January 2002, Vol. 20 No. 1

Table of Contents

Meet with Tech Transfer

IRB 101 on the Road

Internal Award Opportunities

Funding Opportunities

National Cancer Institute Conference

Seminars

Meet with Tech Transfer

http://www.techtransfer.umich.edu/med/btdf.html

Technology Transfer and Corporate Research (TTCR) will hold office hours in the Medical School Dean’s Office, 4119 Med Sci I. The office will be staffed by Licensing Specialists on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. beginning in January 2002. They can help you with invention disclosures and discuss review, assessment, licensing, start-ups and other general issues and procedures related to technology transfer.

They welcome drop-in visitors, but if you would like to set up an appointment, please call 763-6363 during normal business hours or message Sandra Moing at cmoing@umich.edu.

Reserve your spot for IRB 101 on the Road

The Medical School is providing clinical researchers and staff with a special opportunity to enhance their understanding of human subject research compliance. Don’t miss this opportunity!
The Center for Clinical Investigation and Therapeutics (CCIT) will host PRIM&R’s (Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research) “IRB 101 on the Road.” This will be offered February 12-13 (Tuesday and Wednesday) 2002 in the Sheldon Auditorium at the Towsley Center. The program is designed to provide clinical researchers, clinical support staff, IRB members, administrators, and staff with a basic knowledge of the regulations involved in the conduct of research requiring the protection of human subjects and the regulations governing IRB oversight. Day one (2/12/02) will have a repeating half-day session (two sessions to choose from, AM or PM) aimed at Principal investigators, co-investigators and clinical research support staff involved in clinical trials. Day two (2/13/02) will be a whole day intensive for IRB members and other IRB and regulatory staff. Administrators involved in the preparation of grants or contracts concerning this type of research are also encouraged to attend one of three sessions offered. The program is limited to 110 participants per session. You must formally register, however there will be no registration fee. For detailed information, contact Vickie Roosevelt, CCIT, at 615-6188 or vrooseve@med.umich.edu.

Internal Award Opportunities

Geriatric Center and Institute of Gerontology Pilot Grant Application 2002
Deadline 4:00 p.m. February 8, 2002

The U-M Geriatrics Center and the Institute of Gerontology announce the availability of funds to support pilot/feasibility research in Geriatrics and the Biology of Aging. Funding for pilot project grants is provided by the National Institute on Aging (via the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center), the Nathan Shock Center of Excellence in Aging Research, and by a grant from the John A. Hartford Foundation. This year’s grant competition is organized by the Shock Center’s Research Development Core, directed by Bruce Carlson, M.D., Ph.D.

Proposals may involve biomedical science, clinical physiology and pathophysiology, health services research, behavioral and social science research, or investigations into the basic biology of aging. The Pepper Center has a particular interest in studies that propose to develop interventions, or intervention-related methods, that show promise for improving the health and independence of elderly people. The Nathan Shock Center is particularly interested in proposals that address fundamental questions in the genetics and cell and molecular biology of aging as well as mechanisms of aging in specific organ systems. For copies of the application, please contact Jane Harlow, (734) 764-3493 or jharlow@umich.edu.

2002 Research Partnership Program for the Support of Scholarship, Research and Graduate Education
Deadline March 1, 2002

http://www.research.umich.edu/research/funding/um_sources/RPP2002.html

The Office of the Vice President for Research and the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies are pleased to announce the 2002 Research Partnership Program, which includes the following funding opportunities available to
faculty and graduate students:

  • The Spring/Summer Research Grants Program will award a minimum of 30 grants to faculty to enable them to hire doctoral students to assist with their research and scholarly projects while providing both financial support and tasks of intellectual benefit to participating doctoral students.
  • The Distinguished Faculty and Graduate Student Seminars Program will provide a maximum of 10 awards to groups of faculty, students, or graduate programs proposing innovative seminars and colloquia to foster collaboration and stimulate new research.

The application deadline for both awards is Friday, March 1, 2002. The guidelines and application forms may be obtained on the website listed above.

UROP Program
Deadline January 2, 2001

http://www.umich.edu/~urop

The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, is pleased to announce the fourth year of competition for Faculty Mini-Grants to Engage Undergraduates in Research and Creative Projects. These grants are given to faculty to involve undergraduate students in a research project or creative activity or to add a research component to an existing or new course. These awards of $5000-$10,000 can be used to:

  1. foster undergraduate research, scholarship or creative work by developing a research component for a new or existing course, especially in First Year Seminars.
  2. create opportunities for faculty and students from different disciplines to collaborate on a research project or develop a new interdisciplinary course, which integrates research activities into the curriculum.
  3. pilot collaborative community based research projects with community organizations.
  4. enable faculty along with students to conduct research, scholarship, and creative activity using primary source materials on and off campus.

All full-time faculty and research scientists in University of Michigan Schools and Colleges including Lecturer IIIs are eligible to apply. Criteria for the award will include number of undergraduates who will benefit from the proposed project, the quality and record of the applicant for engaging undergraduate students in research or creative activities either through projects or course-based activities; and the quality of the project described.

See the UROP web site for further details on eligibility, criteria, and application procedures. Contact: Sandra Gregerman, Director of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, 998-9381 or sgreger@umich.edu.

Funding Opportunities

Medicine as a Profession Soros Advocy Fellowship
Deadline January 15, 2002

http://www.soros.org/medicine/

The Program on Medicine as a Profession (MAP) of the Open Society Institute announces the Soros Advocacy Fellowship for Physicians. The Fellowship is designed to enable physicians to develop or strengthen advocacy skills through collaboration with U.S. based advocacy organizati0ns during a 12-24 month fellowship period. The Fellowship will also enable medical professionals to develop and implement new approaches that further the missions of the advocacy organizations. Awards range from $40,000 to $80,000 in salary support, plus fringe, depending on the fellow’ time commitment, prior experience and base salary. The program will also provide up to $2,000 in funds for the fellow’s travel to MAP sponsored meetings. Sponsoring advocacy organizations will be requested to cover overhead costs necessary to house the Fellow. They may request up to $5, 000 from MAP to cover the organization’s added costs associated with implementing the Fellow’s project.

Go to the MAP website for complete details, application procedures, eligibility criteria and the participating advocacy group list.

Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation Innovative Grants for Translational Research
Internal Deadline January 23, 2002

The Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation is accepting applications for innovative grants for translational research in ovarian, uterine, breast and cervical cancer. Translational research is broadly defined as research that will provide a scientific link between laboratory research and the clinic. Ultimately such research would lead to improvements in diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, or treatment of cancer. The award will be up to $100,000 (combined direct and indirect costs) for a two-year period. The U-M Medical School may submit one application. Deadline for submission of an application to the Foundation is February 20, 2002. For consideration as the institutional nominee, submit the following by January 23, 2002: a research proposal (no longer than five pages) and a two-page biosketch.

Submit all internal applications to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, 4107 Med Sci I, Box 0624 by January 23, 2002. Contact Denise Swayze, 763-4086 or dswayze@umich.edu to receive a faxed copy of the grant application announcement and form.

Pfizer Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants in Infectious Diseases
Internal Deadline January 25, 2002

http://www.physicianscientist.com/

The U-M Medical School has been invited to submit one application for this grant competition. Grants of $65,000 per year for 3 years are provided to the sponsoring medical school on behalf of the Fellow. The purpose of this initiative is to provide support to promising physicians who wish to conduct original research in an academic environment. Applicants must demonstrate a strong career interest in academic research in infectious diseases. Deadline for submission of an application to Pfizer is February 22, 2002. For consideration as the institutional nominee, submit the following by January 25, 2002: a 1-2 page research summary, a CV, and a nominating letter from the department chair.

Submit all internal applications to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, 4107 Med Sci I, Box 0624 by January 25, 2002. Contact: Denise Swayze, 763-4086 or dswayze@umich.edu. Complete details on this initiative can be found on Pfizer's website.

Whitaker Foundation Special Opportunity Award Program
Internal Deadline February 15, 2002

http://www.whitaker.org/grants/specanc.html

Whitaker Foundation Special Opportunity Awards in Biomedical Engineering support the development of quality programs that substantially enhance the field of biomedical engineering. The emphasis is on education, rather than on solving specific research problems. Institutions may submit two preliminary applications. See the Foundation website for guidelines. Deadline for preliminary applications to the Foundation is March 15. Internal deadline is February 15, 2001.

For consideration as the institutional nominees, submit preliminary applications by February 15, 2002 to Biomedical Engineering, 3304 G. G. Brown, Box 2125. Contact: Kristin Romelhart at 764-9588.

Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation
Deadline January 19, 2002

http://www.sjogrens.org

The Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation is pleased to announce the availability of a one-year fellowship in the amount of $20,000 to a D.D.S., D.M.D., M.D., or Ph.D. seeking postdoctoral training in a US institution in any aspect of research related to Sjogren’s syndrome. The purpose of this program is to encourage postgraduate research in the area of Sjogren’s syndrome. See the Foundation website for completed details and application guidelines. Deadline for applications is January 19, 2002.

Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowships
Deadline January 18, 2002

http://www.rwjf.org

The Robert Wood Johnson (RWJ) Fellowship Program provides outstanding mid-career health professionals an opportunity to gain an understanding of the health policy process and to contribute to the formulation of new policies and programs. The program will help them develop in their careers as leaders in academic health centers and in health policy. Grants are $148,000 for three years. See the RWJ website for complete details, application and qualification information.

California Table Grape Commission
Deadline January 28, 2002

http://www.tablegrape.com

The California Table Grape Commission is pleased to begin the third year of its Annual Research Grant Program. The major goal of this program is to fund studies that examine the potential health benefits of grape consumption. Research projects should be designed to provide a foundation for subsequent, large-scale studies in humans. This does not exclude in vitro and animal studies that make a significant contribution to the current body of knowledge about grapes or grape constituents and health. The Commission grants awards of up to $25,000 in total costs for one year. See the Commission website for proposal guidelines and award criteria.

U.S. Pharmacopeia Fellowship Program
Deadline January 31, 2002

U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) is pleased to request proposals for the 2002-2003 USP Fellowship Program. Six awards of up to 20,000 each will be given for research in areas related to standards for drugs and their use. Contact Justin Lane at 301/816-8323 or fellows/interns@usp.org for application and guidelines.

Program in Clinical Effectiveness
Deadline February 1, 2002

The summer program in Clinical Effectiveness is co-sponsored by Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard School of Public Health. The intensive seven-week, 15 credit program concentrates on the skills required doing non-laboratory research, such as clinical epidemiological studies, health policy studies, and clinical trials. The program is open to postdoctoral fellows, junior faculty and some senior faculty seeking to redirect their research efforts. Students are limited to 15 credits for a single summer but can take additional courses in a second summer. For further information and application guidelines, contact Barbara Rosen at 617-732-5648 or brosen@partners.org.

Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program
Deadline February 15, 2002

http://www.rwjf.org

The Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program is designed to allow young physicians committed to clinical medicine to acquire new skills and training in the non-biological sciences important to medical care systems. The program offers two years of graduate-level study and research as part of a university based, post-residency training program. The program is open to US citizens and permanent residents training in any of the medical/surgical specialty fields, including psychiatry, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, and family medicine. In order to be eligible for the Program, physicians must:

  • be committed to a career consonant with the programs purposes and priorities
  • be highly regarded as physicians by those responsible for their clinical training
  • plan to complete the clinical requirements of their residency/fellowship training by the date of entry into the program (Scholars may not hold appointments as subspecialty fellows during their tenure in the program)

To request an application form, contact Joel D. Howell, M.D., Co-Director or Laurence F. McMahon, Jr., M.D., Co-Director, Clinical Scholars Program, U-M Medical School at 647-4844.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Award for Distinguished Achievement in Neuroscience Research
Deadline March 7, 2002

http://www.bms.com/foundation/awards.html

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Award for Distinguished Achievement in Neuroscience Research is an annual award of $50,000 given to a scientist who has made an outstanding contribution to progress in neuroscience research. Candidates for the award are to be nominated by individuals affiliated with medical schools, hospitals and neuroscience research centers. For further information and nomination forms, go to the Foundation website.

Pine Family Foundation, Inc.
Deadline March 15

The Pine Family Foundation supports research towards finding cures for incurable diseases. The current focus is on Alzheimer’s and AIDS. The Foundation provides Scholarships that range from $2,500 to $5,000 and Grants from $10,000 to $20,000. The deadline for submitting scholarship or grant proposals is March 15 of each year. Applications received after the deadline will remain on file by the Foundation to be considered for funding in the following year. Contact Denise Swayze at 763-4086 or dswayze@umich.edu for a faxed copy of the application form and program guidelines.

National Cancer Institute Conference

National Cancer Institute's Sixth International Conference on Malignancies in AIDS and Other Immunodeficiencies
Abstract Deadline February 11, 2002

http://cancer.gov/dctd/aids/conference

The National Cancer Institute is sponsoring the sixth conference on malignancies in AIDS and other immunodeficiencies. The objectives are to showcase progress and to stimulate research across diverse disciplines. The format will include invited lectures as well as oral and poster presentations of submitted abstracts. Topic will include: Overview of Immune-deficiency Malignancies; Tumor Virology-EBV, HPV, KSHV; Kaposi's Sarcoma; Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas; and Anogenital, Pediatric, and Other AIDS-associated Neoplasia.

For information concerning program content, contact: Dr. Ellen Feigal at ef30d@nih.gov. For information concerning abstracts, registration, travel, lodging, etc., contact: Jaime Quinn at 301-496-6711 or jquinn@mail.nih.gov.

Seminars

Graduate Program in Immunology Seminar
January 23, 2002, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., Room 5623 Med Sci II

The Graduate Program in Immunology and the Translational Tumor Immunology Training Grant will sponsor a seminar to be held on Wednesday, January 23, 2002. The speaker will be Richard Bucala, M.D., Ph.D., Picower Institute for Medical Research. The topic will be "Regulation of the Immune Response by the MIF/Glucocorticoid Dyad."

Life Sciences: An Industry in Transition
February 8, 2002, 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Michigan League

Featuring Keynote speakers: Erling Refsum, MBBS, FRCS, BD, Equity Analyst, Nomura International, and Alison Taunton-Rigby, Ph.D., Former President and CEO, Aquila Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.

This symposium, designed for small, emerging and establishing Life Science companies and their investors, will discuss research and development alliances, the successful management of collaborative partnerships, and present options relating to business strategy. In addition to the featured keynote speakers, the symposium will offer three panel discussions on topics including: lessons learned in biopartnering, spawning Michigan biotech start-ups, and the partnering perspective of start-ups. The participation of leading international experts gives attendees a rare opportunity to network among top researchers, analysts, and business executives. For further information and free required registration, visit www.zli.bus.umich.edu/news_events/

Michigan Gastrointestinal Peptide Research Center Retreat
January 12, 2002, 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Towsley Center

The Michigan Gastrointestinal Peptide Research Center Retreat will hold its annual retreat on Saturday, January 12, 2002 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Towsley Center at 1515 E. Medical Center Drive. Dr. Eugene B. Chang, M.D. Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago will speak on "Intestinal Mucosal Protection: Role of Inducible Heat Shock Proteins." Research Posters are encouraged. Please contact Pam Glazer at 647-2942 for more information, to register, and reserve a poster for the event.

Hearing and Chemical Senses Seminar
January 9, 2002, 3:45 p.m., Maxwell Conference Room, HR 4054 KHRI

The Hearing and Chemical Senses Seminar Series presents Su-Hua Sha, M.D., Research Investigator, Kresge Hearing Research Institute as its speaker on Wednesday, January 9, 2002 at 3:45 p.m. in the Maxwell Conference Room, HR 4054, Kresge Hearing Research Institute. The topic will be "Prevention of Aminoglycoside-Induced Ototoxicity: from the Laboratory to the Clinic." For further information please contact Jochen Schact at 763-3572.

Hearing and Chemical Senses Seminar – January 16, 2002
January 16, 2002, 3:45 p.m., Maxwell Conference Room, HR 4054 KHRI

The Hearing and Chemical Senses Seminar Series presents Claus-Peter Richter, Ph.D., Northwestern University, as its speaker on Wednesday, January 16, 2002 at 3:45 p.m. in the Maxwell Conference Room, HR 4054, Kresge Hearing Research Institute. The topic will be "Micromechanics in the Mammalian Cochlea." For further information please contact Jochen Schact at 763-3572.

Hearing and Chemical Senses Seminar – February 6, 2002
February 6, 2002, 3:45 p.m., Maxwell Conference Room, HR 4054 KHRI

The Hearing and Chemical Senses Seminar Series presents Didier Dulon, University of Bordeaux as its speaker on Wednesday, February 6, 2002 at 3:45 p.m. in the Maxwell Conference Room, HR 4054, Kresge Hearing Research Institute. The topic will be "The Role of Ca-activated K channels (BK and SK) in Mammalian Cochlear Hair Cells." For further information please contact Jochen Schact at 763-3572.

Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Seminar Series – January 14, 2002
January 14, 2002, 1:00 p.m., 2901 LRC (second floor of the Taubman Library)

The Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Seminar Series presents Paul Robbins, Ph.D., Professor of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Director of Basic Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, Director, Vector Core Research Facility, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, as its speaker on Monday, January 14, 2002 at 1:00 p.m., Room 2901 LRC. The topic will be "Gene and Protein-Based Therapies for the Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases: Preclinical and Clinical Studies."

Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Seminar Series – January 21, 2002
January 21, 2002, 1:00 p.m., 2901 LRC (second floor of the Taubman Library)

The Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Seminar Series presents Dr. James Shayman, Associate Chair and Professor of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan as its speaker on Monday, January 21, 2002 at 1:00 p.m., Room 2901 LRC. The topic will be "The Development of Small Molecule Inhibitors for the Treatment of Lysosomal Storage."

Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Seminar Series – January 28, 2002
January 28, 2002, 1:00 p.m., 2901 LRC (second floor of the Taubman Library)

The Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Seminar Series presents Francis Miller M.D., Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Iowa as its speaker on Monday, January 28, 2002 at 1:00 p.m., Room 2901 LRC. The topic will be "Gene Transfer to Blood Vessels as a Tool for the Vascular Biologist."

Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Seminar Series – February 4, 2002
February 4, 2002, 1:00 p.m., 2901 LRC (second floor of the Taubman Library)

The Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Seminar Series presents Dr. Duncan J. Stewart, Dexter Hung-Cho Man Chair and Director, Division of Cardiology, University of Toronto, Head, Division of Cardiology, St. Michael’s Hospital as its speaker on Monday, February 4, 2002 at 1:00 p.m., Room 2901 LRC. The topic will be "Gene Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease: What is the Future?"

The Center for Organogenesis 2001-2002 Seminar Series
January 11, 2002, 3:30 p.m., Room 5915 Buhl Building

The Center for Organogenesis 2001-2002 Seminar Series presents Marie Csete, M.S., Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, Associate Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School as its speaker on Friday, January 11, 2002 at 3:30 p.m., Room 5915 Buhl Building. The Topic will be "Oxygen, Oxidative Stress and Stem Cell Biology."

Functional MRI Neuroimaging Speaker Series
January 22, 2002, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m., East Hall, 4448 Colloquium Room

The Functional MRI Neuroimaging Speaker Series presents Dr. Deanna Barch, Associate Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, Washington University as its speaker on January 22, 2002 from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m., East Hall, 4448 Colloquium Room. The topic will be "Cognitive Controls Deficits in Schizophrenia: Behavioral and Neuroimaging Investigations." Light refreshments will be served.