Newsworthy

SUNY Downstate awarded a prestigious $10M John Lewis NIMHD Research Endowment Grant by the NIH to continue the TRANSPORT Program

In a resounding affirmation of its commitment to tackling health disparities, Downstate has been awarded a renewal endowment grant from NIMHD totaling $10 million, which funds the TRANSPORT (Translational Program of Health Disparities Research Training) Program. Building on the successes of the original $10 million endowment from NIMHD in 2017, TRANSPORT II will continue the goals and success of TRANSPORT, focussing on cultivating health equity researchers from underrepresented backgrounds in the biomedical sciences. TRANSPORT II will amplify efforts across six existing research training programs and lead four new initiatives, all dedicated to addressing acute health disparities within Brooklyn communities, and support trainee curriculums across the educational spectrum.

In addition to training students and new academic researchers, TRANSPORT II will establish Community Science Cafés—a venue for promoting research literacy where community partners receive training on principles of community-based participatory research and grantsmanship. The Cafés will be led in partnership with the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health, a nationally renowned organization dedicated to improving urban health and well-being named after the famous tennis player Arthur Ashe.

“Health disparities in underserved communities remain a global and pervasive issue where they are disproportionately burdened by a lack of access to quality healthcare, economic disadvantages, and research initiatives. Congressman John Lewis dedicated his life to fairness and equity, including the right to affordable healthcare. We are honored by this namesake grant that will enhance our collective efforts to provide access to groups underrepresented in scientific research and inform the most impactful ways to address health disparities in the future,” said Downstate President Wayne J. Riley, M.D., and Principal Investigator (PI) on the grant.

Grant PIs Drs. Lambert, Riley, Salifu, and Boutin-Foster, are joined by Marlene Camacho-Rivera, ScD, MS, MPH, Student Affairs Assistant Dean, and Community Health Sciences assistant professor, and Mohamed Boutjdir, Ph.D, as Co-Investigators for the grant. Pamela Straker, Ph.D., Ayesha Joshi, Ph.D. and Lakia Maxwell, MSCH, will provide additional research and administrative support to TRANSPORT II. Congratulating the team on their success, David Christini, Ph.D., Senior VP for Research at Downstate said “Downstate earning the original TRANSPORT grant was a vote of confidence by NIMHD in the opportunities and promise of the program. Getting renewed via TRANSPORT II is a greater accomplishment, as it is an endorsement of impressive accomplishments, a strong team, and continued opportunity. NIMHD sees Downstate as an institution that merits its continued deep investment.”

More details in the Downstate press release.

The Board of Trustees of the Alumni Association & Fund, announce the College of Medicine students who have been selected for the 2023-2024 Alumni Fund Full Year Research Scholarship Grant

Since 2002, the Alumni Fund of the Alumni Association-College of Medicine has been offering a scholarship to support full-time research for medical students. This scholarship provides monetary support up to $40,000 for a student(s) during their full-time research. This year, the review committee, chaired by Dr. Richard Sadovsky '74, and joined by Drs. Riccardo Bianchi and Jenny Libien '01, selected 3 students. In first place Jennifer Wang, followed by a tie for the second place, between Alex Liu and Leon Kamen. Each student will conduct full-time research for one academic year. The names of winners and research topics are listed below.

Jennifer Wang

Project Title: "Evaluating the Benefit of Sotyktu for Plaque Psoriasis in Skin of Color. The laboratory where this research is to be done is SUNY Downstate Medical Center.

Alex Liu

Project Title: "Preclinical targeting of Neutrophil Extracellular Trap formation with Disulfiram in the Pathogenesis of Colorectal Cancer with Metastatic Liver Disease in murine models." The laboratory where this research is to be done is Northwell Health & Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories.
Leon Kamen:

Project Title: "A Longitudinal Study of Functional Ocular Changes in Rhesus Macaques." The laboratory where this research is to be done is Advanced Ophthalmic Imaging Laboratory, NYU Langone/ SUNY Downstate.

From Left to Right: Dr. Sadovsky, Jennifer Wang, Alex Liu and Leon Kamen.

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Weill Cornell Medicine, And Columbia University Receive a $9.8M National Cancer Institute Grant To Target Cancer Disparities

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Weill Cornell Medicine, and Columbia University have joined forces in a partnership to make an impact on cancer research and health equity. These institutions are among the select few to receive funding for new research Centers, aligned with the goals of the Biden-Harris Administration's Cancer Moonshot initiative.

The $9.8 million grant, led by Weill Cornell Medicine's Center for Social Capital (SoCa), will fuel innovative projects over the next five years. The focus is bridging health disparities and preventing cancer in Black/African American, Caribbean American, and Hispanic communities in North-Central Brooklyn, Washington Heights, Western Queens, and the South Bronx.

SoCa's approach includes multigenerational cancer awareness, survivorship, and health equity initiatives. The center's commitment to reducing cancer health inequities will foster multigenerational health education, while also promoting diversity within the healthcare workforce. By engaging youth in educational programs and training researchers and faculty, SoCa is set to drive transformative change.

Marlene Camacho-Rivera, ScD, MS, MPH, will lead the Developmental Core with co-investigators Carla Boutin-Foster, M.D., and W. Marcus Lambert, Ph.D.

The sixth SPRINTER Annual Research Symposium celebrates undergraduate scholars

The SPRINTER research program, funded by TRANSPORT provides an opportunity to undergraduate students to work on a research project with experienced Downstate faculty. Over the course of the summer, students work diligently to explore diverse fields, conduct experiments, analyze data, and gain valuable insights into their chosen domains. The program culminates in a research symposium, where students present their work to the entire Downstate community.

The symposium was not only a platform for showcasing research but also a forum for learning. Attendees had the chance to engage in insightful discussions with the student presenters, providing valuable feedback and fostering intellectual growth. Moreover, this event encouraged networking and collaboration among participants, promoting a sense of community among our bright young scholars.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the students, mentors, staff, and sponsors who contributed to the success of this year' SPRINTER Research Symposium. Their commitment to academic excellence and pursuit of knowledge continues to inspire us. As we conclude this year's program, we eagerly anticipate the future accomplishments of our undergraduate researchers. The knowledge, skills, and passion they have cultivated throughout this program are sure to make a positive impact in their chosen fields. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey of academic curiosity and discovery. We look forward to seeing you again next summer for another outstanding SPRINTER Research Symposium.

Research topics of students and their mentors

CAREER CHOICE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH GRADUATES
Mentee: Hamed Bamba; Mentor: Dr. Marcus Lambert

PATTERNS AND ASSOCIATIONS OF TELEHEALTH UTILIZATION AND PATIENT PROVIDER COMMUNICATION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Mentees: Destiny Johnson and Terrianna Lloyd; Mentor: Dr. Marlene Camacho-Rivera

THE IMPACT A STUDENT’S CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY HAS ON AN ACADEMIC FIELDWORK COORDINATOR’S DECISION ON FIELDWORK PLACEMENT
Mentees: Ali Abdehalem, Cora DuBois; Mentors: Dr. Shushawna DeOliveira, Dr. Efekona Nuwere

FIREARM INJURY-RELATED INPATIENT COSTS AND INSURANCE PAYER TYPE FROM 2003-2020
Mentees: Marukh Sana and Gozienna Okeke, Mentor: Dr. Sherene Sharath

THE EFFECTS OF HUR DEPLETION AND SMOKE EXPOSURE ON CYCLIN D1
Mentees: Chyanne John and Kevin Aguilar; Mentor: Dr. Robert Foronjy

PSA SCREENING AND VACCINATION INTAKE: IS THERE AN ASSOCIATION?
Mentees: Amari Clarke and Morgan West; Mentor: Dr. Rose Calixte

WITH THE USE OF THE BKHI SURVEY, RESPONSES SUPPORTED THE PRESENCE OF HEALTH INEQUITIES IN THE PATIENT CARE EXPERIENCE
Mentee: Azamat Davlyatov and Taylor Lyles; Mentor: Dr. Montgomery Douglas

THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT AND STRESS LEVELS FOR THOSE LIVING IN THE CENTRAL BROOKLYN AREA
Mentees: Valerie Chateau and Gelder Gonzalez; Mentor: Dr. Crystal Marquez

A PILOT STUDY ON LOWERING THE MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES IN THE POC POPULATION
Mentees: Tishan Roye and Monica Jacobs; Mentor: Dr. Marie Claire-Roberts

EFFECTS OF PULMONARY TYPE 2 CELL-SPECIFIC LRP1 DEFICIENCY ON ADIPOSE AND LIVER INFLAMMATION
Mentees: Kimone Cox and Amrin Rahman; Mentor: Dr. Itasos Garcia-Arcos

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