News
BUSM and VA Researchers Discover Dissociative Subtype of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
A recent study by Erika J. Wolf, PhD, and Principal Investigator Mark W. Miller, PhD, both from the National Center for PTSD at the VA Boston Healthcare System and Department of Psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), found an association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dissociation. The findings, published in the Archives... More
BUSM In Vitro Study Identifies Potential Combination Therapy for Breast Cancer
A study conducted at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) demonstrates an effective combination therapy for breast cancer cells in vitro. The findings, published in the July 2012 issue of Anticancer Research, raise the possibility of using this type of combination therapy for different forms of breast cancer, including those that develop resistance to chemotherapy... More
Researchers Find Abuse During Childhood and Adolescence may Contribute to Obesity in Adulthood
Investigators from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and Boston University’s Slone Epidemiology Center report research findings that may shed light on influences on obesity during adulthood. Appearing in the journal Pediatrics, the study found an association of severity of sexual and physical abuse during childhood and adolescence with obesity during adulthood. The findings were based... More
BUSM Study Finds Genes Associated with Hippocampal Atrophy
In a genome-wide association (GWA) study, researchers from Boston University Schools of Medicine (BUSM) and Public Health (BUSPH) have identified several genes which influence degeneration of the hippocampus, the part of the brain most associated with Alzheimer disease (AD). The study, which currently appears online as a Rapid Communication in the Annals of Neurology, demonstrates... More
BUSM Study Finds Gout and Hyperuricemia on the Rise in the U.S.
Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) researchers have found that the incidence of gout and hyperuricemia (high uric acid levels) in the U.S. has risen significantly over the last 20 years and is associated with major medical disorders like hypertension and chronic kidney disease. The study, which is published in the American Journal of Medicine, More
BUSM Study Shows Role of Cellular Protein in Regulation of Binge Eating
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have demonstrated in experimental models that blocking the Sigma-1 receptor, a cellular protein, reduced binge eating and caused binge eaters to eat more slowly. The research, which is published online in Neuropsychopharmacology, was led by Pietro Cottone, PhD, and Valentina Sabino, PhD, both assistant professors in the... More
Bradford Towne Joins GSDM
On May 21, Dr. Bradford M. Towne joined the full time faculty of the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) and Boston Medical Center (BMC). His responsibilities will include pre-doctoral and post-doctoral education at GSDM and outpatient clinical care in the Yawkey-5 clinic at... More
BUMC Toastmasters News, New Members Welcome
This month the Boston University Medical Campus (BUMC) Toastmasters chapter achieved “distinguished” status. Toastmasters International has a list of ten benchmarks that it uses to assess clubs and those clubs that attain five of the benchmarks are considered distinguished. Some of the benchmarks achieved by this club include several members achieving “Competent Leadership” status, club... More
SURP Empowers Budding Undergraduate Research Scientists
What is SURP? SURP is the Summer Undergraduate Research Program, a ten week research and mentoring experience with Division of Graduate Medical Sciences faculty. The cohort is academically talented students from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds who are interested in preparing for professional roles as research scientists . SURP was launched in the summer of 2010 under the leadership of Associate Provost Linda Hyman, PhD. In addition to a mentored research experience, students attend weekly science talks, participate in a journal club, go on science-oriented field trips, and present their research in a summer research symposium. The 2012 symposium will be held on Aug. 2. More
June 19 Workshop, Working in a Multicultural Group
The Graduate Medical Sciences Office of Postdoctoral Affairs is pleased to host Anne P. Copeland, PhD, founder and cxecutive director of The Interchange Institute, a non-profit organization focused on the understanding and support of people and organizations in intercultural transition. She will conduct a workshop on Working in a Multicultural Group, Tuesday, June 19... More
BUMC Study Finds Mass. Health Reform Leads to Increased Inpatient Surgical Procedures
Researchers from Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health (BUSM, BUSPH), along with the VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School, have found inpatient medical procedures increased more among non-elderly, lower- and medium- income populations, Hispanics and whites, after health care reform went into effect in Massachusetts. The findings, which currently appear in... More
Attend TBI/PTSI Lecture, Reception, Poster Session, June 28
In honor of Naval Week, Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and the VA Boston are holding the inaugural Joining Forces United Front Consortium TBI/PTSI Lecture Series. Of particular note is a lecture on "The Naval Response to TBI and PTSD” presented by Rear Admiral Elaine Wagner, DDS and neurologist James P. Kelly, MD. ... More
GSDM Employee Recognition Reception Recognizes Long-Serving Faculty and Staff
On May 29, Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter and Mrs. Kathy Hutter hosted a reception honoring Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) retirees and those that have served the School for 25 years. “As we acknowledge and recount all that these individuals do to contribute to the success of our students, patients, and... More
BUMC Researchers Find Alcohol Plays No Role in Disclosing HIV Status Among Russians
Disclosure of HIV positive serostatus to sexual partners is considered an important public health goal to prevent new infections. Disclosure can motivate sex partners to make informed choices and change behavior through negotiation of safer sex practices. It might also prompt partner testing and counseling. A team of Boston University Medical Campus (BUMC) researchers representing the... More
William Bicknell, Iconoclastic International Health Professor, 1936-2012
Dr. William J. Bicknell, an outspoken, inspirational professor of international health who sought to "make people hurt less," has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 75. Bicknell, who died Tuesday night at his home in Marshfield, Mass., was the founder and chair emeritus of the Department of International Health at the School of... More
CGHD’s Simon Presents Malaria Report to Congress – Research team finds PMI program “very successful”
The CGHD’s Jonathon Simon, who with a team of researchers collaborated on a top-level evaluation of the President’s Malaria Initiative, will give a presentation today on Capitol Hill on the findings, hosted by two Congressional caucuses. In Rwanda, a network of 60,000 community health workers trained in managing malaria has been credited with helping to reduce... More
GSDM Commencement Holds Special Significance for Many
On Friday, May 19, 2012, GSDM honored new graduates at the School’s 48th annual Convocation. The late afternoon ceremony boasted approximately 190 DMD and 77 post-doctoral student participants. Dean of Marsh Chapel Reverend Dr. Robert Allan Hill began the ceremony with an invocation. Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter followed by welcoming the graduating students, family and friends, More
Tsuneya Ikezu to Participate in Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Symposia
Tsuneya Ikezu, PhD has been invited to participate in the satellite symposia of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) "Cognitive Enhancement in Health and Disease," taking place in Spain in July. He will speak on “Enhancement of Neurogenesis and Cognitive Function by Adeno-Associated Virus-Mediated Gene Therapy in Animal Models of Alzheimer's.” This event is designed... More
Twenty-four Graduating Students and Two Faculty Members Join Ranks of National Honor Dental Society OKU
The GSDM Lambda Mu Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society (OKU) held its 5th annual OKU Induction Ceremony on May 10, at the BU Trustee Ballroom. The induction was presided over by Dean Jeffrey Hutter and OKU chapter President Dr. Stephen Polins and Secretary Ms. Catherine Sarkis. Students inducted into OKU included: Shruti... More
Hui Feng Named Plenary Session Presenter at International Genetics Meeting
Hui Feng, MD, PhD will be a plenary session presenter at the International Zebrafish Genetics and Development Meeting being held at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in June. Dr. Feng will be speaking on Zebrafish Genetic Screens Identify DLST as a Potential Novel Therapeutic Target of Human Acute T-Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma. She is the director of... More
238 Degrees Conferred at BUSM’s 165th Commencement
As a sea of red robes envelopes the Boston University Charles River Campus during commencement weekend, the MD and PhD graduates of the School of Medicine and its Division of Graduate Medical Sciences stand out with their dark green and deep blue lapels and hoods that signify their course of study. For the 238... More
Graduates Urged to Reposition Public Health as a 'Big Voice' in Health Care
They will be called many things as they head out into the world with their public health degrees -- dreamers, do-gooders, idealists. But as they received their diplomas Saturday night, the BU School of Public Health Class of 2012 was called upon to show some muscle. "You're the Rodney Dangerfield of all professions. You don't get... More
March with BUMC at the Boston LGBT Pride Parade, June 9
The Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs invites the BUMC community to march with "PRIDE" and show support for LGBT students, faculty and staff in the Annual Boston LGBT Pride Parade on Saturday, June 9. Showing your support for LGBT friends and colleagues reaffirms our openness and strengthens the diverse fabric of our institution. “The parade... More
Study Shows First Case Series of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy in Blast-Exposed Military Service Personnel and Mechanism of Injury in Blast Neurotrauma
nvestigators from Boston University (BU) and the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System have shown evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in brain tissue from blast-exposed military service personnel. Laboratory experiments conducted by the investigators demonstrated that exposure to a single blast equivalent to a typical improvised explosive device (IED) results in CTE and long-term brain impairments that accompany the disease. They also found that the blast wind, not the shock wave, from the IED blast leads to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and long-term consequences, including CTE. More
Researcher, Surgical Oncologist Receives National Award
Maureen T. Kavanah, MD, an Associate Professor of Surgery at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and a surgical oncologist at Boston Medical Center (BMC), has received the prestigious 2012 National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) Distinguished Investigator Lifetime Achievement Award for her extraordinary contributions and meritorious service to the NSABP in support... More