UBMedicineCONNECCONNECTINGTING ALUMNI, FRIENDS AND COMMUNITY THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

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UBUB

BIOMEDICALENGINEERS AT THE TABLEHELPING TO SOLVE SOME HELPING TO SOLVE SOME OF MEDICINE’S MOST OF MEDICINE’S MOST INTRACTABLE PROBLEMSINTRACTABLE PROBLEMS

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School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital (Kaleida Health)

Conventus medical office building

UB Clinical and Translational Research Center and Kaleida Health’s Gates Vascular Institute

Buffalo General Medical Center (Kaleida Health)

Roswell Park Cancer Institute

NFTA Metro Allen/Hospital station (will be encapsulated within the new medical school)

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Phase 2 of construction for the new School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences building on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus is set to begin this spring.

Building a new medical school in downtown Buffalo will be a defining moment in UB’s history and in the development of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

The university’s long-term strategy for a UB Downtown Campus is focused on the relocation of the UB medical school to downtown Buffalo to help form the region’s first comprehensive academic health center.

The academic health center will create a comprehensive, interconnected teaching, research and clinical care environment for the community, faculty and students.

To learn more about Phase 2 of construction, turn to page 4.

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Michael E. Cain, MD Vice President for Health Sciences and Dean, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

EditorStephanie A. Unger

Contributing Writers Mary Cochrane, John DellaContrada, Lori Ferguson, Ellen Goldbaum, Colleen Karuza, Judson Mead, Mark Sommer

CopyeditorTom Putnam

PhotographyJoseph Cascio, Philip J. Cavuoto, Sandra Kicman, Douglas Levere

Art Direction & DesignKaren Lichner

Editorial AdvisersJohn J. Bodkin II, MD ’76Elizabeth A. Repasky, PhD ’81

Major Affiliated Teaching HospitalsErie County Medical CenterRoswell Park Cancer InstituteVeterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System

Kaleida Health Buffalo General Medical Center Gates Vascular Institute Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital

Catholic Health Mercy Hospital of Buffalo Sisters of Charity Hospital

Correspondence, including requests to be added to or removed from the mailing list, should be sent to: Editor, UB Medicine, 901 Kimball Tower, Buffalo, NY 14214; or email ubmedicine-editor@buffalo.edu

UB Medicine is published by the UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences to inform alumni, friends and community about the school’s pivotal role in medical education, research and advanced patient care in Buffalo, Western New York and beyond.

Visit us: medicine.buffalo.edu/alumni

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UB MEDICINE MAGAZINE, Winter 2015, Vol. 3, No. 1

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

3 VITAL LINES

Progress notes

26 COLLABORATIONS

Partnershipsat work

30 DOCTOR VISITS

Reflections oncareers

32 PATHWAYS

People inthe news

36 Q & A

Conversationswith experts

10 BiomedicalEngineersasCollaboratorsHealthsciencesfacultyareworkingwithbiomedicalengineerstofindinnovativesolutionstopressinghealthcareproblems.

18 A SURGEON WHO RECONSTRUCTS BODIES AND LIVESBrankoBojovic,MD’02,isapioneeringfacialtransplantsurgeonwithdeeprootsinWesternNewYorkandUB.

22 A TALENT FOR MENTORING TALENTMargaritaDubocovich,PhD,isaworld-renownedresearcherdedicatedtohelpingaspiringscientistsfromallwalksoflife.

26 FAMILY TEAMS UP WITH MS RESEARCHERTheKalecfamilyiscommittedtolong-termsupportofFraserSim’sgroundbreakingstudiesonmultiplesclerosis.

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UBMEDICINE

COVER IMAGE:Emily Brooks, PhD student in biomedical engineering, with her mentor Mark Ehrensberger, PhD, center, and their collaborator, Anthony Campagnari, PhD.

Photo by Douglas Levere

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Anthony Campagnari, PhD, senior associate dean for research and professor of microbiology/immunology, is collaborating with biomedical engineers at UB to develop a new approach to treating infections in orthopaedic implants.

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The James H. Cummings Foundation of Buffalo has given $1 million to the new School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

“We are very grateful to the Cummings Foundation for this significant gift,” says Michael E. Cain, MD, vice president for health sciences and dean, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. “It is a clear demonstration of the foundation’s support for the educa-tional and scientific innovations that the new medical school makes possible. It comes as we conclude the first construction phase of the building, which will be a regional center of expertise with national and international impacts on research, education and patient care.”

The gift will support the development of a Structural Science Learning Center (SSLC), designed to foster an innovative approach to teaching and research in anatomical science, under the direction of John E. Tomaszewski, MD, chair of the Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences. He was recruited in 2011 from the University of Pennsylvania.

“The goal is to transform anatomy, cell biology and pathology education and research by bringing them into the digital age,” Tomaszewski says.

“Advanced computational tools now allow for the mining of the tremendous quantitative structural information embedded in human anatomy, cells and molecules,” he says. “Those data can be used to

CUMMINGS FOUNDATION AWARDS $1 MILLION TO NEW MEDICAL SCHOOL Gift supports a transformation of anatomy, cell biology and pathology education and research at UB

develop new predictive models, diagnoses and treatments that will directly benefit patients.”

In the center, students of medicine, engineering and computer science will learn how such “big data” interact. Physicians, biomedi-cal scientists, biomedical engineers and computer scientists will together develop a unique capacity for creating and annotating the vast amounts of quantitative biomedical data embedded within the human organism.

“The James H. Cummings Foundation is pleased to provide sup-port for the Structural Science Learning Center, which is part of this world class academic health center being built on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus,” says Charles F. Kreiner Jr., president of the foun-dation’s board of directors. “We believe the efficiencies in the delivery of care that will result from the new medical school and its partners, along with the cutting edge research around predictive modeling systems to support personalized medicine, are vital to the health and wellness of Western New York’s citizens and will contribute to the economic development of this community.”

The SSLC will combine the expertise and computing power of UB’s schools of medicine and engineering, the Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, the Clinical and Translational Research Center and the Institute for Healthcare Informatics.

Architectural rendering of the new UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences being built on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

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U B M E D V I T A L L I N E S

TheStateUniversityofNewYorkConstructionFundhasawardedLPCiminellithebidforthesecondphaseofconstructionforthenewSchoolofMedicineandBiomedicalSciencesbuildingontheBuffaloNiagaraMedicalCampus. Thecontractforphase2—thelargestbyfarofthreeconstructionphases—isworthapproximately$226million. At628,000squarefeet,the$375millionprojectatMainandHighstreetsisthelargestmedicaleducationbuildingunderconstructioninthenation. Thedesignincludesasix-storyatrium,classroomsandlaboratories.ItwillbeconstructedontopofanewAllen/HospitalMetrostation,afeaturethataccentuatescommunityconnectionsandpromotessustainabletransportationoptions. ThebuildingisontracktobecertifiedLEED(LeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesign)Gold,demonstratingUB’scommitmenttoenvironmentalandenergystewardship. UBisexpandingtheclasssizewithinthemedicalschoolfrom140to180students.Italsoisrecruiting100newfacultymemberstoteachintheschool.Thenewfacultywillbringmuch-neededclinicalspecialtiestotheregion,as well as training programs in important newmedicalfields.

Next steps in construction

Workonphase2isexpectedtobeginthisspring.Itinvolvesconstructionofthebuilding’sfaçadeandroof;completionofallplumbing,mechanicalandelectricalsystems;andcompletionofallinteriorfinishes. Phase2isexpectedtocontinueuntilthecompletionofthebuildingin2017.Someofthefurnitureandequipmentwillbemovedintothebuildinginfall2016inphase3oftheproject. Third-andfourth-yearmedicalstudentswillstartattendingclassesandlabsinthenewbuildingduringthespringof2017,withallmedicalstudentsexpectedinbyAugust2017.

Creating an Academic Health Center

BuildinganewmedicalschoolindowntownBuffalowillbeadefiningmomentinUB’shistoryandinthedevelopmentoftheBuffaloNiagaraMedicalCampus.

PHASE 2 OF CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON NEW MEDICAL SCHOOLLargest medical education building under construction in the nation

Theuniversity’slong-termstrategyforaUBDowntownCampusisfocusedontherelocationoftheUBmedicalschooltodowntownBuffalotohelpformtheregion’sfirstcomprehensiveacademichealthcenter. AnchoredbyUB’snewmedicalschool,inpartnership

withKaleidaHealth,RoswellParkCancerInstituteandtheHauptmanWoodwardMedicalResearchInstitute,theacademichealthcentercombinessuperiormedicaleducation,clinicalcareandresearchtocreateadynamicenvironmentfocusedonimprovingpatientcareandhealthoutcomesinWesternNewYork.Itwillcreateacomprehensive,interconnectedteaching,researchandclinicalcareenvironmentforthecommunity,facultyandstudents. ThenewmedicalschoolisthefirstprojecttohavereceivedNYSUNYChallengeGrantfundingprovidedbyGov.AndrewM.CuomowhenhesignedtheNYSUNY2020billintolawin2011.Constructionofthemedicalschoolwillbe

fundedbyprivatephilanthropyandstatesupport. TakeavirtualtourofthenewSchoolofMedicineandBiomedicalSciencesbyvisitingmedicine.buffalo.edu/newschool.

Third- and fourth-year medical students will start attending classes and labs in the new building during the spring of 2017, with all medical students expected in by August 2017.

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RussellSalvatore,ownerofRussell’sSteaks,Chops&More,locatedinDepew,N.Y.,hasgiven$600,000tonametheRussellJ.SalvatoreStudentLoungeinthenewmedicalschool. “Mycareerhasalwaysbeenabouthospitality,andIamthrilledtobeabletoaddUBmedicalstudentsandresidentstomyguestlist,”saysSalvatore.“Igavethisgiftbecausethiscommunitymeanseverythingtome,andIbelievethatthemedicalschoolmovingdowntownisgoodforhealthcareinBuffaloandgoodforourregion. “Myhopeisthatmygifttothenewmedicalschoolwillprovideaplaceofrestandrelaxationforstudentsandresidents,andthattheywillcarrywiththemhappymemoriesofthetimetheyspendthereastheymoveonintheircareers.”

RoseBerkun,MD’92,andmedicalstudentsrecentlygatheredtocelebratethegiftwithSalvatoreandtopresenthimwithashovelfromtheschool’sgroundbreaking. Picturedfromleft:SchervinBadkhshan,’16,StevenGangloff,’16,MichaelBisogno,’15,JaimeSklar,’16,ArielleBokhour,’17,DivaWilson,’17,MichaelCohen,’16,RussellSalvatore,RoseBerkun,MD,RyanYoung,’18,ChelseaRecor,’18,AlexandraTaffany,’17,DanKuhr,’17,PeterAckerman,’16,WilliamStendardi,’16,MelissaHoffman,’15,PeterLaub,’16,AleksandrKalininskiy,’15,YusefSyed,’17.

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GIFT FROM RUSSELL SALVATORE SUPPORTS ACADEMIC MEDICINE

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TheHearstFoundationshavejoinedthemedicalschool’sCircleofVisionarieswithagiftof$100,000tosupportconstructionofthenewUBSchoolofMedicineandBiomedicalSciences. UBpresidentSatishK.Tripathithankedthefoundations’boardofdirectorsfortheir“generouscommitment,”addingthat“UBisfortunatetohavetheHearstFoundationsasstrongpartnersinthisextraordinaryopportunityforWesternNewYork.” NancyH.Nielsen,MD,PhD,seniorassociatedeanforhealthpolicyatthemedicalschool,addedherthanks:“TheHearstFoundations’generouscommitmentisasignificantshowofsupportforUB.Wethankthemforjoiningustocreateaworld-classacademichealthcenterthatpromotescollaborationinbiomedical

education,researchandpatientcare.” TheOfficeofMedicalPhilanthropyandAlumniEngagementhas

establishedtheCircleofVisionariestorecognizesupporterswhohavemadegiftsof$100,000ormoretowardthemedicalschoolcampaign(seerelatedarticleonpage26). AllCircleofVisionariesmemberswillberecognizedonaspecialdonorwalltobelocatedinthemainlobbyofthenewmedicalschool. ForinformationabouttheCircleofVisionaries,

pleasecontactKimVentiat(716)829-2773;kventi@buffalo.edu.Orvisitgiving.buffalo.edu/visionaries.

HEARST FOUNDATIONS ENDORSE MOMENTUM IN BUFFALO

RoseanneC.Berger,MD,seniorassociatedeanforgraduatemedicaleducation,willbeoneofthreeleadersnationwidehonoredwitha2015ParkerJ.PalmerCouragetoLeadaward. TheawardfromtheAccreditationCouncilforGraduateMedicalEducation(ACGME)recognizesoutstandingleadership,management,innovationandimprovementofresidencyandfellowshipprograms. Formorethantwodecades,Bergerhasoverseen63UniversityatBuffalo-sponsoredmedicalspecialtytrainingprograms.Thevastmajority—60UBprogramswith756residents—areaccreditedbytheACGME. “Dr.Bergerisanindispensablememberofourschoolleadershipteam,”saysMichaelE.Cain,MD,vicepresidentforhealthsciencesanddeanoftheSchoolofMedicineandBiomedicalSciences. “Herinitiativeshavechangedthewayweapproachmedicaleducationatthisuniversityandhavenationalramifications.Herleadershipstylevaluesinclusionandcollaborationandtheimportanceoftheindividualtothesuccessoftheprogram.” BergerwillreceiveherawardFeb.27duringthe2015ACGMEAnnualEducationalConferenceinSanDiego,Calif.Toreadmore,go to www.medicine.buffalo.eduandsearch“Berger.”

BERGER WINS NATIONAL HONOR Leadership in Graduate Medical Education

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Class of 2004 reunion committee members, from left: Jason Pacos, MD, Jason Hoffman, MD, Nicole Gothgen, MD, Penelope Blackman-Lawson, MD, Heather Pleskow-Weisman, MD, Michael Gough, MD, and Anthony Winkowski, MD

CLASSES OF 1974 AND 2004 STEP UP TO HONOR MEMORIESClass gifts name seats in the new medical school

Everyonecancalltomindamemorableclassmatefromhisorhermedicalschooldays.FortheClassof2004,thispersonisJulieBaker,MD,PhD—someonewhowasadmiredandbefriendedbymany,butnowismissed. WhenmembersoftheClassof2004firstmettoorganizeaclassgiftforthenewUBmedicalschool,MichaelGough,MD,suggestednamingthegiftinmemoryofBaker,whodiedin2011. Goughandhisfellowreunioncommitteememberscommittedtomakingdonationsthemselvestokickofftheclassgifteffort.“Onceitwassuggested,everyonethoughtitwasagreatidea,”recallsHeatherPleskow-Weisman,MD,anallergist/immunologistinNiagaraFalls. Baker,anativeofBuffalo,beganhermedicalschoolcareerwiththeClassof2004,butearnedherdegreein2007,havingtakenoffseveralyearstocompleteherdoctorateinepidemiology.ShewascompletingherresidencyinobstetricsandgynecologyatWomenandInfantsHospitalatBrownUniversitywhenshediedofcomplicationsofH1N1andpneumoniaattheageof39. BakerwouldhavegraduatedthatJuneandwasplanningtoreturntoBuffalotoworkasaphysician-researcherforwomen’sreproductiveandmentalhealthissues.BeforecompletinganMD/PhD,sheearnedbachelor’sdegreesineconomicsandnursingandamaster’sinepidemiology,allfromUB.Shealreadyhadreceivedmorethanadozenhonoraryawardsforclinicalandscientificworkandhadauthoredmorethan20peer-reviewedscientificpublications. ThecampaignforgiftstotheClassof2004JulieBakerFundwas

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asuccess,with43individualsgivingmorethan$27,000tonameaseatinthenewmedicalschool. Likeherfellowalumni,Pleskow-Weismansays,“Iwashappytodonate.”Shealsowasproudtobeamemberofoneofthetwoclassesthatsteppedforwardduringthe2014ReunionWeekendtomakegiftsthatnamedmedicalschoolseats. TheotherwastheClassof1974,towhichanotherPleskow—Heather’sfather,SanfordPleskow,MD,astaffphysicianatInvisionHealth,Williamsville—belongs. TheClassof1974gaveatotalof$25,000ingiftsfrom37individuals. “Manyofmyclassmatescontributedbecausethiswasour45threunion,andwewantedtogivebacktothemedicalschool,”Pleskowsays.“Itwasworththeeffort.IwasnotsurprisedthatweaccomplishedthisbecauseweareallproudtobeUBmedicalschoolalumni.” “Thesetwoclassesrosetotheoccasion,supportingthetraditionofreuniongivingandacknowledginghowimportantgiftsaretothenewmedicalschool,”saysJenniferBritton,directorofconstituentandalumniengagementfortheschool.

Julie Baker

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U B M E D V I T A L L I N E S

JeraldA.Bovino,MD’71,apioneerinthefieldofvitreoretinalandmacularsurgery,waspresentedthe2014LucienHoweMedalforoutstandingachievementinophthalmology. Theprestigiousaward,jointlyconferredbytheUBSchoolofMedicineandBiomedicalSciencesandtheBuffaloOphthalmologySociety,isnamedinhonorofLucienHowe,MD,whobeganpracticeinBuffaloin1874andfoundedtheBuffaloEyeandEarInfirmaryin1876.Inadditiontohisprivatepractice,Howeservedasprofessorofophthalmologyatthethen-UniversityofBuffalofrom1878to1909.TheHowemedal,firstpresentedin1928,wasoneofanumberofawardsheestablishedtorecognizecontributionsinophthalmology. “PastawardeesoftheLucienHoweMedalreadslikealistof‘who’swho’inophthalmology,”saysJamesReynolds,MD’78,chairoftheUBDepartmentofOphthalmologyandheadoftheRossEyeInstitute.Bovinoinventedtheintraoperativeuseofthelaserduringretinaldetachmentsurgeryandwroteandeditedthefirsttextbookonmacularsurgery. In2007,hewaspresentedtheZivojnovicHonorAwardbytheEuropeanVitreoretinalSociety.HeisthefirstAmericanevertowinthisinternationalaward,whichwasestablishedtorecognizeRelyaZivojnovic,oneofthe

BOVINO RECEIVES LUCIEN HOWE MEDAL

foundersofthevitreoretinalsurgicalspecialty.Bovino,aretiredprofessorofophthalmologyattheMedicalCollegeofOhio,isafounderoftheVitreousSocietyandtheAmericanSocietyofRetinaSpecialists(ASRS).TheASRSisthelargestorganizationinthespecialty,withmorethan2,000membersin100countries.

KaleidaHealth’sBuffaloGeneralMedicalCenterhasbeennamedbyU.S.News&WorldReport2014-15asahighperformerinorthopaedics. Thehospital,whichisateachingaffiliateoftheUBSchoolofMedicineandBiomedicalSciences,wastheonlyfacilityintheBuffaloareatoreceivethisdesignation. “IamverypleasedtolearnofthisrecognitionoforthopaedicsattheBuffaloGeneralMedicalCenter,”saidKennethKrackow,MD,UBprofessoroforthopaedicsandchiefoforthopaedicsatBuffaloGeneralMedicalCenter.

“Manyorthopaedicsurgeonsvisitourfacilitytolearnfromourstaffaboutnewtechniquesandtosimplystaycurrentonwhatiscutting-

edgeinorthopaedics.Iamcertainthatmystaffisveryproudtobesoselected.” U.S.NewspublishesBestHospitalstohelpguidepatientswhoneedahighlevelofcarebecausetheyfaceparticularlydifficultsurgery,achallengingcondition,orextrariskbecauseofageormultiplehealthproblems.Objectivemeasuressuchaspatientsurvivalandsafetydata,theadequacyofnursestaffinglevelsandotherdatalargelydeterminedtherankingsinmostspecialties.

ORTHOPAEDIC EXCELLENCE RECOGNIZED AT BUFFALO GENERAL MEDICAL CENTER

From left: James Reynolds, MD ’78, professor and chair of the UB Department of Ophthalmology and head of the Ross Eye Institute; D. Jackson Coleman, MD ’60, a past recipient of the award; Jerald A. Bovino, MD ’71, the 2014 recipient of the Lucien Howe Medal; and Thomas R. Elmer Jr., MD ’97, president, Buffalo Ophthalmology Society.

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InNovember,KaleidaHealthbeganconstructionontheJohnR.OisheiChildren’sHospitallocatedonEllicottStreetontheBuffaloNiagaraMedicalCampus. The$270millionprojectwillreplacethecurrentWomenandChildren’sHospitalofBuffaloonBryantStreetandconsolidateservicesina12-floor,183-bed,free-standinghospital. Expectedtoopenin2017,theJohnR.OisheiChildren’sHospitalwillbeanintegralpartoftheBuffaloNiagaraMedicalCampus.ItwilllinktothenewUBSchoolofMedicineandBiomedicalSciences,BuffaloGeneralMedicalCenter,GatesVascularInstitute,theUBClinicalTranslationalandResearchCenter,RoswellParkCancerInstitute,andmore. “ThebuildingoftheOisheiChildren’sHospital

isembracedbytheentirestaffatWomenandChildren’sHospital—andthecommunityatlarge—becauseitwillhaveaprofoundimpact

onallofWesternNewYork,”saysTeresaQuattrin,MD,A.CongerGoodyearProfessorandChairoftheUBDepartmentofPediatricsandpediatrician-in-chiefatWomenandChildren’sHospitalofBuffalo.“Thisnewfacilitywillensurethatchildrenandtheirmothersacrosstheregionwillcontinuetoreceiveoutstand-ingcare.”WomenandChildren’sHospitalofBuffaloistheonlyaccesspointforpediatric

criticalcare,LevelIIIneonatalintensivecareandLevel1pediatrictraumacareinWesternNewYork.

GATES VASCULAR INSTITUTE NAMED A TOP HOSPITAL FOR HEART SURGERY

Consumer Reports has named the Kaleida Health’s Gates Vascular Institute as one of the top 15 hospitals in the nation for coronary bypass and aortic valve surgeries.

This achievement ranks Gates Vascular Institute—a teaching affiliate of the UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences—in the top three percent of cardiovascular programs nationally.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the Gates Vascular Institute cardiac team,” says M. Hashmat Ashraf, MD, chief of service of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at Kaleida Health. “Every single member of the cardiac team, from technologists to nurses to anesthesiologists, plays an integral part in providing the high-quality cardiac care for which we’ve been recognized.”

The Consumer Reports’ ranking is derived from data obtained from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, an international organization representing thousands of cardiothoracic clinicians and researchers. The society’s goal is to ensure the best possible outcomes for surgeries performed within the chest.

CONSTRUCTION BEGUN ON JOHN R. OISHEI CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Expected to open in 2017, the John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital will be an integral part of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

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ENGINEERS ASPARTNERS IN HEALTH CARE INNOVATIONNEW BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT FOSTERS TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCHSTORY BY S.A. UNGER

PHOTOS BY DOUGLAS LEVERE

Albert H. Titus, PhD, chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, is leading efforts to organize collaborations between biomedical engineers and biosciences faculty at UB.

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henphysiciansandbiomedicalscientistsatUBtalkabouthowtheyarehelpingto“engineer”solutionstodifficulthealthcareproblems,it’snotjustaturnofphrase.Since2010,whenUBestablishedits

DepartmentofBiomedicalEngineeringasajointeffortbetweentheSchoolofEngineeringandAppliedSciencesandtheSchoolofMedicineandBiomedicalSciences,averitablewishlistofcollaborationshassprungupbetweenengineersandbiosciencesfacultyacrosstheuniversity. TheUBmedicalschoolanditsacademichealthcenterpartnersontheBuffaloNiagaraMedicalCampusconsideritpartoftheircoremissiontoimprovestandardsofcareinmedicine—eitherbymakingincrementalchangestotreatmentsorbydevisingcompletelynewones. Itisthispushtoimprovecarethatdefines“translational”research,aneffortinwhichphysicians,scientists—andnowbiomedicalengineers—worksidebysidetotakediscoveriesinthelaboratoryandapplythemasrapidlyaspossibletoreal-worldmedicalcare. “Themarriagebetweenengineeringandmedicineisessentialtotranslationalmedicineinthe21stcentury,”saysMichaelE.Cain,MD,vicepresidentforhealthsciencesanddeanoftheSchoolofMedicineandBiomedicalSciences. Cainhasalonghistoryofcollaboratingwithbiomedicalengineerstofurtherhisownresearchincardiacelectro-physiology,andhewasaprimemoverinlaunchingthenewdepartmentalongwithHarveyStenger,PhD,thendeanoftheSchoolofEngineeringandAppliedSciences. In2009,theireffortswerecatalyzedwhenUBreceiveda$3milliongrantfromtheJohnR.OisheiFoundationtohelpfundtheestablishmentoftheDepartmentofBiomedicalEngineering. Cain,whoservesasaprofessorinthenewdepartment,knowsfirsthandthatbiomedicalengineeringisavibrantandgrowingfieldthatgivesUBanditshealthcarepartnersamuch-needededgeatatimewhencompetitionforgrantsandtopstudentsandfacultyisfierce. LieslFolks,PhD,MBA,deanoftheSchoolofEngineeringandAppliedSciences,notesthattheDepartmentofBiomedicalEngineeringcouldn’thavebeenestablishedatabettertime.“Thefieldofbiomedicalengineeringis

burgeoning,andthedemandforgraduatesistremendous,”shesays.“Andwhenthesegraduatesentertheworkplace,theyarehelpingtodevelopnewmedicaltechnologiesandbusinessesthatbenefitlocalandnationalindustry.”

GROWTH SURPASSING ALL EXPECTATIONSAlbertH.Titus,PhD,chairoftheDepartmentofBiomedicalEngineering,saysthatenrollmentforthenewdepartmenthassurpassedallexpectations.“Beinganengineer,Iinitiallydrewupallsortsofchartstoforecastgrowth,butwhatwehavefoundisthatevenoursomewhatoptimisticprojectionsunderestimatedthedemand.” Undergraduateenrollmenthasclimbedsteadily,startingwith56studentsin2010andreaching250in2014,saysTitus,whoseeffortswerecrucialtoguidingUBthroughthestateapprovalprocessrequiredtoestablishthedepartment. In2014,theundergraduatedegreeprogramwasreviewedforthefirsttimebytheAccreditationBoardforEngineeringandTechnology(ABET)andreceived“highpraise,”accordingtoFolks. Themaster’sandPhDprograms,whichwereapprovedbythestatein2012,alsohavegrownsteadilyandaredrawingstudentsfromaroundtheworld. Thequalityofthestudentsinallthedegreeprogramscouldn’tbehigher,saysTitus.“TheprogramisattractingstudentswhosequalificationsputthematthetopofallstudentsadmittedtoUB.Someofthebesthighschoolstudentsarenowlookingatbiomedicalengineeringasacareer.” TheU.S.BureauofLaborStatisticsprojectsthattheneedforbiomedicalengineerswilljump27percentthrough2022,aratemuchhigherthanmostoccupations.ThebureaualsoreportsthatthemediansalaryintheUnitedStatesforbiomedicalengineerswithabachelor’sdegreeis$86,960.

MOTIVATED TO HELP PEOPLEWhilethesestatisticsarecompelling,theydon’ttellthewholestoryaboutwhatmotivatesstudentstoentertheprogram,Titusnotes.

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“Thestudentsareintriguedbytheopportunitytotaketheproblem-solvingskillsofanengineerandapplythemtothelifesciences.Theycanseethedirectapplicationtohealthcareandtherealbenefitstopeople,”hesays.“Ithinkthatisakeydriverforthem—theywant

tohelpmakeadifferenceinpeople’slives.” MichaelHill,aPhDstudentinthedepartment,worksinthelabofhismentor,DebanjanSarkar,PhD,researchingproblemsassociatedwithtissueengineering. AnativeofEarlville,NY,Hill(picturedopposite)completedhisundergraduatestudiesatUB,whereheinitiallydeclaredamajorinmechanicalandaerospaceengineering,butswitchedtobiomedicalengineeringwhenthenewprogramwasstarted. “Ireallylikedmyintroclassesinmechanicalandaerospaceengineering,”Hillsays,“butinmyfreetime,

justoutofinterest,Iwouldreadaboutbiologicalsub-jects.SoIfiguredbiomedicalengineeringwouldbeabetterwaytogo,andonceIgotintoit,Ilikeditalot.Youcantakeaphysicalapproachtobiologicalquestions,butatthesametime,there’salsoastrongdrivetowardapplication—makingaproductthatcanactuallybeusedtohelppeople.”

ACADEMIC AND INDUSTRIAL COLLABORATIONSWhenthedepartmentwasestablished,14full-timefacultyatUBwhohadfundedresearchinbiomedicalengineering were invited to join the program and were givendualappointmentsinbiomedicalengineeringandtheirhomedepartment,whichrangedfrommedicinetoelectricalengineering. “Asthedepartmenthasgrown,sohasourfaculty,”Titussays.“Wenowhaveeighttenuretrackfacultywhoarededicatedexclusivelyorprimarilytobiomedicalengineeringandwearerecruitingmore.” AffiliatedfacultyinthemedicalschoolandintheSchoolofEngineeringandAppliedSciencesalsoplayacrucialroleinthedepartmentbysupervisingstudents,servingasmentorsandparticipatinginresearchcollaborations. BiomedicalengineeringfacultyalsocollaboratewiththeUBCenterforAdvancedBiomedicalandBioengineeringTechnologyontheBuffaloNiagara

MedicalCampus.Thecenterfostersthegrowthofnewlifesciencescompaniesandhelpsexistingcompaniesintheregion’salreadyrobustmedicaldeviceindustrytocreateneworimprovedproductlinesbyprovidingresearchanddevelopmentexpertise. Inaddition,departmentfacultyworkwithanindustrialadvisoryboardtoexploreresearchcollaborationsandstudentinternshipopportunitieswithlocalandnationalcompanies.

WESTERN NEW YORK’S BEST AND BRIGHTESTEmilyBrooks,anativeofBuffalo,isaPhDstudentintheprogramanda2014recipientofaProsperityScholarship,awardedannuallybythePrenticeFamilyFoundationtoWesternNewYork’s“bestandbrighteststudents.” Adedicatedathlete,Brooks(picturedoncover),waspresidentandco-captainoftheWomen’sRugbyClubwhileanundergraduateatUB.CurrentlysheservesasagraduateassistantintheKennethA.KrackowM.D.OrthopaedicResearchLaboratoryatUB,wherehermentorisMarkEhrensberger,PhD,assistantprofessorofbiomedicalengineering. Herresearchfocusesontheelectrochemicalcharacterizationofbiomaterialsfororthopaedicandsportsmedicineapplications.Theoverallgoal,shesays,istoensurethat“thematerialsweuseforprostheticdevicesarelonglastingandallowpeopletodowhattheywantwithoutrestrictiononmotionoractivitylevel. “Hopefullythiswillallowpeopletoliveanactivelifestylelonger—somethingthatIampassionateabout.” Brooks,whoisconsideringacareerinacademia,isamemberofUB’sCollaborativeLearningandIntegratedMentoringintheBiosciences(CLIMB)program,opentostudentsinallPhDprogramsinscience,engineering,technologyandmathdisciplines(seerelatedarticleonpage22). “TheCLIMBprogramhasbeenagreatopportunityformetoimproveonprofessionaldevelopment,andit’shelpedmelearnmoreaboutacademia,”Brookssays.“I’vehadhelpwiththingssuchasgrantwriting,andI’vebeenabletomentoragroupofundergraduatesdoingresearch,soit’sbeenaverygoodexperienceforme.” Brookscouldhavegoneelsewheretopursueadoctorateinbiomedicalengineering,butsheisconvincedshemadetherightchoicetostayatUB. “It’sanewprogram,butalotofopportunitieshavecomealongwiththat,”shesays.“I’mhappyIdecidedtostayatUBandtryitout.”

To learn more about research in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, visit engineering.buffalo.edu/biomedical.

“The students are intrigued by the opportunity to take the problem-solving skills of an engineer and apply them to the life sciences. They can see the direct application to health care and the real benefits to people.”—Albert H. Titus, PhD, chair, Biomedical Engineering

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INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

GROWING ORGANS AND TISSUES FOR TRANSPLANTATION

Over the last decade, the gap has widened sharply between the number of patients needing lifesaving organ and tissue transplants and the availability of donors.

In addition, many conditions involving damage to cartilage and bone tissues cannot be effectively treated, leaving patients to suffer with chronic pain and disability. To address these urgent problems, Debanjan Sarkar, PhD, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, is exploring ways to build new organs and replace diseased tissues using artificially engineered systems. Sarkar focuses his research on developing synthetic materials that provide an environment conducive for cells to grow and mature into tissues. One of the primary challenges to growing tissues outside the human body “is how to grow the cells so that they are organized into functionally effective three-dimensional structures,” Sarkar explains.

He emphasizes that while synthetic biomaterials must provide structural support to cells, more importantly, “they

need to be able to deliver signals that make it possible for communication to be maintained between the cells and the synthetic matrix throughout the entire regeneration process.”

Currently, Sarkar and his team are exploring ways to regenerate bone and cartilage tissues from stem cells using polymeric biomaterials. “While bone and cartilage are very different, the composite nature of their tissue matrices have common underlying characteristics,” Sarkar explains.

He reports that his group has successfully designed polymers that can mimic both the structure and function of the composite character of these matrices and so can properly guide the stem cells into tissue structure. Furthermore, the materials are nontoxic and biodegrad-able, so they leave no residue after the regeneration processis completed. The strategies developed by Sarkar and his team have been validated in animal model studies done in collaboration with researchers in the UB School of Dental Medicine.

“Preliminary results show that the biomaterials we are developing have significant promise for treating bone defects, degenerative bone diseases and arthritic cartilage,” Sarkar says.

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CANCER DRUGS DELIVERED BY NANOBALLOONS

Chemotherapeutic drugs excel at fighting cancer, but theyare not so efficient at getting where they need to go. They often interact with blood, bone marrow and other healthy bodily systems, which dilutes the drugs and causes harmful side effects.

Jonathan Lovell, PhD, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, is developing a better delivery method by encapsulating the drugs in nanoballoons that pop openand deliver concentrated doses of medicine when struckby a red laser.

Roughly 1,000 times thinner than human hair, nano-balloons are modified liposomes consisting of porphyrin, an organic compound, and phospholipid, a fat similar to vegetable oil. Like conventional chemotherapy, they wouldbe delivered to patients intravenously.

“Why PoP-liposomes, or nanoballoons, open in response to an otherwise harmless red laser is still a bit of a mystery to us, but we have definitely unearthed a new and unique phenomenon,” says Lovell. “Its potential for improving how we treat cancer is immense.”

In experiments performed with mice, Lovell hits the

nanoballoons with a red laser at the target site in the body, which triggers them to pop open and release the drugs. As soon as the laser is turned off, the nanoballoons close, taking in proteins and molecules that might induce cancer growth.

Hypothetically, physicians could then retrieve the nanoballoons by drawing blood or taking a biopsy and thus obtain a chemical snapshot of the tumor’s environment, something that is currently very difficult to do using standard technologies. Lovell will continue fundamental studies to better understand why the treatment works so well in destroying tumors in mice and to optimize the process. Human trials could start within five years, he says. Lovell’s work is supported by the National Institutes of Health, which has awarded him grants from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, as well as its Early Independence Award Program, which funds high-risk, high-reward research. To learn more about this research and about an innovative “nanojuice” technology that Lovell is developing to improve diagnosis of gastrointestinal ailments, go to buffalo.edu/news and search “Lovell.”

—Cory Nealon

OV E L L , P H D

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

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“SMART” DEVICES FOR EARLY DETECTION AND PREVENTION

Our bodies constantly emit signals about our health and well being, but we are not very adept at capturing or reading them. Methods we currently use to gather this data rely on cumbersome or intrusive technologies that can often be rendered ineffective by a forgetful or noncompliant patient.

Albert H. Titus, PhD, chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, focuses his research on developing bioinstruments that aim to circumvent these obstacles by functioning seamlessly, or even invisibly, “in, on or aroundthe human body to improve human health.” Titus and his collaborators are working “to design microchips that can capture any sort of signal you can pull from the body” and to create apps that automatically store and chart this data on smartphones or complex monitoring systems. The goal, he says, is early detection and preventionof disease. Titus is also exploring the development of implantable sensing devices that are as small as one centimeter by one millimeter, yet have enormous processing capacity. Looking to the future, he asks: “If devices we now implant in the body aren’t ‘smart,’ can we make them smart? Can we make a stent that not only keeps an artery open, but also collects and

transmits data so physicians know when it’s not functioning?”While acknowledging that these devices create a host of

new problems to solve, like biocompatibility, he says “It’s part of what makes this work fun.”

Currently, one of Titus’s projects involves a collaboration with Jessica Castner, PhD, RN, assistant professor of nursing, to create a “smarter” pocket spirometer, a device given to patients with respiratory conditions to help them measure the outflow of their breath in an effort to pre-empt exacerbations.

“Computerized pocket spirometers already exist,” notes Castner, “so what we’re working on are incremental improvements designed to be nonintrusive and to take into account human nature, like forgetting to record data or losing it. We’re also adding ‘smart’ features that, for example, alert asthma patients to early cold, flu or allergy symptoms or to environmental triggers such as weather or pollen counts.” Given advances in microelectronics, Titus says that bioinstruments have much potential to improve health carein the 21st century. Titus also is collaborating with a local medical device company, Sentient Science, to develop a wearable device that could help soldiers on the battlefield or prevent someone from having a heart attack. To learn more, go to buffalo.edu/news and search “Albert Titus.”

A L B E RT H. T I T U S, P H D, A N D J ES S I C A C A S

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INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

The number of orthopaedic procedures requiring metallic implants is increasing. As the number of these implants rise, so do infections, which result in extended treatments and hospital stays, increased morbidity and mortality, and higher costs to the health care system. One of the factors contributing to these infections is micro-organisms that mature into biofilms on the implants and become highly resistant to antibiotics. The current gold standard for treating such infections involves removing the implant, administering local antibiotics until the infection is cleared and then replacing the implant—an approach that further exacerbates patients’ suffering by leaving them with biomechanical deficiencies until a second device is implanted.

Mark Ehrensberger, PhD, assistant professor of biomedical engineering and director of the Kenneth A. Krackow M.D. Orthopaedic Research Laboratory at UB, is collaborating with Anthony Campagnari, PhD, professor of microbiology/immunology and medicine, to develop a technology that aims to eradicate these biofilms without having to remove the implant. The team’s innovative research focuses on disrupting the biofilms of problematic pathogens by delivering electrical

stimulation directly to titanium implants.“Titanium is a passivated metal—meaning it is covered with

an oxide film—and a variety of its interfacial properties are voltage-dependent,” Ehrensberger explains. “This provides us a mechanism to electrochemically disrupt interactions between bacterial biofilms and the surface of the implants.”

While Ehrensberger and Campagnari have found that electrical stimulation alone reduces biofilm infections, they have reported that the biofilm is even more effectively eradicated when the treatment is delivered in combination with systemic antibiotic therapy. More compelling yet is their discovery that prophylactic delivery of their novel electrical stimulation prevents infections from becoming established in the first place.

“We are quite excited about this technology, as it may provide clinicians with an effective treatment option that does not require the challenges of the two-staged revision,” says Ehrensberger. “Furthermore, we believe the therapeutic and prophylactic effectiveness of this treatment is broadly applicable to most of the passivated metals utilized for orthopaedic implants.”

ERADICATING PATHOGENS ON ORTHOPAEDIC IMPLANTS

E H R E N S B E R

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FASTER MRI SCANS FOR “REAL-TIME” IMAGING

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has revolutionized radiology because of its unique capacity to picture not only structures within the body, but also functions and physiological processes.

As new applications for MRI have been developed, however, faster imaging methods are needed, especially in three-dimensional imaging. Leslie Ying, PhD, associate professor of biomedical engineering, focuses her researchon finding ways to increase this speed so as to enable“real-time” observation.

“The issue with speed is that the patient has to stay inthe scanner—motionless—for a period of time,” Ying says.

Sometimes that means patients are asked to hold their breath; at other times, physicians may want to look at an organ that can’t be stilled, such as a beating heart.

Ying’s method uses a complicated algorithm to generatea quality image from only a small portion of the data thatis commonly collected.

A lot of data in an image—whether an MRI scan or a vacation photo—is redundant, she says. In digital photography, people often compress image data with afile format such as JPEG, thus allowing for a smaller filesize with minimal loss of quality.

Ying’s method is analogous to that, except that it predicts image redundancies in a process called compressed sensing. “The idea is that we don’t acquire all the information in the first place,” she says. “We anticipate what compression will do and we only look for those points.” The technique developed by Ying has improved the speed of scanning, and her studies have validated the algorithms she uses, demonstrating proof of concept.

Ying and her team are collaborating with colleagues at GE Healthcare in Wisconsin to test her method in an MRI scanner. “We want to see really how long it takes,” she says. “A few seconds? A minute? We need to be able to demonstrate to vendors what we can offer.”

At UB, Ying collaborates with John Canty Jr., MD ’79, Albert and Elizabeth Rekate Professor and chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine; Umesh Sharma, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine; Robert Zivadinov, MD, PhD, professor of neurology and director of the Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center; and Ferdinand Schweser, PhD, assistant professor of neurology. To read more about this research, go to buffalo.edu/news and search “Ying.”

—Jill U Adams

S L I E Y I N G, P H D

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lippingburgers,waitingtables,servingdrinksandlendinganear.That’sthebackgroundBrankoBojovic,MD’02,creditswithgivinghimafounda-tionforhispath-breakingcareerinplastic

andreconstructivesurgery. AnativeofLackawanna,NY,Bojovic(pronouncedboy-oh-vich)learnedthoseandotherrestaurantskillswhilehelpingrunthefamily-ownedeateryandtavernnearRalphWilsonStadium. “Iranaroundhelpingwithcooking,washingdishesorservingandenjoyedtalkingtopeopleandlisteningtotheirstoriesorproblems,”hesays.“Ithinkthosethingsmademedicineanaturalchoiceforme.Asaplasticsurgeon,Ilikevariety,whereeverydayisalittlebitdifferentandthepacechanges.” InJune2014,the37-year-oldBojovicwasnamedclinicaldirectorofthefacetransplantationteamattheUniversityofMarylandMedicalCenter.HealsoisanassistantprofessorofsurgeryattheUniversityofMarylandSchoolofMedicineandassistantprofessorofplasticandreconstructivesurgeryatJohnsHopkinsUniversitySchoolofMedicine. InMarch2012,Bojovicwaspartofafive-manteamheadedbyEduardoRodriguez,MD,DDS,thatperformedthemostextensivefullfacetransplanttodate.The36-hourprocedure,whichtookplaceatthemedicalcenter’sRAdamsCowleyShockTraumaCenter,involvedtransplantingallanteriorscalp,facialandanteriorneckskin,upperandlowerjawbones,anteriortongueandupperandlowerteethontoa37-year-oldmanwhoselowerfacewasallbutdestroyedbyanaccidentalshotgunblast15yearsearlier.

Althougheachteammemberwastrainedtoperformallpartsoftheoperation,Bojovicwasprimarilyresponsibleforremovingtherecipient’sface,scarredanddisfiguredfrompreviousoperations,inpreparationforthenewfacebeingapplied. Thetransplantwasalongtimeinthemaking.Itincluded18monthsofpracticeoperationsoncadaversandapracticeprocurementtodemonstrateproofofconcept.Thelatter,done“withthegraciouspermissionofadonorfamily,”involvedapatientwhodonatedsolidorgans. “IwouldsayitwasthemosttechnicallychallengingandcomplexprocedureIhaveeverbeenapartof,”saysBojovic. Notsurprisingly,itwasalsoamongthemostsatisfying. “It’sveryrewardingtoseetheimpactyoucanhaveonpeople’slivesand,indoingso,givebacktopeopletheknowledgeandlearningyou’veacquired.” Therecipient,RichardNorris,livedareclusiveexistenceinruralsouthwestVirginiabeforetheoperation,wearingamaskinpublicandstrugglingwithhisdisfiguredappearance.Sincetheoperation,hehasreintegratedsociallyandisconsideringacareerininformationsystems. “Iwouldsaythemajorityofpeoplewouldn’tevenknowhehadafacialtransplant,”saysBojovic.“He’sdoneextraordinarilywell—certainlybeyondeverybody’sexpectations.”

Tight-Knit CommunityBojovicgrewupinatight-knitSerbiancommunityofabout250familiesinLackawanna,alsohometoCroats,Macedonians,Poles,ItaliansandYemeniswho

A SURGEON WHORECONSTRUCTSBODIES, AND LIVES

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Branko Bojovic, MD ’02, pioneering facial transplant surgeon

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“I was thrilled to be admitted there. UB is the top public medical school in the SUNY system, and it was a wonderful place to learn and train. We have had a lot of people go on to do great things, and that says a lot about how UB prepared us.”—Branko Bojovic, MD ’02

cametofindworkinthecity’snow-shutteredsteelmills.AtthecenteroftheSerbcommunityisSt.StephenSerbianOrthodoxChurch,whereBojovicservedasanaltarboy,sanginthechoirandperformedinamusicanddancefolkgroup,theSt.Stephen’sTamburitzans,fromkindergartenthroughmedicalschool.Heplayedaccordion,standupbassandthetambura,aguitar-likeinstrument.AtLackawannaHighSchool,astone’sthrowfromthechurch—andhishome—heplayedtrumpetintheschoolband. “Iwasrunningbackandforthdoingmusicallthetime.Youwouldwakeupandhearitinthemorning,orgosomewherewhereitwashappening,”recallsBojovic. Hewasalsoathleticandamemberoftheschool’stennis,basketballandswimteams. WhenBojovicwas13yearsoldandhissister,8,theirfatherdiedsuddenly,whichthrustBojovicintoanewrole

inthefamily.Hehelpedhismotheroperatetheres-taurant,addingbartendingandlandscapingtohisre-sponsibilitiesashegotolder.“Brankowasalwaysveryseriousandverysingle-minded,”saysFatherRastkoTrbuhovichofSt.Stephen’s,whohasknownBojovicsincehewasaboy.“Heappliedhimselfeverywhere.Hewasveryrespectfulofotherkidsandadults,almostformalinhisrelationships.

“I’mnotsurprisedthatheissuccessful,”headds.“Heisverymuchachildofthiscommunity,andweallfeelclosetohim.” Bojovic’sinterestinmedicinewassparkedinhisteensbyanoldercousininmedicalschoolwhowas“likeabigbrothertome”andbyaninterestandproficiencyinscience. Afterhighschool,heattendedCanisiusCollegeonscholarship,majoringinbiochemistryandexcellingaca-demically.Inhissophomoreyearhereceivednotification

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thathehadbeenadmittedtotheUBSchoolofMedicineandBiomedicalSciencesthroughitsearlyassuranceprogram. “Iwasthrilledtobeadmittedthere,”Bojovicsays.“UBisthetoppublicmedicalschoolintheSUNYsystem,anditwasawonderfulplacetolearnandtrain.Wehavehadalotofpeoplegoontodogreatthings,andthatsaysalotabouthowUBpreparedus.”

A Life-Changing LectureItwaswhilehewasatUBmedicalschoolthatBojovicattendedalecturethatchangedhislife. MichaelDenk,MD’86,whoatthetimewasheadofplasticsurgeryatBuffaloGeneralMedicalCenter,spokeoncampusaboutOperationSmileandthehumanitarianworkitprovidesoverseascorrectingfacialdisfigurements. Bojovicbecamepresidentofthecampusgroup,andasaseniorin2001wenttoChinafortwoweekstohelpsurgeonstreatchildrenandadultswithcleftlipsandpalatesandotherdeformities.Theexperiencecementedhisdecisiontomakeacareerofplasticsurgery. “Brankoisawonderfullywell-groundedpersonwhowantstohelpthosearoundhimwithsomethinghelovestodo,”saysDenk,nowaplasticsurgeoninVirginiaBeach,Va.“Therearenotmanypeopleintheworldwhohavethekindoffuturehehasinplasticsurgery.” Bojovic,whoseexpertiseisinadultandpediatriccraniofacialsurgeryandmicrosurgery,completedhisgeneralsurgeryresidencyatHarvardMedicalSchool’sBethIsraelDeaconessMedicalCenterandhisplasticsurgeryresidencyattheHarvardCombinedProgram/HarvardMedicalSchool.HethencompletedacraniofacialsurgeryandmicrosurgeryfellowshipatJohnsHopkinsHospitalandtheUniversityofMarylandMedicalCenter’sRAdamsCowleyShockTraumaCenter,wherehewasinvitedtojointhestaff.

A True PrivilegeBojovic’splasticsurgeryexperienceextendsfromheadtofoot,butthefullfacialtransplantwasadifferentorderofmagnitude.ThehistoricoperationonRichardNorrisallowedthefive-memberteamonlythree15-minutebreaks,butthepreparationandadrenalinemadeitdoable. “ItwastheculminationofallthethingsIhadlearned.Itwasatrueprivilegetobeinvolvedinthatkindofconcertedeffortandtohelpsomeonewithanextraordinarilydifficultproblemgetbacktoapointinlifewherehecouldbe

reintegratedintosociety,”Bojovicsays. Overtheyears,Bojovichasforged“acloseandIthinkspecialrelationship”withNorris,whomhecontinuestoseemonthlyforcheckupsandmonitoring. ErikaBrannockisanotherhigh-profilepatientwhomBojovichastreated. In2013,Brannock,now30,wasstandingattheBostonMarathonfinishline,cheeringonhermother,whenabombexplodedashortdistanceaway. Shehadtohaveherleftlegamputatedbelowthekneeandwasindangeroflosingherlowerrightleg.ABaltimoreresident,BrannockwaseventuallytransferredfromBethIsraelDeaconessMedicalCentertotheUniversityofMaryland,whereBojovicandRodriguezoperatedonher,takingmuscleandtissuefromtheleftsideofherbodyandattachingittoherrightleg,fromankletomid-calf. Inthemonthsthatfollowed,Bojovicoperatedonherseveralmoretimesandtodaythelegisalmostcompletelyhealed. Brannockcan’tsayenoughaboutBojovic’scareandcompassion,explainingthatheevengaveherhiscellnumbertocallanytimewithquestionsorconcerns. “Heisextremelydedicatedandconnectedwithhispatients,”shesays.“He’sverydetailedandthorough,andhe’sgotbyfarthebestbedsidemannerI’veeverseenfromanyoneinthemedicalfield.” Rodriguez,Bojovic’smentorandformerpartner,wholefttheUniversityofMarylandSchoolofMedicinein2013tochairtheDepartmentofPlasticSurgeryatNewYorkUniversity’sLangoneMedicalCenter,praisesBojovicasanunusuallytalentedphysician. “Brankohasreceivedincrediblemedicalandsurgicaltraining,andisoneofthegreatestteammembersIhavehadtheopportunitytoworkwith,”saysRodriguez.“Hisabilitytocareforpatientswouldbedifficultforanyonetoexceed.”

The Village that Raised HimBojovicreturnstoLackawannaabouteveryfourmonthstovisitfamilyandfriends.HehaspaidcloseattentiontothenewUBmedicalschoolbeingbuiltontheBuffaloNiagaraMedicalCampusdowntown,keepingupdatedthroughalumnipublicationsandbytouringthesiteduringhis10th-yearmedicalschoolreuniontwoyearsago. Bojovicsaystheplansforthenewschoolare“fantastic”andisexcitedbywhatitwillmeantoconcentratesomuchhealthcareexpertiseinasingle,dedicatedarea.

“Branko is a wonderfully well-grounded person who wants to help those around him with something he loves to do. There are not many people in the world who have the kind of future he has in plastic surgery.”—Michael Denk, MD ’86, former head of plastic surgery, Buffalo General Medical Center

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“IthinkitwillbegreatnotonlyforBuffalobutalsoforthemedicalschool’sstature—notonlywithinthestatebutnationallyandprobablyinternationally.I’mreallylookingforwardtoseeingwhatkindofsuccesswillfollowsuit,”hesays. BojovicalsotakesprideinhowSerbsinLackawannaandinSerbiahaveheldhimupasarolemodel.Hewas“humbled”tobefeaturedrecentlyinaSerbianmagazineandtoplayaroleincreatingfavorablepublicityfortheSerbianpeople,stillemergingfromthehorrificsectarianstrifethatensuedafterthebreakupoftheformerYugoslavia. FluentinSerbian,BojovicvisitedSerbiaforthefirsttimein2003andreturnsregularlytoseerelativesandnewfriendsandforthechancetobeimmersedinSerbianculture.Inthefuture,hesayshe’dliketo“givesomethingback”byprovidinghands-ontraining,educationandseminarsforphysicians. Inall,Bojovicisgratefulfortheopportunitieshehashadinhislifeandfortheproverbialvillagethatraisedhim.

“IamextraordinarilyfortunatetobewhereIam,”hesays.“Itrytobecognizantofthiseveryday—torecognizeandgivethankstothosewhobroughtmeupandhelpedme.”

Erika Brannock, center, who was injured in the Boston Marathon bombing, is reunited with her medical team at the University of Maryland’s R Adams CowleyShock Trauma Center. Also pictured, from left: her mother, Carol Downing, and surgeons Helen Hui-Chou, MD, Eduardo Rodriguez, MD, DDS (now chair ofthe Department of Plastic Surgery at New York University’s Langone Medical Center), Miguel Medina, MD, and Branko Bojovic, MD ’02.

“It was a true privilege to be involved in that kind of concerted effort and to help someone with an extraordinarily difficult problem get back to a point in life where he could be reintegrated into society.”—Branko Bojovic, MD ’02

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Margarita Dubocovich, PhD, thrives on helping aspiring scientists

A TALENT FOR MENTORING TALENT

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romthestart,Dubocovichexcelledatlearning,andonedayhergrandmothertoldher:“Somedayyouaregoingtogoveryfaraway,andyouaregoingtowritemeletters.”Inthedecadesthatfollowed,Dubocovichdidgofaraway,propelledbyaccomplishmentsinsciencethathavemadeheraninternationally

respectedpharmacologistandbyatalentforbuildingeducationalprogramsaimedatassuringthatnoaspiringyoungscientistbeleftbehindduetorace,gender,ethnicityorhumblenessoforigin. AfteralongandfulfillingcareerthattookhertotheUnitedKingdom,FranceandeventuallytheUnitedStates—whereshespentover26yearsonthefacultyatNorthwesternUniversity’sFeinbergSchoolofMedicineinChicago—Dubocovichcouldhaverestedonherlaurelsandbeguntocontemplateretirement. Instead,in2008sherespondedtoacallfromtheUBSchoolofMedicineandBiomedicalSciencestoapplyforanopeningaschairofitsDepartmentofPharmacologyandToxicology.Followinganationalsearch,Dubocovichwasofferedthepositionandbecamethefirstwomantochairadepartmentintheschool. “Ifeelitwouldhavebeenawasteformetoretire,”shesays.“Iknowalotaboutmentoringfacultyandstudents,andI’mpassionateaboutdiversityandincreasingexcellenceineducationandresearch.” AtUB,Dubocovichimmediatelyturnedherattentiontorecruitinganewgroupoftalentedfacultyfromaroundthecountry,withthefirstrecruitarrivingsixmonthsaftershecameandsixmorefollowinginlessthanthreeyears. Allthenewrecruits,includinganeighthshehiredin2012,arestillatUB,winninggrants,conductingresearchandpublishing. DubocovichalsowastednotimeinreconstructingatUBahighlysuccessfulprogramshebuiltatNorthwesternthatpromotesacademicexcellencebyprovidingstudentsfrom

allwalksoflifewiththesupporttheyneedtoadaptandthriveindoctoralprograms.KnownastheCollaborativeLearningandIntegratedMentoringintheBiosciences(CLIMB)Program,itisopentostudentsinallPhDprogramsinscience,engineering,technologyandmathdisciplines. TheinitiativehassincespawnedahostofotherrelatedprogramsledbyDubocovich,includingtheequallysuc-cessfulCLIMB-UPProgram,aten-weeksummerresearchexperiencethatisopentoundergraduatestudentsfromaroundthecountryandlaysthegroundworkforgraduateschool,especiallyinfieldsrelatedtodrugdiscoveryandtranslationalscience. In2012,MichaelE.Cain,MD,vicepresidentforhealthsciencesatUBanddeanoftheSchoolofMedicineandBiomedicalSciences,namedDubocovichtheinauguralseniorassociatedeanofinclusionandculturalenhance-ment,apositionshecontinuestoholdinadditiontoservingaschair.

A WELL-MENTORED MENTORGivenDubocovich’supbringing,itwouldbenaturaltoassumethathersensitivitytothechallengesfacedbystudentsfromunderrepresentedpopulationsgrewfromherownhard-wonstruggletoovercomecareerlimitationsfacedbyyoungwomeninSouthAmerica. Ironically,whileshedidfaceinbredattitudesthatcouldhavethwartedheraspirations,Dubocovichisthefirsttoemphasizethatsheistheproductofworld-classmentoringgenerouslyofferedbymenandwomenwhowereinternationallyrenownedpharmacologists. ThismayexplainDubocovich’sinfectiousandhard-chargingconfidence,herbuoyantenergyandsenseofhumor. SheisproudofherruralpastandofthelivesherparentsandgrandparentsbuiltinArgentinaasimmigrantsfromCroatiawhoworkedhardtobeself-sufficientfarmers.

Margarita Dubocovich, PhD, was born and raised on a farm in the middle of the Argentinian pampas, a vast grassland region she describes as “super-rural.”

When she was 3 years old, she was sent to live with her grandmother in a nearby town where she attended kindergarten through third grade at the local school, which, although small, was larger than the two-room schoolhouse she would have attended back home.

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Aftercompletingthethirdgradeinthe small town where her grandmother lived,herparentsbroughtherbackhome,wheresheattendedgradesfourthroughseveninthelocaltwo-roomschoolhouse.Althoughtheirparentshadacar,Dubocovichandhersisterrodetoschooleachdayinahorse-drawnbuggy,joinedbyotherbuggiescarryingchildrenfromtheneighbor-ingfarms. “Mysisterdrove,andIopenedallthegates,”Dubocovichrecallswithalaugh.“Itwasfun.”Onceatschool,allthestudentsweretaughtbyoneteacher.“Sotherewasalotofself-study.Irememberdoingthemathmyself—goingthroughtheexercisesinthebook.” InhighschoolDubocovichexcelledinmathandscience.Despitethis,herteachersandfamilyfriendswouldask:“Whyaren’tyoulearningtotypesoyoucanbeasecretary?You’reonlygoingtoraiseafamily,sowhatdoyouwantwiththiseducation?” ButDubocovichknewwhatshewanted.Inhighschool,shesays,she“fellinlovewithchemistryandphysics”anddecidedshewantedtogoontocollege. EducationinArgentinaisfree,andoverthenextdecadeDubocovichcompletedabachelorofsciencedegree—“theequivalentofagoodMSintheUnitedStates”—andadoctorate,withafocusonpharmacology,attheUniversityofBuenosAiresSchoolofNaturalandExactSciences. Foratimeshelivedwithherauntanduncle,whosedaughter,afewyearsolderthanshe,hadcompletedherBSinchemicalbiologyandwasworkinginalaboratoryatanareahospital. HercousinwaswellconnectedandopeneddoorsforDubocovich,eventuallyhelpinghertolandaposi-tioninthelaboratoryofSolomonLanger,MD,whomentoredherthroughherdoctorateandintotheearlystagesofhercareer. “Solwasinternationallyknownandwouldgoabroadalot,”Dubocovichsays.“Hewasareallygoodmentor,too—oneofthosepeoplewhowouldcomeintothelabeachmorningandafternoonandgoovertheexperi-mentaldesignwithmeanddiscussmyfindings.”

DubocovichcompletedfellowshipsattheNationalResearchCouncilandbeganearningabout$40amonth.“Ipreferredworkinginthelabandbeinghappyattheendoftheday,ratherthanbeingunhappysomewhereelseandhavingalotofmoney,”sheexplains. “Atthattime,”sheadds,“mostscientistsinArgentinawerewomen.Mencouldn’tafforditbecauseiftheyhadafamily,theycouldn’tsupportthemonthesalaries,whichwerevery,verylow.”

A PROPHECY FULFILLEDIn1977,DubocovichmovedtoFrancetoworkforLangerwhenhetookajobwithSynthelabo(afterabriefstayinEngland,wheretheybothworkedforWellcomeResearchLaboratories).ShelivedinParisforthreeyears,learnedFrenchandtraveledtheworld. “Itwasafantasticexperience.Inever imagined that I was going to do somethinglikethat,anditmademerecallwhatmygrandmotherhadsaid.” In1980,DubocovichattendedameetinginSanFrancisco,whichledtoherbeingrecruitedtotheUniversityofColoradoHealthSciencesCenter.SheworkedtherefortwoyearsbeforebeingrecruitedtoNorthwesternbyitschairofpharmacology,ToshioNarahashi,PhD,renownedforhisdiscoveryofthenerveblockingactionoftetrodotoxinandcreditedwithestablishingthemodernfieldofionchannelpharmacology. Intheensuingdecades,Dubocovichthrivedasaresearcher,cementingherreputationastheworld’sforemostauthorityonthebrainhormonemelatoninandtheregulationofmelatoninreceptors.Herworkhassignificantlybroadenedunderstand-ingofmelatonin’simpactoncirca-dianrhythms,sleepdisordersand

depression.Shealsoiscreditedwithestablishingthepharmacologicalcharacteristicsandfunctionofmelatoninreceptortypes,whichrevolutionizedthefield,aswellaspioneeringthediscoveryofprototypemelatoninreceptorsagonistandantagonistagents.

AT HOME AT UBDubocovichsaysshecouldn’tbemorepleasedwithhertenureatUBandherlifeinBuffalo.Sheandherhusbandhavesettledinanewhometheyloveandhavere-establishedtheirliveshere. “ComingtoUBhasgivenmetheopportunitytocontributetotheeducationandthedevelopmentofjuniorscientistsaswellastocreateprogramsthatareattractingandmentoringthesesuper-talentedstudentsfromallwalksoflife,whichiswhatdiversityisabout,”shesays. DubocovichcreditsDeanCainwithhelpingtomakethishappenatUBaspartofhisefforttopositiontheSchoolofMedicineandBiomedicalSciencesasaleadplayerintheestablishmentoftheregion’sfirstcomprehensiveacademichealthcenter. “DeanCainisanunbelievableleader,”shesays.“HeisoneofthereasonswhyIacceptedthejobhere.Heknowswhataresearcherneedsandhefacilitatesgettingit,andheknowswhatchairsneedandsupportsactivitiesthatareessentialtobecomingexcellentandevenpre-eminent.ThechangesthathehasmadeheresinceIcamehavebeenamazing.” Inrecentyears,Dubocovichhasonlygainedmomentum.ShehelpedUBwina$1.9milliongrantfromtheNationalInstitutesofHealthtofundtheeducationof20newbiomedicalandbehavioralscientistsfrom

“Coming to UB has given me the opportunity to contribute to the education and the development of junior scientists as well as to create programs that are attracting and mentoring these super-talented students from all walks of life, which is what diversity is about.” —Margarita Dubocovich, PhD

U B M E D I C I N E2 4 W I N T E R 2 0 1 5

Ekue B. Adamah-Biassi, PhD, a graduate of UB’s CLIMB program, is now a research scholar at Wake Forest School of Medicine. A native of New York, N.Y., Adamah-Biassi was raised in Lome, Togo (West Africa) and completed his undergraduate studies in West Virginia before earning his doctorate in pharmacology at UB.

underrepresentedgroupsbetweennowand2016.Theprestigiousgrant—oneofonly44intheU.S.—ispartoftheInitiativeforMaximizingStudentDevelopment(IMSD),aprogramforresearch-intensiveinstitutions. InMay2014,hermanyaccomplishmentsatUBwererecognizedwhenshewasnamedaStateUniversityofNewYork(SUNY)DistinguishedProfessor,thehighestrankintheSUNYsystem. Herdedicationiscomingtofruitionoutinthelargerworld,aswell,wherestudentswhomshehasmentored—suchasEkueB.Adamah-Biassi,PhD—arethriving. “I’mverythankfulfortheopportunitiesthatwereavailabletomewhenIwasinMargarita’slaboratory,”saysAdamah-Biassi,whocompletedhisdoctorateinpharmacologyatUBlastsummerandisnowaresearchscholaratWakeForestSchoolofMedicine.“SheencouragedmetotakeadvantageoftheCLIMBandISEP(InterdisciplinaryScienceandEngineeringPartnership)programs,whichsetmeapartwhenlookingforpostdoctoralopportunities.” Atthispointinhercareer,nothingismoresatisfyingtoDubocovichthanhearingthatstudentssuchasAdamah-Biassifeelwellpreparedfortherigorsofacareerinthebiosciences. “Forme,everybodyisthesame,andIwanttoseethesamethingsofferedtoeveryone,”shesays.“That’showthemixofdiversitycomesabout.It’sthatsimple.”

To learn more about the professional development programs described in this article, go tobuffalo.edu/climb,or contact Elizabeth Marshall atam6@buffalo.eduor (716) 829-5219.

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U B M E D C O L L A B O R A T I O N S

Insomeindividuals,thebody’simmunesystemstartstoattackmyelin,thefattysheaththatprotectsnervefiberstransportinginformationtoandfrommusclesandthecentralnervoussystem.Overtime,thisdestroysthefibersandleadstosymptomsofmultiplesclerosis(MS). NearlyhalfamillionpeopleintheUnitedStatescurrentlysufferfromMS,andeachyearapproximately10,000newcasesarediagnosed. MShasnoknowncauseand,todate,nocure.ButifBarbaraandJimKalecgettheirwish,thisgrimfactwillchangeintheirlifetime.TheWesternNewYorkcouple,whosedaughterChristiesuffersfromrelapsing-remittingMS,hasjoinedforceswithFraserSim,PhD,assistantprofessorofpharmacologyandtoxicology,tochangetheprognosisforthoseafflictedbythedisease. Simandhisteamrecentlygainedworld-wideattentionwhentheyannouncedamajordiscoverythatbringsresearchersclosertothegoaloftreatingMSbytrans-plantingintopatientsthebraincellsthatmakemyelin.

A Multigenerational StruggleTheKalecshavealonghistorywithUBandanequallylongrelationshipwithMS.JimKalec’sfather,BernardKalec,MD,workedintheUBStudentHealthCenterfrom1977to1995,andsufferedfromprimary-progressiveMS.

Havingwatchedhisfatherbattlethediseaseformanyyears,Jimknowshowdifficultitcanbe.“Mydadwouldhaveabouttwoepisodesayear,”herecalls.“Theywouldknockhimoutforaweekto10days,andthenhe’dgetbackontrack.”Eventually,thediseaseprogressedtothepointwheretheseniorKalecwasforcedtotakeadeskpositionatthehealthcenter,andin2000hedied. In2004,theKalecs’daughterChristiewasdiagnosedwithrelapsing-remittingMS,aformofthediseasethatcausesintermittentepisodesthatcanlastafewdaysorseveralweeksandmayconcludewithafullrecoveryorwithlingeringneurologicaldeficits.Sinceherdiagnosis,themedicationsusedtotreatthediseasehaveimproved,andtodayChristieisabletocontrolhersymptomswithoralmedicationsratherthaninjections.Thischangehasnotonlybeenveryfreeingfortheirdaughter,theKalecssay,butalsohasheightenedtheirdesiretofundresearchonthedisease.

InspiredbyChristie’sprogress,theKalecsformedtheKalecMSFoundation.Theyarekeentoseetheircontributionsputtouseatalocalandregionallevel,andsupportingSim’sresearchoffersthemanidealopportunitytohaveanimpactclosetohome. “Wewanttohelpfindacure,”Barbarasays.“Christieisonly30—shehasherwholelifeaheadofher.” InFebruary2014,shortlyafterformingtheirfoundation,theKalecsreceivedaninvitationfromtheirlocalMSchaptertoattendalecturebySiminwhichhetalkedaboutadrughisteamhadidentifiedthatcouldimprovethepotentialofhumancellstoremyelinatebraincells. WhentheKalecsheardSimspeak,theywereimpressedwiththepassionheexudedforhiswork.“Weknewwewantedtoconcentrateonresearchfunding,andmeetingFraserreallyhelpedtochannelourefforts,”saysJim. “We’reconfidentthatDr.Sim’sworkwillhaveamajorimpactonthetreatmentofMSdowntheroad,”addsBarbara,“andwe’recommittedtohelpinghimfurtherhisresearchinwhateverwaypossible.We’reinitforthelonghaul.”

One Step CloserInJune2014,Simandhisteamstirredexcitementinternationallywhentheyannouncedthattheyhadidentifiedthesingletranscriptionfactor,or“masterswitch”—calledSOX10—thatinitiatesthecriticalmyelinationprocessinthebrain,adiscoverythatbringsresearchersonestepclosertothepossibilityoftreatingMSbytransplantingintopatientsthebraincellsthatmakemyelin. “NowthatwehaveidentifiedSOX10asaninitiatorofmyelination,wecanworkondevelopingaviralorpharmaceuticalapproachtoinducingitinMSpatients,”saysSim.“Ifwecouldcreateasmall

A FAMILY TEAMS UP WITH RESEARCHERS TO BATTLE MSProviding funds to support breakthrough studies led by Fraser Sim, PhD

By Lo r i Fe r g U S o n

“We’re confident that Dr. Sim’s work will have a major impact on the treatment of MS

down the road, and we’re committed to helping him further his research in whatever way possible. We’re in it for the long haul.”

—Barbara KalecFraser Sim, PhD

U B M E D I C I N E2 6 W I N T E R 2 0 1 5

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moleculedrugthatwouldswitchonSOX10,itwouldbetherapeuticallyimportant.” StemcelltherapyisseenashavingdramaticpotentialfortreatingMS,buttherearekeyobstacles,especiallythelengthoftimeittakesforprogenitorcellstoturnintooligodendrocytes,thebrain’smyelin-makingcells.Usingcurrentlyavailablemethods,ittakesmanystepsandaslongasayeartogenerateasufficientnumberofhumanoligodendrocytecellstotreatasingleMSpatient,Simexplains. “Ideally,we’dliketogetdirectlytooligodendrocyteprogenitors,”hesays.“Thenewresultsareasteppingstonetotheoverallgoalofbeingabletotakeapatient’sskincellsorbloodcellsandcreatefromthemoligodendrocyteprogenitors. “Ifwecanfindawaytohalttheprogressionofthedisease,”headds,“itbecomesmuchmoretolerableforthepatient.Ifyoudon’tsufferfrompermanent

disabilitiessuchaslossofbladderfunctionormobility,youcanliveamorenormallife.”

Happy to Be a Part of ItTheKalecs’initialcommitmentallowedSimtopurchaseanupgradetoamicroscope.Havingtheflexibilitytoapplythefundswheretheyaremostneededisanincrediblegiftinandofitself,Simexplains.“Alotoffoundationdollarsarepre-allocatedforspecificpurchases,buttheKalecspermittedmetoapplythefundswhereIfelttheywouldbemosthelpful.” Recently,theKalecsannouncedasecond,multiyearcommitmentthatbringsthemintotheCircleofVisionaries,whichrecognizesdonorswhomakecommitmentsof$100,000ormoretotheschool. GivenherpersonalstakeinMSresearch,ChristieKalecisespeciallyexcitedaboutSim’sadvances.She’sbeenonalloftheFDA-approveddrugsforstoppingthe

Barbara, Christie and Jim Kalec

disease’sprogressionandatpresentisdoingwell;however,shehassufferedsomeopticnervedamage,andtheprospectofreversingthatinjuryisheartening. “TheremyelinationprocessthatDr.Simisexploringisfascinating,”shesays.“He’slookingattreatmentsthatcouldrestorefunctionandgetridofthesymptomsthatsometimesoccur,withorwithoutanepisode.He’snotjustlookingtostopthedisease’sprogression,buttorestoredamagedtissueaswell.It’saverydifferentapproachtothetreatmentofMS.Dr.Sim’sworkhasthepotentialtohelppeoplewithalltypesofMS,andI’mreallyhappyourfamily’sfoundationcanbeapartofit.”

To support the Multiple Sclerosis Research Fund in Pharmacology and Toxicology, go to giving.buffalo.edu/ms-research.

Ellen Goldbaum contributed to this story.

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U B M E D C O L L A B O R A T I O N S

Optimistsmaybelieve“Ifyoubuildit,theywillcome,”buttherationalebehindtheopeningofUB’sClinicalandTranslationalResearchCenter(CTRC)ontheBuffaloNiagaraMedicalCampuswasmorelike“We’rehere.Let’sbuildit!” Today,thisresource-richfacility,rootedinclientneedanddemand,isfertilegroundfortheacceleratedtrans-lationofUB’sinnovativeresearchintonewandimprovedtherapies. Nowtwoyearsold,theCTRC,whichsharesabuildingwithKaleidaHealth’sGatesVascularInstitute,servesasacriticalresourceforUBinvestigators,traineesandcommunitypartners.Expertsintranslationalresearch,drugdevelopment,imaging,biostatistics,informaticsandregulatoryandethicalstandards,amongothers,areavailabletoprovidehands-ontechnicalsupportandguidancetoresearchers. LocatedintheCTRCisanine-roomoutpatientClinicalResearchCenter(CRC),the“hub”ofclinicalresearchatUB.Thisstate-of-theartsharedresourceprovidesinvestigatorswiththetoolstheyneedtoconductefficient,regulation-compliantclinicalresearchstudiesinalignmentwithbestpracticesandnationalstandardsofexcellence,saysTimothyF.Murphy,MD,directoroftheCTRC. Thecenter’schecklistofresearchsupportservicesisexhaustive,and

assistanceisavailableforalltypesofclinicalstudies—NationalInstitutesofHealth-funded,investigator-initiated,industry-sponsoredandmulti-institutionalcollaborations—withplanstosupportothertypesofresearchactivityconductedbyfacultyacrossUB. BeforetheCRCopened,UBinvestigatorswereessentiallyontheirowntodesigntheirstudies,writetheprotocol,learnandinterpretregulations,navigatetheapprovalprocess,accruepatientsandcollectandanalyzethedata.Lessexperiencedfacultyhadnoplacetoturnforhelp. “Now,withtheCRC,weassistyoungerfacultytobuildtheirowninfrastructurebyprovidingsoup-to-nutssupport,”saysMurphy.“ForthemandallUBresearchfaculty,we’reessentiallyheretoenhancethequalityandefficiencyoftheirstudiesthroughthestandardizationofpoliciesandprocedures.” Currently,thecentersupportsabout70studies,includingthosefocusedonnew

drugtherapiesforhepatitisCandheartdisease,moreeffectiveimagingdevicesandrefinementofsurgicaltechniques.

Our Way of Giving BackTheCRCrecentlyreceivedasignificantboostfromtheCharlesandMaryBauerFoundation,whichprovidedamajorgifttosupportasalarylineforaclinicalresearchnursemanagerposition. “WebelieveinBuffalo,”saysMaryBauer.“It’sourwayofgivingbacktoacommunitythathasbeenverygoodtous.” It’scalled“givingwhileliving”andsomeofitswell-knownproponentsincludeBillGatesandWarrenBuffett.“Atleastforus,givingwhilewearealiveallowsustowitnesstheimpactofourgiftandthegoodit’sdoing,”saysCharlesBauer,MD’46,anativeofBuffalo. “IhadanopportunitytomeetDr.Bauer,”saysKimBrunton,RN,MSN,thecenter’sclinicalresearchnursemanager.“Asaphysician,heunderstandsthechallengesofadvancingresearchtothestagewhereitgeneratessuccessfulreal-worldapplicationstobenefitpatients.” BruntonandPamAnderson,RN,BSN,manageroftheclinicaltrialsoffice,runtheday-to-dayoperationsoftheCRC. “Togetstudieslaunched,meticulousplanningandatremendousamountoftimearerequired,”saysMurphy.“Thenursemanagerworkswiththeprincipalinvestigator,determinesstaffingneeds,helpswiththedesignoftheprotocolandcoordinationofclinicalstudiesandensuresstandardsaremetandstudiesareincompliance.Experienceandguidancearecriticaltothispositiontoensurequalityresearch. “TheBauers’giftisaninvestmentinourfutureandourexcellence,”hecontinues.“Bysupportingacriticalsalaryline,theirgifttranslatesintostabilityofakeypositionintheCRC.Dr.andMrs.Bauerhavegiven

STUDY VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS AID RESEARCHERS

“The Bauers’ gift is an investment in our future and our excellence. By supporting a critical salary line, their gift translates into stability of a key position in the Clinical Research Center.”

— Timothy F. Murphy, MD, director, Clinical and Translational Research Center

Clinical Research Center bolstered by gift from the Charles and Mary Bauer Foundation

By Co L L e e n ka r U z a

U B M E D I C I N E2 8 W I N T E R 2 0 1 5

usahugeboosttobesuccessful,particularlyduringtimeswhenfundingbecomesmoreandmoreprecarious.”

The Beneficiaries of ResearchOnasunnyThursdaymorning,CamilleBrennan is making her 32nd visit to the CRC toparticipateinastudytotestanewdrug’seffectivenessagainstcirrhosisoftheliver,achronicdiseasethatcausespermanentliverdamage.Inall,shewillvisittheCRC96times. “Iamhopingthatonedaytherewillbeadrugavailablethatcanreverseortreatmydiseasemoreeffectively,”Brennansays.“There’sastigmaassociatedwithlivercirrhosis,andmanyassumeitisalwaysalcoholrelated,which,asmydiagnosisshows,itisnot.OneofthereasonsIamhereistolearnifIhaveageneticpredisposition to this disease so that Icanpassthisinformationontomysonsandgrandchild. Ifyoulookatthenumbers,Brennanis

atrailblazer.Acrossthecountry,lessthan5percentofeligiblepatientstakepartinclinicalstudies,andgettingthesenumbersup,saysMurphy,hasbecomeanationalpriority. OneofthewaysthatUBisaddressingthisisthroughResearchMatch,anationalregistryforclinicalresearchvolunteers.ThegoalofResearchMatchistoconnectpeoplewhoaretryingtofindresearchstudieswithresearcherswhoarelookingforpeopletoparticipateintheirstudies.Todate,about70,00individualshaveregisteredwiththenationalnetwork. “WhenUBjoinedtheregistry,about90individualswerefromWesternNewYork.Todaythatnumberhasrisentoabout600,”saysMurphy.“Andwhilethisisatremendousimprovement,weneedtoseethosenumbersriseintothethousandstomakeanimpact.” CamilleBrennanencouragesallindividualstoconsiderparticipatinginaclinicalstudy.“Whetheryouarehelping

Timothy F. Murphy, MD, and Kim Brunton, RN, MSNTimothy F. Murphy, MD, and Kim Brunton, RN, MSN

yourselforsomeoneelse,you’readdingtosociety’sunderstandingofscienceandmedicine,andweallbenefit,”shesays. Anotherwaytoincreasethosenumbers,saysMurphy,isforUBtocollaboratewithitshealth-carepartnersandteachingaffiliates. “ToimprovethehealthofpeopleinWesternNewYorkandbeyond,weneedtoworktogethertoquicklyassimilateresearchfindingsintocommunitypractice,”Murphysays. “Thebestwaytodothisistopromotecommunityawarenessofandinvolvementinclinicalandtranslationalresearch.Thisisakeyroleofanacademichealthcenter.WiththeClinicalResearchCenter,UBisworkingcloselywithourclinicalpartnersontheBuffaloNiagaraMedicalCampustohelpleadthiseffortinourcommunity.”

To learn more about participating as a volunteer in a research study, go to ResearchMatch.org or contact Kim Brunton at (716) 888-4840.

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U B M E D D O C T O R V I S I T S

“It’s incredibly fulfilling to help

patients manage diseases of the liver

and offer them new treatments.”

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ADVANCED TREATMENTS FOR LIVER DISEASEAnthony Martinez brings timely expertise to Buffalo

AnthonyMartinez,MD,reelsoffthedauntingstatisticsrelatedtoliverdiseasewithaneasebornoffamiliarity.Forexample,hesays,therearecurrentlyabout6millionpeopleintheU.S.

infectedwithhepatitisCvirus(HCV),themajorityofwhomwerebornbetween1945and1965.Martinezisaspecialistindiseasesoftheliver,includingviralhepatitisandalcoholicandfattyliverdisease.He’sonthefrontlinesoffightingthesemaladies,andhe’sincrediblyexcitedtobethere. AsclinicalassociateprofessorinUB’sDepartmentofMedicineandmedicaldirectorofhepatologyatErieCountyMedicalCenter(ECMC),Martinezisinvolvedineveryaspectofthebattleagainstliverdisease.HemanagescomprehensiveliverdiseaseclinicsatECMCandBuffaloGeneralMedicalCenter,aswellasatathirdclinicatECMCthatspecializesinpatientswithaHCV/HIVco-infection.Heteachesfellows,residentsandmedicalstudentswhorotatethroughtheclinics;participatesinclinicaltrials;and,amongothercollaborations,workswithfacultyinUB’sResearchInstituteonAddictionsonwaystolinkopiate-dependentHCVpatientswithcare.HealsostudiesnewwaystodeliverHCVtreatments,andiscurrentlytakingpartinaCDC-fundedtelemedicinestudywithamethadoneclinicinNewYorkCity.

AnativeofProvidence,RI,MartinezcompletedhisresidencyininternalmedicineatBostonUniversityandafellowshipinhepatitisCevaluationandmanagementandaddictionmedicineatCornellUniversity.HismentoratCornell,AndrewTalal,MD,waslaterrecruitedtoUB,anditwashewhoencouragedMartineztocomehere. MartinezjoinedtheUBfacultyin2013fromtheUniversityofCaliforniaatSanDiego.Hewasattracted,hesays,byagutfeelingandthechancetomakeadifference.“WhenIfirstvisitedBuffalo,Ifeltsomethinghappeningthat’stoughtoexplain.Ifoundthecity’senergyincrediblycompelling,IlovedthepeopleIencounteredandIwaseagertogetbacktoafour-seasonclimate. “Iwasreallyimpressedbytheuniversity’sleadershipandthedirectiontheschoolwasgoingin,”Martinezcontinues,“andIwasexcitedtobeapartofit.AtthetimeIwasrecruited,theliverprogramsatECMCandBuffaloGeneralwereintheirnascence,andIsawahugeopportunitytoparticipateintheirdevelopmentandhaveamajorimpactonthecommunity.It’sincrediblyfulfillingtohelppatientsmanagediseasesoftheliverandofferthemnewtreatments. “Buffaloisanamazing,historiccityandI’mthrilledtobeherewithmywifeanddaughter,”Martinezsays.“I’vereceivedagreatdealofsupportsinceIstarted.I’moutinthecommunityalot,talkingtopatientsandproviders,andeveryoneisinterestedineducationalinitiatives.Therelocationofthemedicalschoolisreallydrawingpeoplebacktodowntown.Manyyoungprofessionalsarerecognizingtheremarkableopportunitieshereandthey’rejumpinginwithbothfeet.Iviewmytimehereasaonce-in-a-lifetimeopportunity.”

St o r i e S B y

Lo r i Fe r g U S o n

U B M E D I C I N E3 0 W I N T E R 2 0 1 5

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“The patient-centered medical home structure is helping us to define a new model for primary care.”

A FOCUS ON QUALITY, PATIENT-CENTERED CAREJohn Fudyma chief of general internal medicine

JohnFudyma,MD’85,hasseendramatictransformationsinhealthcaredeliveryoverthecourseofhiscareer,andhe’sconfidentit’salltothegood.Indeed,Fudymahimselfhasplayedakeyroleinthischangesince2011,whenAnneB.Curtis,MD,CharlesandMaryBauerProfessorandChairofMedicine,recruitedhimbacktoUBtoserveaschiefoftheDivisionofGeneralInternalMedicine. Fudymahasbeeninvolvedinseveralclinicalinitiativesfocusedonimprovingthequalityandeffectivenessofhealthcaredelivery.Hehashelpedseveraloftheschool’steachingaffiliatesattainNationalCommitteeforQualityAssurance(NCQA)PatientCenteredMedicalHome(PCMH)recognitionfortheirUBMDinternalmedicineclinics.HehasalsoworkedonthedevelopmentofanacademichospitalistmodelfortheDepartmentofMedicineandhasbeeninstrumentalinplanninganintegratedprimarycarenetworkwithinUBMDandGreatLakesHealth. FudymaiswellpositionedtoevaluatethechallengesandopportunitiesforUBmedicalschool,havingspentalargeportionofhiscareerathisalmamater.Afterearninghismedicaldegree,hetrainedininternalmedicineatUBandthenjoinedthefacultyofinternalmedicine. From2002to2008,FudymaservedasthechiefmedicalofficerforErieCountyMedicalCenter(ECMC),amajorteachingaffiliateof

UB,andfrom2008to2011,heservedinthesamerolefortheSenecaNationHealthDepartment.Duringthisperiodheearnedamaster’sofpublichealthdegreeatColumbiaUniversity’sMailmanSchoolofPublicHealth. “AftercompletingmyMPH,AnneCurtisofferedmetheopportunitytoreturntoECMCtoworkonimprovingthepatientexperience,”Fudymasays.“Isawitasadualopportunity.First,itofferedmethechancetoreturntoanacademicenvironment.Imissedtheintellectualstimulationofinterfacingwithmycolleagues,andIwaseagertoresumemyinvolvementwithmedicalstudentsandresidents.Additionally,Iwelcomedtheopportunitytobeinvolvedinrollingoutanelectronicinformationsystem,whichIbelievecanaidusindeliveringthehighestqualitycaretoourpatients.” SincereturningtoUB,Fudymahasmadeitaprioritytoworkwithstudents,residentsandfacultyinUBMDinternalmedicineclinicsonwaystoimprovepatientandphysiciancommunication. “WhenIwasinmedicalschool,thetrainingwasverydisease-centric,”henotes.“Thefocuswasondiseasemanagementandexperientiallearning.Today,thegoalispatient-centric,whichIbelieveistherightemphasis. “Thepatient-centeredmedicalhomestructureishelpingustodefineanewmodelforprimarycarethatallowsphysicianstoslowdownandspendthetimetheyneedtotreateachpatienteffectively.We’reteachingresidentsandfacultytothinkbeyonddiseasetoasystems-basedapproachandhelpingthemtousetheavailabletechnologytobestadvantage.We’reredesigninghealthcaredelivery,andI’mdelightedtobeapartofit.”

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U B M E D P A T H W A Y S

Guttuso led a successful effort to form a single, unified UB-sponsored ophthalmology program. This was accomplished by incorporating what were then three strong clinical sites—at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, the Buffalo VA Medical Center and ECMC. He then served as program director in this new Department of Ophthalmology from 1985 to 1988.

Guttuso has received numerous honors for his contributions to the medical school. He received the Distinguished Medical Alumnus Award in 1995 and the Dean’s Award in 2001.

HUGHES NAMED TO LEADERSHIP POSITION AT KALEIDA

David P. Hughes, MD ’95, MPH, senior associate dean for clinical affairs at UB, has been named executive vice president and chief medical officer for Kaleida

Health, a major teaching affiliate of the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

He will continue in his role as senior associate dean at UB, responsible for optimizing the clinical performance of the medical school’s academic programs.

An accomplished physician, business owner, entrepreneur

GUTTUSO SERVES AS ALUMNI PRESIDENT

Thomas J. Guttuso, MD ’60, is the 2014-15 president of the Medical Alumni Association (MAA), a role that caps many years of outstanding service to UB andto the medical communityin Buffalo.

“I feel it is truly an honor to serve as the president of the MAA,” Guttuso says. “It is a fulfilling

experience for me, as I have such a strong appreciation for all the medical school has done for me.

“As president, my goal is to improve the already excellent relationship the MAA has with the medical school administra-tion and with the Office of Medical Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement. I feel strongly that if we continue to work together we can accomplish a great deal; for example, we have realized a significant increase in the Alumni Scholarship Fund and have built strong relationships with current students—the future members of our MAA.”

Guttuso served as director of medical school admissions for 20 years (1982-2002) and assistant dean for admissions (1988-2002).

As chair of ophthalmology at Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) in the late 1970s and early ’80s,

and engineer, Hughes previously served as senior vice president and chief clinical integration officer for Kaleida Health.

He also has served as Kaleida Health’s medical director for employee health, an attending physician in emergency medicine at Kaleida Health and Erie County Medical Center, an assistant clinical professor in emergency medicine for UB, as well as the president of the governing board for UB’s physician practice plan, UBMD.

Hughes received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Kettering University. He completed medical school at UB, a residency in emergency medicine at Wake Forest Uni-versity Medical Center, anda master’s degree in publichealth from the MedicalCollege of Wisconsin.

MCMAHON AND TURKOVICH APPOINTED CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICERS

Colin J. McMahon, MD ’90, has been named vice president and chief

medical officer at Buffalo General Medical Center (BGMC)

and Stephen

J. Turkovich,

MD ’03, has been named

vice president and chief medical officer at the Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo.

McMahon previously served as medical director of hospital operations at BGMC; Turkovich,

a clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at UB, previously served as quality and patient safety officer and as co-medical director of the newborn nursery at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo.

“Physician leadership is imperative if we are going to change culture and improve quality, safety and service to our patients,” says David Hughes, MD ’95, executive vice president and chief medical officer for Kaleida Health. “Drs. McMahon and Turkovich are outstanding leaders and will serve as direct, on-site medical administrators to facilitate our patient experience and quality of care initiatives.”

McMahon received his bachelor of science degree in biology from SUNY-Fredonia, and his medical degree from UB. He has also served as director of adult services at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and pediatric medical director at HighPointeon Michigan.

Turkovich received his bachelor of arts degree in anthropology, as well as his medical degree from UB. He completed his pediatric residency at Golisano Children’s Hospital, University of Rochester.

U B M E D I C I N E3 2 W I N T E R 2 0 1 5

MUKESH K. JAIN LEADS AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION

Mukesh K. Jain, MD ’91, a nationally renowned researcher, has been elected president of the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI), one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious physician-scientist societies.

Jain joins an elite group, including past presi-dents who have gone on to leadership roles at the National Institutes of Health, as well as numerous academic medical centers throughout the United States. Previous presidents also

include several members of the National Academy of Sciences as well as Lasker Award and Nobel Prize recipients.

Jain is a professor of medicine, Ellery Sedgwick Jr. Chair and director of the Case Cardiovascular Research Institute at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine. He also serves as the chief research officer for the Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute at University Hospitals Case Medical Center.

In the early 2000s, Jain gained international recognition when his laboratory identified a family of factors called Kruppel-like Factors that regulate critical aspects of cardiovascular biology, innate immunity and metabolism. The discovery has subsequently spawned research that has therapeutic implications for many disease areas, including chronic

inflammatory disorders, heart disease and metabolic dysregulation.

Prior to stepping in as president of the ASCI, Jain served as vice president and president-elect of the society, whose mission is to support the scientific efforts, educational needs and clinical applications of physician-scientists to improve human health.

In these roles, Jain has helped introduce a new national grants program to support the translational efforts of physician-scientists and has established an international prize to recognize individuals who have successfully moved a fundamental discovery into the clinic. He also established a program to support young physician-scientists “at a particularly vulnerable stage in their careers, when they are startingtheir own independent research programs.”

In his role as president, Jain is spearheading an initiative that will allow for greater medical student engagement in the ASCI and is working with top investigators to establish international chapters of the ASCI in South America, Asia and Europe. “The goal,” he says, “is to develop a global ecosystem of physician-scientists.”

A recipient of numerous awards, Jain has also been elected to the Association of American Physicians, and the Association of University Cardiologists, and is a fellow of the American Heart Association. He was the recipient of Harvard Medical School’s 2005 Mentorship Award and the 2009 Case Western Reserve and University Hospitals Case Medical Center Agre Award.

JAMES PLATT WHITE SOCIETY

James Platt White was many things—physician, educator, researcher and philanthropist—a true visionary who was the driving force to build a medical school to serve the people of Western New York back in 1846. If he were alive today, he most certainly would be proud of how far we’ve come, and especially where we are going.

Named for this exceptional man, the James Platt White Society is proud to honor today’s donors who demonstrate Dr. White’s philanthropic spirit by supporting the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences with an annual leadership gift of $1,000 or more.

You are invited to join this most distinguished group of donors, who believe that higher education is important to the health and prosperity of the world. Every gift is important and valued.

Please contact Diane Giuliano, Office of Medical Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, to discuss how you would like to structure an annual gift.

Email: dgiulian@buffalo.edu or phone at 716-881-1377, or visit giving.buffalo.edu/schools/medicine to make a gift today.

Donors will be acknowledged and listed on the James Platt White Society honor roll.

On December 2, the Medical Alumni Association’s governing board On December 2, the Medical Alumni Association’s governing board gathered for the annual Past Presidents, Scholars and Friends dinner gathered for the annual Past Presidents, Scholars and Friends dinner reception, kicking off the holiday season and honoring the legacy of the reception, kicking off the holiday season and honoring the legacy of the Medical Alumni Association. Medical Alumni Association.

Pictured here, along with current president Thomas Guttuso Sr., MD ’60, Pictured here, along with current president Thomas Guttuso Sr., MD ’60, are past presidents (first row, from left) Sylvia Regalla, MD ’75, Harold are past presidents (first row, from left) Sylvia Regalla, MD ’75, Harold Levy, MD ’46, Edmond Gicewicz, MD ’56, Margaret Paroski, MD ’80; and Levy, MD ’46, Edmond Gicewicz, MD ’56, Margaret Paroski, MD ’80; and (back row, from left) Charles Severin, MD ’97, Donald Copley, MD ’70, (back row, from left) Charles Severin, MD ’97, Donald Copley, MD ’70, Jared Barlow Sr., MD ’66, John Bodkin II, MD ’76, Sanford Levy, MD ’86, Jared Barlow Sr., MD ’66, John Bodkin II, MD ’76, Sanford Levy, MD ’86, John Przylucki, MD ’73, Helen Cappuccino, MD ’88, Richard Collins, MD John Przylucki, MD ’73, Helen Cappuccino, MD ’88, Richard Collins, MD ’83, Elizabeth Maher, MD ’85, Thomas Guttuso Sr., MD ’60, John Coyne, ’83, Elizabeth Maher, MD ’85, Thomas Guttuso Sr., MD ’60, John Coyne, MD ’85.MD ’85.

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MAA PAST PRESIDENTS HONOREDIn recognition of their legacy

3 3U B M E D I C I N EW I N T E R 2 0 1 5

U B M E D P A T H W A Y S

AVERY K. ELLIS, MD ’77, PHD ’79, MBA

—Cardiologist and Curriculum Dean

Avery K. Ellis, MD ’77, PhD ’79, MBA, senior associate dean for medical curriculum and associate professor of medicine and physiology, died suddenly on November 7 in Chicago, where he was attending a medical conference. He was 64.

Ellis coordinated and implemented all activities related to the medical school’s curriculum, including development, educational research, outcome evaluation and instructional enhancements.

“Dr. Ellis was a key member of the medical school’s leadership team,” said Michael E. Cain, MD, vice president for health sciences and dean, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. “He was instrumental in bringing innovative approaches to our always evolving medical curriculum, ensuring that our students receive an outstanding education.

“We relied on Dr. Ellis’ thoughtful counsel related to advancements in our medical educational programs, particularly in the areas of outcomes assessment and teaching effectiveness,” Cain added. “We will miss him as a colleague, teacher and friend.”

Prior to assuming the medical curriculum deanship in 2008, Ellisdirected UB’s cardiology fellowship and served as chief of staff at the VA Western New York Healthcare System, where he was responsible for a budget of tens of millions of dollars.

One of Ellis’ longtime UB colleagues recalled him as a dedicated teacher, mentor and colleague.

“Teaching was one of Avery’s passions, and he was a master at it,” said David Milling, MD ’93, senior associate dean for student and academic affairs. “He had a critical impact on our medical students’ education

—especially, but not limited to, the preclinical years. In the Office of Medical Education, he was an integral team member. His unique sense of humor was known to all of us, and we will miss him dearly.”

Second-year medical student Sam Racette described Ellis as the ideal medical school professor.

“Not only was Dr. Ellis extraordinarily gifted at integrating basic science concepts into the clinical setting, but he was a role model who showed us how the best doctors think and reason. He will be missed for many reasons, but his abilities in the classroom make him irreplaceable.”

A Buffalo native, Ellis graduated from Cornell University and received his doctorate in physiology and medical degree from UB. He completed his residency and cardiology fellowship at Stanford University Hospital. In 1999, he received a master’s degree in business administration from Duke University.

A fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, Ellis was a member of the American Society of Echocardiography and the New York State Cardiology Society.

Surviving Ellis are his wife of 40 years, Nitza (Farhi) Ellis, MD; two sons, Robert A. and Noah D.; his mother, Mary Ann; a brother, Neil R.; and a sister, Laura.

Memorial gifts in his honor can be directed to: UB Foundation,Office of Medical Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, 901 Kimball Tower, Buffalo, NY 14214. Please note that your gift is in honor ofDr. Avery Ellis.

I N M E M O R I A M

N O M I N AT E A D I S T I N G U I S H E D M E D I C A L O R B I O M E D I C A L A L U M N U S / A

Each year we present a Distinguished Medical and Biomedical Alumnus/a Award to an MD and PhD graduate of our school.

The Medical Alumni Association and the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences invite you to submit nominations.

To review criteria and submit a nomination, go to medicine.buffalo.edu/alumni/nominate.

U B M E D I C I N E3 4 W I N T E R 2 0 1 5

LOOKING FOR A WAY TO GROW YOUR INCOME?

A charitable gift annuity lets you earn fixed income while you support UB.

+ Receive guaranteed income for life

+ Reduce your taxes

+ Create a named scholarship

+ Help support the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

WWW.GIVING.BUFFALO.EDU/PLANNED

AGE RATE

60 4.4%65 4.7%70 5.1%75 5.8%80 6.8%85 7.8%90 9.0%

For information, contact:

Wendy Irving, Esq.

Assistant Vice President

Office of Gift Planning

Toll-free: 877-825-3422

Email: dev-pg@buffalo.edu

Charitable gift annuity rates

R E U N I O N W E E K E N D 2 0 1 5 — S A V E T H E D A T E

F R I D A Y , M A Y 2 9 – S A T U R D A Y , M A Y 3 0

Friday, May 29Friday, May 29 Distinguished Medical and Biomedical Alumni Awards and Alumni Distinguished Medical and Biomedical Alumni Awards and Alumni Cocktail PartyCocktail Party

Saturday, May 30Saturday, May 30Spring Clinical Day and Scholarly Exchange DaySpring Clinical Day and Scholarly Exchange DayReunion Class Dine-a-RoundsReunion Class Dine-a-Rounds

Make your hotel reservations today by calling Hampton Suites, 220 Delaware Avenue, Make your hotel reservations today by calling Hampton Suites, 220 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY, at (716) 855-2223.Buffalo, NY, at (716) 855-2223.

RSVP by emailing ubmedre@buffalo.edu, or by phone at (716) 829-2773.RSVP by emailing ubmedre@buffalo.edu, or by phone at (716) 829-2773.

For more information, visit our website at medicine.buffalo.edu/alumni, For more information, visit our website at medicine.buffalo.edu/alumni, or join UBMED Reunion 2015 on Facebook.or join UBMED Reunion 2015 on Facebook.

1945, 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980,

1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015

Celebrating the milestone years

3 5U B M E D I C I N EW I N T E R 2 0 1 5

U B M E D Q & A

A simple, inexpensive hand-held respiratory device invented by an engineer and commercialized by Buffalo-based Medical Acoustics has been shown in a clinical study led by Sanjay Sethi, MD, chief of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, to improve symptoms in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The device, called the Lung Flute®, generates low-frequency sound waves to loosen mucous in the lungs when the user blows into it. UB clinicians are now researching its uses with other lung diseases. UB Medicine asked Medical Acoustics CEO Frank Codella to describe how his company has benefited from partnering with UB.

Q: What makes UB a good research partner for Medical Acoustics?A:InthecaseofDr.Sethi,he’saprominentresearcherinpulmonarymedicine—especiallyintheworldofCOPD—andsincethat’sthediseasewe’refocusedonwithourdevice,thefitisideal.TheclinicaltrialsheconductedontheLungFlutewerecriticaltoourobtainingFDAclearanceandtoourbeingabletocommercializethedevice.

Q: How did you initiate that research project with UB? A:Itwasalmosthappenstance.IwasintroducedtoDr.RobertGenco(viceprovostforScience,TechnologyTransferandEconomicOutreach)ataneventaboutthevisionforthenewmedicalcampus.Idescribedtheconceptbehindourdevice,andhesuggestedIcontactDr.SanjaySethiandDr.TimMurphy,thinkingtheywereresearcherswhomighthelpus.WhenImetthem,IknewI’dhitthejackpotbecausetheyareamongthetopCOPDresearchersinthenation.

Q: With the Internet making proximity less important, how does being located in the same town with UB make a difference to Medical Acoustics?A:Itcertainlyhelps.EventhoughyoucantranscenddistancenowwiththeInternet,Istillbelievethere’snosubstituteforpersonalcontacts,personalrelationships.Youspendtimearoundthewatercoolerandmaybeyoucomeupwithanideathatleadstoanewdeviceoranewuseforadevice.

Q: Are you engaged in new projects with UB researchers?A:We’reworkingwithDr.StanleySchwartz,whoischiefofallergy,immunologyandrheumatology,doingastudytolookattheimpactofdailyuseoftheLungFluteonpeoplewithasthma.Doesitreducerelianceonrescueinhalers?Doesitsupportbronchialhygienetherapy?It’sapilotstudywithjust48subjects—aproofofconcept.We’vebeenhearingfromdoctorsandpatientsanecdotallythatithelps,andnowwewantamorerigorousinvestigation.

Q: How do you interact with the UB Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology?A:Theyprovidedengineeringsupportwhenwetookourdevicefromprototypetocommercialization.They’reagoodresource.We’llbelookingtothemformorecollaborationinthefuture,especiallyiftheLungFluteprovestobeefficaciousforasthmacontrol.Thatwillbeabigdeal.

To read more about UB research on the Lung Flute, go to www.buffalo.edu/news and search “Sethi.”

—Judson Mead

“The clinical trials Dr. Sethi conducted on the Lung Flute were critical to our obtaining FDA clearance and to our being able to commercialize the device.”—Frank Codella

MEDICAL DEVICE COMPANY LEVERAGES UB EXPERTISE

Codella

U B M E D I C I N E3 6 W I N T E R 2 0 1 5

“ As a department chair, I see firsthand what the medical school brings to Buffalo and Western New York. I want to do my part to reinvigorate health care and the community I live in and love.”

James D. Reynolds, MD ’78, is chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and director of the Ross Eye Institute, UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Building a completely new medical school is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Seize this chanceto revolutionize medical education, health care and research in Western New York.

Become a partner at this pivotal moment in UB’s history. There are many ways to support your new medical school today or in the future. Opportunities include:

Medical School Building FundMedical School Building Fund � Circle of LeadersCircle of Leaders � Circle of VisionariesCircle of Visionaries

Please contact Kim Venti for more information. 716-829-2773 | medicine@devmail.buffalo.edu | www.giving.buffalo.edu/ubmedicine

THE NEW UB SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES ON THE BUFFALO NIAGARA MEDICAL CAMPUS

Count me in.

21st-century education, treatment and discovery

UB Medicine University at Buffalo901 Kimball TowerBuffalo, NY 14214-8028

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

I’m thankful.

Sam Racette is the student

you like to find in medical school.

He’s already explored his capacity

for compassion. He spent a year

with a Franciscan service program,

working with people on the margins of

society in Delaware. Now a first-year

medical student, he’s vice president for

community affairs for the Lighthouse

Clinic, a student-run voluntary health

provider for Buffalo’s underserved

population. The clinic was one reason

Sam chose to study medicine at UB;

another was the offer of a scholarship.

The expense of medical school

is daunting; Sam says having the

scholarship makes facing that reality

less intimidating.

The best public universities have the strongest private support.

www.giving.buffalo.edu or toll free at 855-GIVE-2-UB