Clinical medicine

Chengcheng Hu, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor, Public Health and Director, Biostatistics, Phoenix campus at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona. He is also Director of the Biometry Core on the Chemoprevention of Skin Cancer Project at the University of Arizona Cancer Center. Hu has worked on multiple federal grants in a broad range of areas including cancer, occupational health, HIV/AIDS, and aging. In addition to extensive experience in collaborative research, he has conducted methodological research in the areas of survival analysis, longitudinal data, high-dimensional data, and measurement error. His current methodological interest, arising from studies of viral and human genetics and biomarkers, is to develop innovative methods to investigate the relationship between high-dimensional information and longitudinal outcomes or survival endpoints. Hu joined the UA Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health in 2008. Prior to this he was an assistant professor of Biostatistics at the Harvard School of Public Health from 2002 to 2008. While at Harvard, he also served as senior statistician in the Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group (PACTG) and the International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials Group (IMPAACT). Hu received his Ph.D. and M.S. in Biostatistics from the University of Washington and a M.A. in Mathematics from the Johns Hopkins University.

David Harris, PhD, occupies research efforts directed at the application of (cord blood and adipose) stem cells to transplantation, regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. The difficulty in locating bone marrow donors for patients needing transplants, particularly for minority patients, led to the investigation of other potential sources of stem cells. One such source that has become a viable alternative to bone marrow is umbilical cord blood. Not only has the use of cord blood allowed more patients to go to transplant due to less restrictive matching requirements between donor and recipient, but cord blood transplants are associated with fewer post-transplant complications, such as a lower incidence and severity of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). In 1989, he began work on the use of cord blood for transplantation, which led to the establishment of the first cord blood bank in the United States in 1992, which is currently the largest such establishment in existence. Work continues today using animal models for cord blood transplantation to explore such research areas as graft-versus-leukemia, GVHD, regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications. However, studies performed in his lab examining the use of cord blood stem cells in regenerative medicine is now our major emphasis. Work in regenerative medicine has focused on several specific areas of interest. The first area is the use of stem cells in an ischemia/reperfusion injury model of myocardial infarction in a rat model, with positive results. Efforts are underway to understand the molecular mechanisms involved and to derive small molecule drugs in collaboration with Dr. M. Gaballa at Sun Health Research Institute. Secondly, Dr. Harris has been successful in deriving epithelial tissues in vitro that mimic corneal tissues, both morphologically and histologically. When transplanted in vivo in rabbits, the tissues are equivalent to cadaver corneas in terms of sight restoration and function. Dr. Harris and his team are currently developing a human-to-human eye model that will avoid some of the xenogeneic complications associated with the rabbit model, in conjunction with the Dept. of Ophthalmology.Third, they have successfully derived glial, astrocyte and oligodendrocyte cell types from cord blood stem cells in vitro. Currently, these cells are used to study pediatric HIV infection at the molecular level, but are also amenable to work in Parkinson’s and spinal cord injury models. Dr. Harris is now collaborating with Dr. Madhavan of Neurology to study Parkinson’s disease and with Dr. Rogers of Stanford Research Institute to study Alzheimer’s disease. Fourth, recent work has begun comparing various stem cells sources (cord blood, bone marrow and adipose tissue) for the capacity to be used in regenerative medicine. Finally, over the past year they have investigated the use of cord blood stem cells for epithelial wound healing, with the goal being the treatment of non-healing wounds and ulcers in diabetic and bed-ridden patients. It has been found that injections of bone marrow stem cells, both intravenously as well as in the wound margins, significantly reduce healing time as well as minimizing scar formation. Of interest, the age of the recipient plays a significant role in wound healing. Keywords: stem cells, regenerative medicine, biobanking

Stefano Guerra, MD, PhD, is a professor of Medicine, the Director of the Population Science Unit at the Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, and a leading expert in the natural history and biomarkers of obstructive lung diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). As principal investigator, he is engaged in the leadership and coordination of multiple studies that use bio-specimens and phenotypic information from independent epidemiological cohorts to characterize the natural history, profile the risk factors, and identify novel biomarkers of lung diseases.

Current projects include:The Bone, Estrogen and Strength Training (BEST) study, a randomized prospective study of the effects of hormone replacement therapy on bone mineral density, soft tissue composition, and muscle strength in postmenopausal women (National Institutes of Health). The Profile-based Internet-linked Obesity Treatment study (PILOT), a randomized study of internet support for weight maintenance after weight loss in peri-menopausal women (National Institutes of Health). The Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls (TAAG) study, a multi-center, school-based activity trial designed to prevent the usual decline in physical activity in adolescent girls (National Institutes of Health). The Adequate Calcium Today (ACT) study, a randomized multi-center study of a behavioral intervention to promote healthy eating, calcium intake and bone development in adolescent girls (United States Department of Agriculture). The Healthy Weight in Adolescents study, a randomized, multi-center study of the effects of a science-based curriculum focused on concepts of energy balance on body weight and composition in adolescent boys and girls (United States Department of Agriculture). The KNEE study, a randomized clinical trial of the effects of resistance exercise on disease progression, pain, and functional capacity in osteoarthritis patients (National Institutes of Health). The STRONG study, a randomized clinical trial of the effects of resistance exercise and Remicaid on disease progression, pain, muscle strength and functional capacity in rheumatoid arthritis patients (Centocor, Inc.). Partners for Healthy Active Children, Campañeros Para Niños Sano y Actives, designed to create and implement research-based physical education and nutrition curricula at YMCA after-school programs and Sunnyside District elementary schools, in alignment with the State o Arizona , Health and Physical Activity standards (Carol M. White Physical Education Program CFDA #84.215F). Longitudinal Changes in Hip Geometry, an observational and experimental cohort study of changes in muscle mass, hip structural parameters and hip bone strength in middle-aged and older women in the Women's Healthy Initiative study (National Institutes of Health).

Dr. Garcia is an authority on the genetic basis of inflammatory lung disease (with an emphasis on health disparities) and on the mechanistic basis of lung vascular permeability. Using bench-to-bedside approaches, his lab has explored novel methods to prevent vascular leak and to restore endothelial cell barrier function and vascular integrity. This expertise in lung inflammation and vascular permeability provides a natural linkage to interrogation of lung vascular contribution to the development of lung metastases. Leveraging their genomic expertise, in recent years, Dr. Garcia's lab has identified vascular genes whose products are key participants in inflammatory lung injury that also play a role in cancer development. They have developed lung endothelial inflammatory gene expression profiles as well as diagnostic gene signatures influenced by MYLK and NAMPT that impact lung and breast cancer prognosis. This work with NAMPT led to development of a therapeutic NAMPT neutralizing antibody that has shown promise in treating lung cancer, melanoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Finally, Dr. Garcia's lab is also interested in the untoward effect of thoracic radiation and has been examining strategies designed to attenuate radiation–induced pneumonits, fibrosis and vascular leak. These collaborative and highly translational cancer research efforts have bolstered the overall mission of the University of Arizona Cancer Center.

Dr. Galgiani has focused his career on Arizona’s special problems with Valley Fever. His work has included studies of the impact of Valley Fever on the general population and on special groups such as organ transplant recipients and patients with AIDS. For 19 years, as part of the NIH-sponsored Mycoses Study Group, Dr. Galgiani has been the project director of a coccidioidomycosis clinical trials group. Through collaboration, this group has evaluated new therapies for Valley Fever more rapidly and with greater clarity than might otherwise have been possible by investigators working in isolation. Dr. Galgiani has also been involved with efforts to prevent Valley Fever through vaccination. His group discovered and patented a recombinant antigen which is the basis for a vaccine candidate suitable for further development and clinical trials. Most recently, he has become the project leader for developing a new drug, nikkomycin Z, for treating Valley Fever. With recent NIH and FDA grant awards, clinical trials with this drug were resumed in 2007. Dr. Galgiani is also Chief Medical Officer of Valley Fever Solutions, Inc, a start-up company founded to assist in the drug’s development. In 1996, the Arizona Board of Regents accepted Dr. Galgiani’s proposal to establish the Valley Fever Center for Excellence for the Arizona universities. Based at the University of Arizona, the Center is pledged to spread information about Valley Fever, help patients with the severest complications of this disease, and to encourage research into the biology and diseases of its etiologic agent. The Center maintains a website (www.VFCE.Arizona.edu) and answers inquiries from health care professionals located in Arizona, other parts of the United States, and even from other countries. The Valley Fever Corridor Project, begun in 2009, intends to facilitate communication among Arizona clinicians to also improve patient care. In 2011, The Valley Fever Center in Phoenix was announced as a partnership between St. Joseph’s Hospital and the UA College of Medicine in Phoenix. It began operation in June, 2012. Research is increasing into the environmental biology of the fungus within its desert soil habitat as well as how the fungus caused disease and the body’s immunity controls it. Since Arizona has the only medical schools situated directly within the endemic region for Valley Fever, it is quite appropriate that Arizona lead in solving this problem. As Director of the Center, Dr. Galgiani is working for its full implementation as a means of ensuring an institutional commitment to accomplish this goal. Keywords: Coccidioidomycosis, Valley Fever, antifungal drugs, vaccines, serologic tests,

Over the last seven years, I have developed an innovative clinical research nursing program, new retinal oximetry techniques including a prototype device called the ROx-3 and a research associate volunteer program. I have been working on improving the prehospital care for children and adults with traumatic brain injury and have been successful organizing a collaborative that is rapidly advancing this field. Recently, I have begun working with others to improve the care of children with asthma presenting to the emergency department. My clinical trials research, clinical device testing, injury control efforts, mentoring and research center leadership experience taken together make me very well suited to serve as the Southwest PECARN Node and Arizona HEDA PI.

Zhao Chen, PhD, MPH, has been focused on epidemiologic research of women's health and aging-related health conditions. She has a wealth of experience in studying body composition assessments, breast cancer risk factors, fracture risk in cancer survivors, osteoporosis prevention, epidemiology of anemia, biomarker and genetic variations for chronic diseases and sarcopenia measurements among women and elderly from different ethnic backgrounds. She is a member of the Arizona Cancer Center, Arizona Center on Aging, Arizona Arthritis Center and BIO5. She is a funded researcher by the National Health Institute (NIH), and has served on numerous scientific study sections for the NIH and other funding agencies nationally and internationally. Dr. Chen also has an affiliated faculty appointment with the School of Anthropology.Her work with the U.S. Women's Health Initiative study has produced several significant research papers on epidemiologic methodology and osteoporosis risk factors in diverse populations. Her findings on increased fracture risk among breast cancer survivors have caught wide public attention, thus making a significant contribution to the prevention of fractures in the large number of breast cancer survivors. Her research on mammographic density as a proxy of breast cancer risk has provided direct evidences on significant associations between body composition, dietary intake, and mammographic density. The study findings on changes in body composition and hip structural geometry with intervention and aging have contributed to osteoporosis prevention and healthy aging research. Currently, she is leading investigations on longitudinal changes in bone strength and skeletal muscle loss associated with aging and hormone and calcium/vitamin D interventions. Her research on biomarkers and genetic variations for sarcopenia is supported by the National Institute of Aging/NIH. She has also received NIH funding to study anemia and its relationship with muscle loss, physical function, and mortality in Mexican American, Africa American, Native American, Asian, and Non-Hispanic white postmenopausal women. In the recent years, she has been working with several large worldwide consortiums on genome-wide association studies for sarcopenia and anemia.Besides teaching in classes, Dr. Chen has been providing research training opportunities to students especially minority students from underserved populations. Under her direction, graduate students in her laboratory are conducting research in many aspects of women's health and aging. Some examples of the research areas include arthritis and osteoporosis in women, anemia and cardiovascular diseases, physical functional assessments in the elderly, and relationship of growth factors with breast cancer risk. With the growing elderly population in the United States, osteoporosis, sarcopenia and anemia have become more significant public health problems. In responding to the community's needs, she frequently gives community health lectures and provides opportunities of health screening and education to publics. Dr. Chen is working on building a strong research and health promotion program to contribute to healthy aging in people from all ethnic backgrounds.

Dr. Chang’s research is divided into three areas.Cystic fibrosis (CF) research: Dr. Chang is investigating the role of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene in the pathogenesis of chronic sinusitis. He published the first animal model of CF sinus disease, and has characterized novel therapies including gene therapy vectors and CFTR potentiators in improving CF sinus disease in both animals and humans.Sinus microbiome research: the “microbiome” is the microbial community that is present in the human body. The sinonasal cavities have traditionally been thought to be sterile cavities, but new research is beginning to elucidate the vast number of microbial communities that populate our sinus. With this knowledge, we are investigating how our current therapies can influence this microbial population and prevent sinus disease.Impact of the upper and lower airway: as otolaryngologists, our focus has been in the airway of the head and neck. Dr. Chang has been investigating how the upper airway can influence disease of the lower airway, and vice versa. This research can influence the understanding of common diseases of the lower airway, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Dr. Chang receives active funding research support from the NIH, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Dr. Minying Cai is currently a research professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Arizona. She has been working in the Chemistry & Biochemistry department for more than 16 years and has more than 100 publications in the area of novel drug discovery for obesity, diabetes, cancer and pain. Dr. Cai received the Ph.D. at the University of Arizona in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics in 2004. Before that, she had been working in Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica; Shanghai Research Center of Biotechnology in Chinese Academy of Sciences. Dr. Cai has been working on peptide based drug discovery for more than 23 years, starting with discovery of developing anti-microbial peptide and insulin related peptide drug. Sixteen years ago, she started working on melanotropin and opioid related drug discovery. Dr. Cai's research in peptides involves highly multidisciplinary areas including chemistry and biochemistry; molecular pharmacology, molecular imaging, and cancer research, with expertise in molecular pharmacology, synthetic, organic and peptide methodology, chemical and biophysical analysis and evaluation, and in vitro and in vivo expression. Dr. Cai is currently working on several projects at the interface of chemistry, pharmacology and biology within the areas of: 1. Structure based drug design and synthesis of GPCR ligands, including developing selective hMCRs ligand; 2. Developing novel biophysics tools for molecular imaging; novel biomarker for high-throughput screening system. 3. Exploiting novel scaffold via computational chemistry for small molecule therapeutics for energy balance and cancer study; 4. Creating a nanostructured integrated platform for biodetection and imaging-guided therapy. Keywords: Drug Discovery, Melanoma Prevention, neurodegenerative diseases, Obesity and Diabetes, Melanocortin System