The Investigator - Winter 2022 Newsletter
New Open Access Opportunity to Offset Publishing Costs
The Laupus Health Science Library is partnering with Wiley to offer a new open access program to help offset the cost of publishing! ECU is now a participating institution in an open access publishing agreement between Carolina Consortium and Wiley Research Publishing. This means ECU faculty, staff and students have access to Wiley’s subscription journals, and our researchers can have their peer-reviewed, accepted articles published open access in all of Wiley’s 1,400 hybrid journals without direct cost to themselves. Visit Wiley author services or contact Joseph Thomas, assistant director for research and scholarly communication at thomasw@ecu.edu for more on the benefits for researchers from this agreement.
Learn more about Open Access Publishing Support at ECU
NIH Grants YouTube Channel
The NIH offers a searchable repository of YouTube videos covering may different topics related to grants and grant preparations. For example, “Grant Writing For Success” (www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TOMbEjL2wA) is a popular presentation for new & junior investigators that provides insights and helpful hints on preparing an application for submission. Learn how to avoid the most common mistakes in writing grant applications and correct some typical misconceptions about the grant review process.
NIH Salary Cap
Effective January 2, 2022, the new NIH salary cap is $203,700. Previously issued awards that restricted salary the previous salary cap including competing awards already issued in FY2022, if adequate funds are available in active awards, and if the salary cap increase is consistent with the institutional base salary, grantees may rebudget funds to accommodate the current Executive Level II salary level. For more info, visit https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/salcap_summary.htm/
Have a research-related resource to share?
New NIH Biosketch & Other Support Requirements
The NIH has new disclosure requirements for Biographical Sketches and Other Support for selected grant applications, as well as Just-in-Time (JIT) and Research Performance Progress (RPPR) reports.
ALL current positions, domestic AND foreign scientific appointments (including affiliations with foreign entities or governments) must now be included in BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH – SECTION B. Positions, Scientific Appointments and Honors.
Click here for new NIH Biosketch instructions
OTHER SUPPORT pages must include all resources available to a researcher in support of and/or related to ALL their research endeavors, regardless of whether they have any monetary value, or are based at the institution the researcher associates with the current grant. Researchers must provide the NIH with all foreign contracts, grants, affiliations, employment with a foreign institution, or any other agreements specific to the PI and other key/senior personnel.
3 ACTION ITEMS FOR PIs
AND KEY RESEARCH STUDY PERSONNEL:
- Personally sign & retain your original Other Support form.
- Include non-U.S. supporting documentation in JIT/RPPR Other Support packets (note: these documents must be translated into English)
- Obtain & include the same documentation from all award subrecipients.
Check out this NIH resource for a consolidated table indicating when & where to disclose a wide range of activities:
Did you know?
“RESEARCH RESOURCES 101” & “WHAT’S UNDER THE HOOD IN CLINICAL TRIALS”
educational series are returning to BSOM in 2022!
Expert presentations on a variety of research-related topics will be offered at 12 on Wednesdays, stay tuned for future event invites.
RFA: Foundation for Prader-Willi Research
The Foundation for Prader-Willi Research addresses the many issues related to Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), including childhood obesity, developmental delay, psychiatric disorders, and autism spectrum disorders. To that end, the foundation is inviting LOIs for its grants program. Applicants may request up to $150,000 in direct costs for an initial eighteen months of support, with the possibility of a second eighteen-month grant period of funding upon competitive renewal.
LOIs due: March 4, 2022-selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by May 20, 2022
Learn more about the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research Grant Program
RFPs: Helmsley Charitable Trust’s Type 1 Diabetes Program
Understanding Relationships Between Prenatal Development Period and Initiation of Islet Autoimmunity:
One goal of the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust’s Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) program is to support the discovery & development of interventions to prevent or delay the development of T1D. The Helmsley T1D Program will fund studies that aim to understand how the environment experienced during prenatal development influences the development of islet autoimmunity during childhood. Of specific interest is research that includes establishing a cohort during pregnancy (mothers need not have T1D). Requested funding is not to exceed $3 million over three years.
Learn more about the Helmsley Trust-Islet Autoimmunity opportunity
Projects to Help Understand Type 1 Diabetes Natural Protection:
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust’s T1D Program aims to support studies with grants of up to $3 million over three years that aim to therapeutically emulate natural protection from T1D. Of specific interest are plans that include understanding genetic protection from T1D (e.g., HLA-DQB1*06:02); understanding maternal protection from T1D (any factor from mothers with T1D that protect offspring from developing the disease); other examples of natural protection from T1D that are amenable to scientific study; and therapies to prevent/delay T1D that mimic aspects of natural protection.
Learn more about the Helmsley Trust-Natural Protection from T1D opportunity
Concept Notes Due: March 15, 2022-selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by June 1, 2022
RFP: Thrasher Research Fund-Early Career Awards Program
The Thrasher Research Fund is inviting concept papers for its early career awards program. Grants of up to $25,000 will be awarded in support of medical research in children’s health that is conducted by new researchers with oversight by a mentor. The fund is particularly interested in applicants who are physicians in a residency/fellowship training program, or postdoctoral researchers who show great potential for impact in children’s health through medical research.
Key Dates: Concept papers due: March 15 / Invitation to submit: April 8 / Proposal Submission Deadline: May 6, 2022
Learn more about the Thrasher Research Fund for Pediatric Research
Stay Tuned: Wooten Family Initiative for Brain Health Research
Look for an upcoming RFA announcement in early March.
Congrats to Dr. Tonya Zeczycki, inaugural 2021 Wooten Family Grant Recipient!
Project Title: “Preventing the Formation of Toxic α-Synuclein Oligomers: An Alternative Therapeutic Strategy for Slowing the Onset of Parkinson’s Disease”
DID YOU KNOW?
The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations is available to assist interested/eligible faculty with the proposal development process!
OFE Grant Writing Series
The Office of Faculty Excellence is excited that campus partners have come together to offer a Grant Writing Series! If you are interested in attending any of the sessions, register for the sessions that interest you. Some of these sessions will be recorded.
- February 28th: “Developing your Grant Budget“
- March 2nd: “Supports for Grant Writing in your ECU Libraries“
- March 22nd: “Campus Approval &Tracking Processes – the Scoop for PI’s“
- April 4th: “ETRACS Overview“
Research Statistics Workshops
Dr. Hui Bian is offering a helpful series of free statistical workshops via webex. These virtual workshops are open to all ECU faculty, staff, fellows, residents, postdocs, and graduate students! Contact bianh@ecu.edu with any questions.
- March 3rd: “Using Python in Statistics“
- March 16th: “Basic Statistics“
- April 6th: “NVivo Intro“
- April 14th: “Mplus Intro“
Is there an upcoming research-related event your department would like to promote?
NCFDD 14-day Writing Challenge: March 13th-25th
The National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD) is providing an opportunity for faculty and graduate students to experiment with daily writing, benefit from an online community for support, and gain mutual writing accountability.
Register by March 9th (FREE membership available with ECU affiliation) at www.FacultyDiversity.org/Join
Sign up for the NCFDD’s 14-day Writing Challenge
NCURA Webinar-Important Updates on Research Administration Guidance & Processes: March 17th
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about what is new and what is being developed within the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) programs, policies, and budgets. In this comprehensive review, participants will learn about the newest policy updates and how their respective institutions may be impacted. Topics include recent and upcoming changes to NIH policy, compliance requirements, and so much more! Participants will learn about NIH’s budget priorities, new policies and compliance initiatives, gain insight into current issues at NIH, and have the opportunity to address their questions with OMB, NSF & NIH leaders. Contact CMSI@ECU.EDU for free login.
SAGE Research Methods Training Session: March 23rd
Explore a world of research with SAGE Research Methods, which provides access to a wealth of content and tools designed to aid users in meeting various teaching, learning, and research needs. Whether supporting students on their own research projects, incorporating research methods content into a course, providing research help, or preparing your own research for dissemination, SAGE Research Methods’ resources can help with every step of the research process and assist with teaching/learning research methods at every level.
Register for the SAGE Research Methods Training
Research & Creative Achievements Week: April 4th-8th
This year’s RCAW event will be offered in a new hybrid format-this will include in-person and virtual sessions featuring the research and creative activities of our undergraduate and graduate students and post-doctoral scholars from across campus. Consider adding RCAW attendance/viewing to your syllabus as a for-credit or extra credit opportunity for students to engage with each other! If you are interested in serving as a judge or moderator for the presentations, sign up at https://gradschool.ecu.edu/judging-rcaw
Learn more about Research & Creative Achievements Week
GME Research Week: May 25th-27th
This year’s GME Research Week will include in-person poster presentations (limited viewing) and virtual grand rounds. More information to come!
Congratulations to the 5 Brody Brothers Endowment Award Recipients for 2022!
- Dr. Kori Brewer, Emergency Medicine: “Identifying Biomarkers for the Treatment of Chronic Pain”
- Dr. James DeVente, OB/GYN:“Using Technology for Early Detection of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes from Maternal Obesity: improving outcomes for the next generation”
- Dr. Bill Irish, Surgery: “Building a Better Platform to Understand Disparities in Surgical Access through Complex System Science”
- Dr. Espen Spangenburg, Physiology/ECDOI: “BRCA1 Binding Partners in Skeletal Muscle”
- Dr. Li Yang, Internal Medicine: “Investigating the Effects of Anti-Inflammatory Agents in a Severe COVID-19 Mouse Model”
Congratulations to the following PIs on their Major Awards and Other Recognitions in the past 6 months:
- Dr. Shahab Akhter in the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences received clinical trial funding from Allergan
- Dr. Weili Chang in the Department of Pediatrics received clinical trial funding from Paidion Research Inc.
- Dr. Lisandra deCastro-Bras in the Department of Physiology received a grant from the NIH
- Dr. Lisandra deCastro-Bras & Dr. Jitka Virag in the Department of Physiology received a North Carolina Biotechnology Center Award
- Dr. Holly Ellis in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology received a grant from the NSF
- Dr. Beng Fuh in the Department of Pediatrics received research development funding from the University of Alabama-Birmingham & HRSA/MCHB
- Dr. Joseph Geradts in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine received research development funding from Duke University
- Dr. Chris Geyer in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology received a grant from the NIH
- Dr. Jason Hack in the Department of Emergency Medicine was recognized as the American College of Medical Toxicologists’ 2022 Outstanding Researcher!
- Dr. Johanna Hannan in the Department of Physiology received a grant from Augusta University and NIH’s NIDDKD
- Dr. Shaundreal Jamison in the Department of Pediatrics received research development funding from the HRSA/MCHB
- Dr. Brett Keiper in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology received a grant from the NSF
- Dr. Suzanne Lazorick in the Department of Pediatrics received public service funding from the DPH
- Dr. Myon Lee in the Department of Internal Medicine received a grant from the NSF-BIO
- Dr. David Leeser in the Department of Surgery received clinical trial funding from Transplant Genomics Inc.
- Dr. Isabelle Lemasson in the Microbiology and Immunology Department received a grant from the NIH
- Dr. Darla Liles in the Department of Internal Medicine received clinical trial funding from Baxalta US Inc., Chimerix Inc. & Delta-Fly Pharma Inc.
- Dr. Karen Litwa in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology received an R21 grant from the NIH
- Dr. Qun Lu in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology received clinical trial funding from the NIH
- Dr. Ogugua Obi in the Department of Internal Medicine received clinical trial funding from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
- Dr. Reginald Obi in the Department of Internal Medicine received clinical trial funding from Medpace Inc.
- Dr. Frank Parker in the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences received clinical trial funding from Bolton Medical Inc.
- Dr. Syed Saeed in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine received a competitive renewal of the NC-STeP federal appropriation from DHHS-SAMHSA
- Dr. Nasreen Vohra in the Department of Surgery received a Research Scholar Grant (career development) from the American Cancer Society. She is mentored by Dr. Kathryn Verbanac.
Have you or your team received an award recently?
Our expert faculty continue publishing prolifically!
For a list of recent authorships, see:
Have you published a great work recently?
CONGRATULATIONS to our phenomenal students and their mentors on these recent publications
- Sirin Cakir (Physiology student, Dr. de Castro Bras’ lab) published “Novel Techniques Targeting Fibroblasts after Ischemic Heart Injury” in the January 2022 Issue of the Cells Journal.
- Taylor Johnson (Anatomy & Cell Biology student, Dr. Geyer’s lab) published “Aurora A Kinase (AURKA) is required for male germline maintenance and regulates sperm motility in the mouse” in the December 2021 Biology of Reproduction Journal.
- Oleksandr “Sasha” Kirsanov (Anatomy & Cell Biology student, Dr. Geyer’s lab) published “Mammalian SWI/SNF chromatin remodeler is essential for reductional meiosis in males” in the November 2021 Journal of Nature Communications.
- Samantha Palethorpe (Microbiology and Immunology graduate, Dr. Pesci’s lab) published “Acinetobacter baumannii regulates its stress responses via the BfmRS two-component regulatory system,” which was highlighted in the “Spotlight” section of the Journal of Bacteriology.
- Everett Minchew (Physiology student, Dr. Spangenburg’s lab) published “Skeletal muscle wasting: the estrogen side of sexual dimorphism” in the American Journal of Cell Physiology, and “Skeletal Muscle Function is Dependent Upon BRCA1 to Maintain Genomic Stability” in the Journal of Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews.
- Amna Naser (Anatomy & Cell Biology student, Dr. Chen’s lab) has published a book chapter, “Non-tight junction functions of claudin proteins: roles in cell-matrix interactions and stem cell regulations.” Amna N. Naser, Tiaosi Xing, Qun Lu, and Yan-Hua Chen. 2022. In: Tight Junctions. Springer Nature.
- Acacia White*, Rohan Parekh*, Drew Theobald and Ariel Myers (Pharmacology & Toxicology students in Dr. Sriramula’s Lab & Dr. Vandross’s lab, *equal contribution) published “Kinin B1R activation induces endoplasmic reticulum stress in primary hypothalamic neurons” in Frontiers in Pharmacology.
and for their outstanding presentations and recent awards:
- Sirin Cakir (Physiology student, Dr. de Castro Bras’ lab) has had a poster accepted for presentation at the US HUPO 2022: One World Conference.
- Gita Gajjar (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology student, Dr. Keiper’s lab) presented a virtual poster at the International 2021 C. Elegans Conference with the Genetics Society of America.
- Melissa Lempicki (Microbiology & Immunology student, Dr. Meher’s lab) has had their APS/Physiology abstract selected as one of 10 society posters to be featured at the EB Welcome Reception for Experimental Biology 2022.
- Amna Naser (Anatomy & Cell Biology student, Dr. Chen’s lab) has had an abstract selected as a “poster of distinction” for the National Digestive Disease Week Meeting in San Diego, CA-May 2022.
- Wrenn Pallas (Physiology student, Dr. Hannan’s lab) abstract was selected as a “Top 5 Reviewed Abstract” and presented at the Annual Meeting for the Society of Pelvic Research, as well as the International Urogenital Science Meeting.
- Rohan Parekh (Pharmacology & Toxicology student, Dr. Sriramula’s lab) has been accepted for both a poster and oral presentation at the Experimental Biology Meeting in Philadelphia, PA-April 2022.
- Emily Satterwhite (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology student, Dr. Mansfield’s lab) first-authored a 2021 review in Wires RNA, and presented a virtual poster at the 2021 RNA Society Meeting.
- Acacia White (Pharmacology & Toxicology student, Dr. Sriramula’s lab) was selected to receive the Steven M. Horvath Research Recognition Award from the Cardiovascular Section of the American Physiological Society, and has been accepted for a poster presentation at at the Experimental Biology Meeting in Philadelphia, PA-April 2022.
- Madison Williams (Physiology student, Dr. Tulis’ lab) co-first authored a paper (currently submitted for peer review), and will be presenting their original data at the Experimental Biology Meeting in Philadelphia, PA-April 2022.
Are your graduate students celebrating a recent accomplishment?
Where Are They Now? Alumni Check-In!
Dhaval Patel, Ph.D., MBA
Microbiology & Immunology, Class of 2001
Senior Director: Vaccine Development at Pfizer
Tell us a bit about the journey to your current role: I completed my post-doc at Abbott Laboratories in MA working on early discovery autoimmune projects, then spent 16 years with the vaccine division at Sanofi developing immunological assays supporting vaccine characterization. Over the years I supported many vaccine projects spanning C. difficile, pneumococcal, meningococcal, and most recently COVID-19. I joined Pfizer 1.5 years ago as Senior Director of vaccine development, leading several early to late stage vaccine programs (C. difficile, RSV, and mRNA based VZV programs).
How did your graduate education help prepare you for this important work? Excellent mentorship by Dr. Mark Mannie, Dr. Franklin and the faculty at ECU provided me with a really solid foundation for my career.
Do you have a favorite memory from your time at BSOM? It was just nice interacting with graduate students both within and across departments, building relationships and keeping up with them over the years. Organizing pig pickings and competing in various intramural sports with my fellow students-I remember one time we played in a volleyball tournament in the morning, followed by driving to Washington DC to attend an AAI conference in time for a keynote speech-only to learn that someone else in the field has ‘beaten you to the punch’ and is publishing what you discovered and worked on.
Any advice for our current & future graduate students? Don’t give up, really go for your goals. Don’t be afraid to take an unusual path or an industrial post-doctoral fellowship, look ahead to map out your future.
Dr. Jamie DeWitt
Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Why is your research important? I work to understand how environmental chemicals affect the immune system. One class of chemicals that I study are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”). We all are exposed to PFAS and we all have them in our bodies. They are especially concerning to residents of ENC as they’re been found in the Cape Fear River and in drinking water sourced from the Cape Fear River.
What is your favorite movie and/or book? Movie – Dumb and Dumber, book – Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver (bad taste in movies/good taste in books?).
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I volunteer at the NC Estuarium in Washington most Saturday mornings and donate platelets at least once/month. Otherwise boring house projects!
What is a fun fact about you? I really want to learn to skate for flat track roller derby. Before the pandemic I was practicing once/week. Hopefully I’ll get back on skates again soon!
What do you like most about BSOM? I came to BSOM because of its mission and am committed to improving public and environmental health through toxicological research. I like that my personal and professional worldview fits within BSOM’s mission.
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