Cancer researcher Steven Offer, PhD investigates the genetic factors that increase the risk of a toxic reaction to the cancer drug Fluorouracil (5-FU). 5-FU, used since the 1970s to treat many cancers including colorectal, stomach, breast and cervical cancer, can be toxic to certain patients. While many cancer drugs can be toxic, what sets 5-FU apart is that severe illness and death is largely preventable.

Dr. Marco Hefti received a five-year NIH R01 award entitled “A non-canonical role for tau in early human brain development” from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The award totals $561,007 and the project starts May 1, 2024 and concludes February 28, 2029.

April's recipients include: Jennifer Hinkhouse, Kristen Milton, and Ashley Tritthardt.

Rachel Fitzjerrells, a Bioinformatics and Computational Biology PhD student in the Mangalam Lab, won the prestigious Max Smith Oral Presentation Award at the 71st Iowa Section AADOCR on February 13th, 2024. Her presentation, “Machine Learning Approach Identifies Dysbiotic Oral Communities in Multiple Sclerosis,” explored innovative methods for analyzing the oral microbiome. Rachel's presentation was selected as the best from over 40 graduate student and post-doctoral presentations, demonstrating her excellent communication skills, cutting-edge research, and engaging delivery.

Dr. Kai Rogers received the Best Abstract Award from the American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) for his abstract titled "A Murine Model of Extracorporeal Photopheresis as a Targeted Immunotherapy for Multiple Sclerosis," co-authored with Drs. Kathryn Eschbacher, Alexander Boyden, and Nitin Karandikar.

Research on radiation-induced loss and regeneration of influenza-specific lung T resident memory by Mariah Hassert, Lecia Epping, Stephanie van de Wall and Madison Mix in the Harty lab and Mohammad Heidarian in the Badovinac lab was recently published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.

Dr. Leslie Bruch Appointed as the New Faculty Co-Director for Flocks Learning Community in the Carver College of Medicine

The American Board of Pathology (ABPath) is pleased to announce the appointment of Bradley Ford, M.D. Ph.D, to the ABPath’s Test Development and Advisory Committee (TDAC) for Medical Microbiology beginning in 2024. The TDACs are responsible for developing and reviewing the ABPath certification exam questions that assess and certify a physician’s education, knowledge, experience, and skills in order to provide high-quality care in pathology.

Dr. Steven Offer joined UI Pathology on January 8, 2024 as an Associate Professor. Dr. Offer received his Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology & Genetics from the University of Minnesota in 2009.

February's recipients include the Mailouts Team.