News Capsules Feb. 1, 2006

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Nearly 400 people, a record number, attended the U’s annual legislative briefing on Jan. 25, getting a preview of the session that starts March 1. The University has requested $206.1 million in state bonding for campus building projects. Counting its own proposed contribution, the U’s total 2006 capital request is for $269.1 million. Of that, $80 million would be used for maintenance and upgrades of existing buildings, $39.9 million for expansion of the Carlson School of Business, $23 million for the proposed Labovitz School of Business and Economics on the Duluth campus, $62 million for the Science Teaching and Student Services Center on the Twin Cities campus, and $60 million for a Medical Biosciences Building adjacent to the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research building. Last month, Gov. Tim Pawlenty recommended only $127.6 million in state funds. For more information, go to  http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/U_kicks_off_legislative_advocacy_efforts.html.

NEWS

There’s hope for pathological gamblers in the form of a new treatment. Nearly 60 percent of those who took the drug nalmefene, in a University study, reported significant reductions in their gambling urges, thoughts, and behaviors, according to lead researcher Jon Grant, Medical School, psychiatry. “This is a giant leap forward for adults who suffer from pathological gambling,” Grant said. “This research potentially has implications for other addictive behaviors as well.” Read more at http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/gambling020106 or at the Star Tribune at http://www.startribune.com/484/story/217937.html.

Medical School researchers have discovered the gene responsible for a type of ataxia, an incurable degenerative brain disease affecting movement and coordination. The finding has historical implications as well: The gene has been identified in at least 11 generations of President Abraham Lincoln’s family. Whether Lincoln himself had ataxia remains unknown, but many suspect he did, partly because of his awkward gait. “We are excited about this discovery because it provides a genetic test that will lead to improved patient diagnoses and gives us new insight into the causes of ataxia and other neurodegenerative diseases, an important step towards developing an effective treatment,” said Laura Ranum, Medical School, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development. Read more at http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/ataxia012406/ or in the Star Tribune at http://www.startribune.com/1244/story/198437.html.

How will the U know when it has reached its goal of becoming a top-three public research university? That’s what the Metrics and Measurement Task Force has grappled with since last fall. The task force has identified a limited number of standard benchmarks. Other proposed measures include student participation in public engagement activities, retention and graduation rates for undergraduates, and time-to-degree rates for graduate students. “As a public research university, we aim not only for exceptional research but also for exceptional education for our students and public engagement that enriches the community," said Senior Vice President and Provost Tom Sullivan. Read the story at  http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Reaching_the_top_three.html.

Two School of Nursing fellowships have been established. One is the Lucille Casas Paradela International Fellowship, which will provide support for graduate students and opportunities for students to enhance leadership skills and impact health care by participating in the activities of the Katharine J. Densford International Center for Nursing Leadership. The second fellowship was created by Anna Zenkovich, in memory of her parents Wladimar and Paulina Zenkovich. The fellowship has qualified for matching University funds and will support nursing students pursuing graduate studies in public health nursing or nurse anesthesia.

On Friday, Feb. 3, the School of Nursing will hold its third annual Lighting the Lamp of Compassion and Knowledge Ceremony. This ceremony marks the entry of year-one students into the clinical portion of their education. Creative HealthCare Management’s President Emerita Marie Manthey will address the history, compassion, and knowledge of nursing and its covenant with society. Refreshments will follow the ceremony.

Business leaders from across the country are coming to Minneapolis Feb. 14-15 to attend the Business Planning for Pandemic Influenza National Summit. They will join government leaders and health experts in a timely and practical discussion of how to effectively and efficiently prepare businesses for pandemic influenza. Speakers include Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt, former secretary Tommy Thompson, and Michael Osterholm, director of the University’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP). The event is co-sponsored by CIDRAP, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. A detailed agenda and online registration are available at http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/summit.

The closing of the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview lobby has been postponed two weeks. Current plans call for the lobby to close Feb. 15 for renovation.  During the closure, staff should use the Mayo building main entrance or the Diehl Plaza entrance on the medical center’s north side. Staff should be dropped off and picked up at the Mayo building circle. Patients and visitors will use the tunnel between the parking ramp and medical center and the south-side entrance to the Masonic Cancer Center. Valet parking will continue to be offered in the hospital circle.

PEOPLE

The Minnesota Medical Foundation has won the Award of Excellence for its Web site redesign from the Association of American Medical Colleges. The project Web team includes Lynsey Struthers, Chris Gottshall, and Jerry Paugh. Writing and editing was done by Nicole Christiansen and Catherine Henry, and the online giving process and functionality was led by Stacey Behm, Cindy Kaiser, and Charlie Zaugg. Many others contributed in the testing the site.

Beth Virnig, School of Public Health, health services research and policy, has been named a member of the Health Policy Research Priorities Advisory Group for the American Cancer Society’s research program.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The AHC Office of Clinical Research is accepting applications for clinical and translational research program summer fellowships. Applications are due Feb. 15. These paid fellowships will provide training in clinical and translational research for predoctoral AHC students (D.D.S., D.V.M., M.D., Pharm.D., or Ph.D.). The 8-10 week program begins mid-June. During this time, fellows will work with established investigators on an ongoing clinical or translational research project. Applicants will be matched with mentors based on the applicants’ needs and interests. Small group weekly seminars will also be held, focusing on research ethics, good clinical practice, grant writing, and the responsible conduct of research. Those currently pursuing a predoctoral health professional degree in dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health, or veterinary medicine are eligible. For more information and to access the application, go to http://www.ahc.umn.edu/ocr/fellowship. For questions about eligibility, please contact Becky Moen at 612-625-2691 or ramoen@umn.edu.

Apply now through April 7 for an AHC Seed Grant of up to $25,000. The program is intended to support new initiatives in a faculty member's research. Fifteen awards will be made. Details are at http://www.ahc.umn.edu/research/funding/seedgrants.

“Pathways to Understanding: Raising Children with FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder)—A Seminar with John Hays” takes place at 4 p.m., Feb. 2, in the Mississippi Room of Coffman Union. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served at 4 p.m., followed by the film at 4:15 p.m. and a question and answer session. The film was developed by University of Minnesota, Duluth, associate professor of theater Bill Payne in conjunction with John and Holiday Hays, founders of the Hayskids Foundation and adoptive parents of 14 children—10 of whom have FASD.

Save the date: “Writing Winning Grants,” offered April 4 by the AHC Office of Clinical Research, is a day-long workshop for AHC faculty and research staff involved in clinical and translational research. The course, led by David Morrison, successful grant writer and co-founder of Grant Writers’ Seminars and Workshops, L.L.C., will offer guidance on all aspects on grant writing, focusing on the NIH (with supplementary information on the NSF). Further information, including registration, will be sent in the next few weeks, or visit www.ahc.umn.edu/ocr.

“Strategies for Publishing in the Best Journals: Personal Reflections” will be presented by Jerome P. Kassirer on Thursday, Feb. 23, 12:10 to 1 p.m. in room 2-620 Moos Tower. Light lunch will be served. The presentation is part of the Distinguished Visiting Scholar Series of the Academic Health Center Office of Clinical Research.  Kassirer is the former editor-in chief, New England Journal of Medicine, Distinguished Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine and adjunct professor of medicine and bioethics, Case Western Reserve University, On March 29, David J. Kupfer, will present “The Road to Successful Clinical Research: A Case Study in Pittsburgh.” Kupfer is the Thomas Detre Professor and chair, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh and director of research at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, For more information on the series, contact Susan Jackson at sjackson@umn.edu.

Save the date: The third annual “Building Minnesota’s Healthcare Workforce through Diversity: Strategies for Success” takes place May 22. The conference is sponsored by Augsburg College, University of Minnesota Academic Health Center, Fairview Health Services, and Healthcare Education Industry Partnership. To check out information from past conferences, visit http://www.augsburg.edu/healthcare.

Relay For Life Kick-Off: One day. One night. One community. Relay For Life is about celebration, remembrance, and hope. By participating, you honor cancer survivors, pay tribute to the lives we've lost to the disease, and raise money to help fight it--all right here at the University of Minnesota on April 21-22 at the Field House. For more information, visit http://www.acsevents.org/relay/mn/uofm or contact Jenny Meslow at meslo001@umn.edu.

The American Heart Association has declared Friday, Feb. 3, 2006 as “National Wear Red Day.” The day is part of a nationwide movement to empower women to love--and save--their hearts through lifestyle choices and actions. Information will be available between 11 a.m. and 1 pm. in the cafeterias of the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview (East Bank and Riverside), and in the Phillips-Wangensteen Building lobby in front of the Cardiovascular Center.

The Bio-Medical Library recently subscribed to two exciting electronic resources: Anatomy.tv and ACP’s Physicians’ Information and Education Resource (ACP PIER). Anatomy.tv is the world’s most detailed 3D model of human anatomy. Any image or selected text can be printed or exported into programs like PowerPoint or Word for private educational use. ACP’s PIER is a Web-based, evidence-based guidance tool from the American College of Physicians. Its purpose is to improve clinical care. To access these resources, go to http://www.biomed.lib.umn.edu/bms.html. Questions or comments? Contact the Bio-Medical Library Reference Desk (medref@umn.edu, 612-626-3260, or in person).

The Bio-Medical Library will be offering a variety of class sessions during spring semester. Stop by the library to pick up a schedule or visit http://www.biomed.lib.umn.edu/inst/lcclasslistcat.html.