CUIMC Update - May 26, 2022

CUIMC Update is a weekly e-newsletter featuring medical center news and the accomplishments of our faculty, staff, and trainees. Please send your news, honors, and awards to cuimc_update@cumc.columbia.edu. Grants are provided by the Sponsored Projects Administration office.

NEWS

Language, Stigma, and Other Barriers to Mental Health Care for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. VP&S psychiatrist Warren Ng, MD, addresses stigma that members of the AAPI community face in seeking mental health care, the obstacles they encounter, and ways to overcome barriers. Read more

CUIMC Employee Makes Big Difference at Commencement with Small Act of Kindness
While volunteering at a CUIMC graduation ceremony, Patty Conde, a human resources staff member, provided special assistance to a visiting family. Read more

Columbia, NYP Launch Lung Cancer Screening Program 
The program brings together physicians and nurses from multiple disciplines to provide care for patients who are at high risk for lung cancer and other complications from smoking. Read more

Why Transient Ischemic Attacks Should be Taken Seriously
In recognition of Stroke Awareness Month, VP&S neurologist Joshua Willey, MD, shares important information about transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), also known as mini strokes. Read more. 

How Parents Can Manage the Baby Formula Shortage
Columbia pediatrician Lauren Levine, MD, shares her insights on resources to try, ways to plan, and what never to do when it comes to baby formula. Read more

Missing Link Between Alzheimer’s and Vascular Disease Found?
Changes in the activity of a gene called FMNL2 may explain why people with hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, or obesity have a greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to new research led by VP&S neurologist Richard Mayeux, MD. Read more.

Major Uptick Reported in Cannabis Vaping for All Adolescents
A new study led by Mailman epidemiologist Katherine Keyes, PhD, shows that cannabis vaping is increasing as the most popular method of cannabis delivery among all adolescents in the United States. Read more.

GRANTS

VAGELOS COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS

Jonathan Dworkin, PhD, Microbiology & Immunology, will receive $445,500 over two years from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for “Role of the alarmone (p)ppGpp in phenotypic antibiotic tolerance.”

Stephen Goff, PhD, Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, will receive $435,847 over three years from the Simons Foundation for “Simons Society of Fellows - Junior Fellow.”

Chin Hur, MD, and Fay Kastrinos, MD, Medicine, will receive $1,875,577 over five years from the National Cancer Institute for “Optimal Colorectal Cancer Surveillance Strategy for Lynch Syndrome by Genotype.” 

Chin Hur, MD, and Nicholas Tatonetti, PhD, Medicine, will receive $404,079 over two years from the National Cancer Institute for “Domain-Knowledge Informed Deep Learning for Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer.”

Robert Schwabe, MD, PhD, Medicine, will receive $2,579,778 over five years from the National Cancer Institute for “Tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressive roles of Hepatic Stellate Cell Subpopulations in NASH-HCC” and $2,114,580 over four years from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases for “Protective and fibrosis-independent functions of hepatic stellate cells.”

AWARDS AND HONORS

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IRVING MEDICAL CENTER 

Columbia University President Lee Bollinger awarded the Nicholas Murray Butler Gold Medal to 21 members of the President’s Advisory Task Force on COVID-19, including various members of Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Read more

VAGELOS COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS

Anna Marissa Lockman, Kerri Natkiel, and Zoe Pelly are recipients of the Department of Neurology's Professionalism, Respect, Initiative, Dedication and Excellence (PRIDE) awards. 

Angela Mills, MD, Emergency Medicine, was installed as 2022-2023 president of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.  

EVENTS                   

Understanding Dementia: What to Know and How CaringKind Can Help, June 1, noon, register here

Call for Applications: Columbia Global Mental Health Programs 2022-2023 Council Grants Program, through June 1, read more

COVID-19: Causes to Consequences Mini-Symposium, June 3, 1 p.m., Jerome L. Greene Science Center, 3227 Broadway, 9th Floor, register here

Financial Empowerment Workshop Series: Make your Money Work for You—Grow Your Wealth (Investing 101), June 7, noon, register here

For more events, visit the CUIMC Events listing.