Active Award Progress Summaries - RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM The following includes summaries of progress for AHW Research and Education ...
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R ESEARCH AND E DUCATION P ROGRAM
Active Award
Progress Summaries
The following includes summaries of progress for AHW Research
and Education Program awards active during the period ending
June 30, 2015
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment
ADVANCING COMMUNITY-ACADEMIC
PARTNERSHIPS FOR TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH:
SCIENTIFIC CITIZENS AND CITIZEN SCIENTISTS
AWARD AMOUNT: $1,659,180 (2011-2016)
Goal Community Engaged Research
To support community engagement (CEnR) practice, skill building, and Relevance
(CE) and training in clinical and networking to new academic This project seeks to advance
translational research with a focus on partners and community-based MCW’s mission to improve the
communication, dissemination, and organizations. All sessions of this five- health of the communities that
public awareness of the benefits of day event were in person, open to the MCW serves by increasing
research. the public, and included CME the public’s interest in science
credits. while also developing faculty
capability to partner effectively
Background with communities.
CEKF published the work related to a
The fourth mission of the Medical retrospective chart review of the past
College of Wisconsin is to improve the seven years of community-academic Significance to
health of the communities that the partnership grants. The team
institution serves. This project seeks to
Science and Health
submitted an NIH X02 (pre-
advance that mission by increasing application) to expand and enhance Fostering a deeper
the public’s interest in science while appreciation of science in the
research in collaboration with
also developing faculty capability to community may inspire youth
Marquette University, University of
partner effectively with communities. to pursue careers in science
Florida, University of Rochester, Mayo and foster participation in
Clinic, University of Minnesota and community-engaged
Northwestern.
Award Summary research projects. Developing
faculty partnership skills may
During the reporting period, the In addition, the Community also increase interest in
Community Engagement Key Engagement Learning Repository community engagement.
Function (CEKF) remained active in Phase 1 development has been
ongoing efforts within the CTSI and completed, and communities and
across the national network of CTSAs. researchers conducting CEnR will
The CEKF team has applied for a begin to benefit from more
variety of funding opportunities to accessible resources and products
enable expansion of expertise, for dissemination for the art and
research and partnerships. In science of CEnR.
addition, the CEKF team has actively
presented and published locally, Principles of CE and CEnR (3 credit
nationally and internationally. The elective, online) was offered for the
project team also continued to second year. Lecturers included
expand community-academic faculty at UW-Milwaukee, MCW and
dialogue through the following CTSI leadership and experts from
programs: community-based organizations. The
last session was in person, open to
Science Cafés: Held 10 Science Cafés the public, and included CME
focused on "Life is Complicated: Let’s credits.
Deal with it!" and "Science and a
Healthier You". The team was granted an extension
for 2015-2016 to continue to work on
Students Modeling a Research Topic evaluation and dissemination via lay
Syed Ahmed, MD, MPH, DrPH, FAAFP
(SMART) teams: Implemented by publications and poster
MSOE, these included 24 local teams presentations, peer-reviewed journal Sr. Associate Dean for Community
and 250 students who learned about articles and presentations. Engagement, Director of the CTSI
protein structure. Community Engagement Program,
Professor of Family Medicine
The Inaugural Community
This award was funded by the Advancing a
Engagement Week: The events were Healthier Wisconsin Endowment at
significant for dissemination of the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment | Annual Project Summary
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (CE) CORE PLANNING
INITIATIVE
AWARD AMOUNT: $121,000 (2014-2015)
Goal The CE Core will provide the
To lead coordination of community resources and support needed by Relevance
engagement (CE) across MCW's both community and academic The National Institutes of Health
diverse CE programs and advance partners to improve and increase recognize community
the art and science of CE in order to community engaged projects and engagement as essential to
improve the health of Wisconsin research. understanding and addressing
health disparities. Many studies
communities.
also show that community
Award Summary engagement improves the
Background In developing a centralized CE core validity of translational research
projects. The MCW CE Core will
Across multiple disciplines, that is sustainable beyond the
aid MCW researchers and
collaborations between academic funding period, community
community partners in bettering
and community partners have been representatives and MCW the health of Wisconsin residents.
shown to improve the translation of stakeholders provided input and
new research and discoveries, support to identify and prioritize the
benefiting communities and resources needed to address gaps in Significance to
improving population health. CE is CE services and further MCW's CE Science and Health
recognized by the NIH, researchers mission to more effectively impact The CE Core will provide the
and community groups as critical to community health. resources and support
understanding and addressing racial, needed by both community
ethnic, socioeconomic and The effort was also aided by two and academic partners in
environmental health disparities. external consultants with experience order to improve and
Numerous studies have confirmed in developing CE cores, and who increase community engaged
that authentic community provided important insights regarding projects and research. This
the unique challenges faced by will improve competitiveness
engagement across sectors is not only
MCW when developing CE services. for CE grants and increase
central to countering mistrust of
funded CE projects in
research and researchers due to Wisconsin communities, which
The outcome of this project was a
histories of medical experimentation will ultimately improve the
consensus that resulted in a funding
and research abuse, but also to health of Wisconsin residents
proposal, the MCW Community
improving the validity, efficacy, and and their communities.
Engagement Core Implementation
translation of research findings.
Initiative, that will create a
centralized community engagement
MCW is now undergoing resource, available to community
unprecedented growth and change. partners and all MCW centers,
More than ever before, community institutes, programs and
engagement is emerging as key to departments.
advancing quality research and
education initiatives.
In the context of this rapid growth in
research and education, the CE Core
Planning Initiative will ensure
intentional and thoughtful alignment
and coordination of community
engagement across several Syed Ahmed, SYED AHMED, MD, MPH,
prominent and new MCW research DrPH, FAAFP
and education initiatives. Sr. Associate Dean for Community
Engagement, Director of the CTSI
Community Engagement Program,
Professor of Family Medicine
This award was funded by the Advancing a
Healthier Wisconsin Endowment at
the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment | Annual Project Summary
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment
THE CARDIOVASCULAR ROADMAP: BRIDGING OUR
FOUNDATIONS TO "SIGNATURE PROGRAMS"
AWARD AMOUNT: $4,000,000 (2014-2019)
Goal Squires, MD, in Cardio-Oncology and
To improve cardiovascular health in Nicole Lohr, MD, PhD, in Vascular
southeastern Wisconsin and beyond biology. Infrastructure was increased Relevance
through innovative, cutting-edge with creation of support positions Cardiovascular Disease is a
research and cost-efficient health including an Academic Program & major concern for individuals in
care by building the foundation for Research Officer, a Research Support the US and in Wisconsin. The
innovation, collaboration, and the Specialist, and a Biostatistician, all of associated hospitalizations and
translation of research. whom work with faculty and staff to economic burden result in
establish translational research significant costs. Part of this is
related to inadequate treatments
Background programs, increase the number of
available due to delay in
competitive grants, and provide
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the translating benchtop research
other research support. A pilot
leading cause of death and disability findings into practice.
funding program was initiated, and
of men and women in the US and in the CVC awarded two $50,000 and
Wisconsin. This work will improve the two $25,000 grants designed to Significance to
health of Wisconsin residents by enable increased extramural funding Science and Health
enhancing the capacity of multi- from the NIH and non-profit This work will enhance the
disciplinary translational research organizations. capacity of multi-disciplinary
teams to adopt and employ novel
translational research teams
research findings into clinical Notable progress on Aim 2 included to adopt and employ novel
practice. Investments made in novel efforts to increase opportunities for research findings into clinical
research performed in the faculty and fellow development. In practice. Investments made
Cardiovascular Center will provide order to further faculty development in novel research performed
more effective tools and therapies to and increase training opportunities, a in the Cardiovascular Center
enhance clinical decision making “breakfast and learn” forum was will provide more effective
and improve patient productivity and initiated for clinical faculty and tools and therapies to
outcomes. enhance clinical decision
fellows, as well as a “lunch and learn”
making and improve patient
series aimed at basic scientists at all
productivity and outcomes.
levels. A Research Retreat in April
Award Summary 2015 included a keynote
Significant progress has been made in presentation from Richard Kitsis, MD,
the first year of this award. For Aim 1, from Albert Einstein College of
the first year has been marked by Medicine, a leader in the field of
solidifying and increasing Cardiovascular Medicine.
collaborations between basic and
clinical scientists across departments
and centers at MCW, as well as inter-
institutionally. Implementation of the
Signature Programs began with the
solidification of several Affinity Groups
(like-minded researchers) and
introduction of new Affinity Groups.
Internal and external scientific
advisory boards were founded with
the purpose of guiding and giving
input on several of the initiatives
Ivor J. Benjamin, MD
introduced in the past year as well as
Director of the Cardiovascular
future endeavors.
Center, Professor of Medicine/
Two physician investigators were Cardiology
recruited in two of the three top This award was funded by the Advancing a
priority program areas: Shayne Healthier Wisconsin Endowment at
the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment | Annual Project Summary
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment
ANESTHETIC-INDUCED NEUROAPOPTOSIS: IS
ANESTHESIA BAD FOR THE NEWBORN BRAIN?
AWARD AMOUNT: $600,000 (2012-2015)
Goal expression of activated dynamin- Relevance
related protein 1 (Drp1) and cyclin-
To understand how anesthesia affects A number of studies have
dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), key
developing human nerve cells to suggested that exposure to
proteins responsible for mitochondrial
ensure safe general anesthesia for anesthesia before the age of
division. Pretreatment of the cells with three may increase a child’s risk
newborns.
a mitochondrial division blocker for developing learning
rescued the propofol-induced disabilities. This project seeks to
Background toxicity. Inhibiting CDK1 reversed the reduce any risks to young
Studies in developing animals have increased mitochondria division, cell children from exposure to
shown that anesthetic agents death, and the increased expression anesthesia. The work will provide
of Drp1. data to guide clinicians in
administered early in life can lead to
making the most informed
neuronal cell death and learning
These data demonstrate for the first decisions possible when
disabilities. A number of studies have anesthetics are used in pediatric
time that propofol-induced
suggested that exposure to patients.
neurotoxicity occurs through a
anesthesia before the age of three
mitochondrial division-mediated
may increase a child’s risk for
developing learning disabilities.
pathway. Significance to
Science and Health
The proposed research has the
potential to be clinically relevant, as Through a better
At Children's Hospital of Wisconsin,
understanding of how
10,000 children are anesthetized identifying the mechanisms involved
anesthesia interacts with the
annually. It is unclear if anesthesia- in anesthetic neurotoxicity will allow
developing brain, results from
induced cognitive impairment occurs for drug development that can this study will include
later in life. prevent this toxicity. methods for reducing risk,
perhaps even identifying
anesthetics that are not toxic
The proposed research seeks to for use with newborn infants.
identify the mechanisms involved in
anesthetic neurotoxicity, which will
allow for the design of molecules that
can prevent this toxicity.
Award Summary
Development of human embryonic
stem cell (hESC)-derived neurons has
provided a valuable tool for
understanding the effects of
anesthetics on developing human
neurons.
Unbalanced fusion or division of
mitochondria (the cells "powerplant")
leads to various pathological
Zeljko Bosnjak, PhD
conditions including
Professor and Vice Chairman
neurodegeneration.
for Research, Anesthesiology
The aim of this study was to dissect
the role of mitochondrial dynamics in
anesthetic (propofol)-induced
neurotoxicity. Exposure to propofol for This award was funded by the Advancing a
six hours increased neuron death and Healthier Wisconsin Endowment at
the Medical College of Wisconsin.
increased mitochondrial fission; this
was accompanied by increased
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment | Annual Project Summary
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment
FUNCTIONAL PAIN AND AUTONOMIC DISORDERS
(FPAD) PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
AWARD AMOUNT: $1,943,400 (2013-2018)
Goal Two grants were funded, one from
To develop a comprehensive center the Developmental Disabilities
for clinical excellence, research, Council (DDC) and another from the Relevance
teaching, and community outreach Soref Foundation.
Functional pain and autonomic
for the treatment of functional pain
In addition, collaboration continues disorders (FPADs), such as
and autonomic disorders (FPADs).
fibromyalgia and migraines,
in the investigation of adult pelvic
affect around 500,000 individuals
pain disorders.
Background in Wisconsin. Despite a large
patient population,
Functional pain is ongoing pain for The aim to increase computational
understanding of these disorders
which there is no known medical infrastructure, was advanced by has progressed slowly.
explanation. Autonomic disorders Charles Welzig, MD, who completed
affect the autonomic nervous system, the rebuild of the core facility and
which controls our involuntary developed machine learning models
functions such as heart rate and in several areas. His lab continues to Significance to
breathing (things we don't have to develop infrastructure and new Science and Health
think about), and are thus wide- programs for use in diagnostics in
By better defining and
ranging. These common disorders other areas such as cardiology. understanding FPADs, the
(FPAD) cause patients to experience Equipment was purchased to researchers can create an
discomfort and pain in various regions develop new methods to assess brain educational infrastructure for
of the body. These and other FPADs function in combination with MRI and teaching physicians and offer
affect around 500,000 individuals in MEG imaging, and to measure improved treatment options
Wisconsin. MCW’s autonomic pathways that lead to central and for patients in and outside of
disorders clinic is filled with Wisconsin peripheral pain. Wisconsin.
residents who have little access to
care. The aim to increase genetics
infrastructure continues to advance
This project will help better define with increased collaboration of local
these disorders, create an researchers into the role of
educational infrastructure for mitochondria (the cells powerhouse)
teaching physicians, and improve in FPAD. Work on the epidemiology
treatment options for patients. of FPAD also moved forward and
resulted in publications, and forms
Award Summary the basis of future grant proposals.
During the reporting period, the aim An additional aim to educate
to increase clinical infrastructure was Wisconsin primary care physicians in
furthered with the recruitment of FPAD continued with the Primary
patients into the autonomic disorders Practice Physician Program for
registry, which now exceeds 500 Chronic Pain (4PCP) model, for which
subjects. the research team hired an
educational coordinator.
Also, projects focusing on the clinical
Educational videos for both patients
investigation of events underlying
and physicians are being produced,
pediatric FPADs are advancing in
and group visits to MCW are
enrollment and completion. These
planned. Thomas Chelimsky, MD
include a neural networks protocol;
Professor of Neurology/
endocannabinoids protocol
(collaboration with Dr. Cecilia Hillard); Autonomic Disorders
near-infrared spectroscopy; and the
compensatory reserve index. This award was funded by the Advancing a
Healthier Wisconsin Endowment at
the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment | Annual Project Summary
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment
PERSONALIZED MEDICINE PROGRAM: PHASE 1
AWARD AMOUNT: $2,539,227 (2010-2016)
Goal
To establish new DNA sequencing This test has been optimized and is
and data analysis resources for currently being used clinically.
research and healthcare delivery
related to personalized medicine. In the past year, the project team’s
sequencing platforms and clinically Relevance
validated CarpeNovo software Researchers at MCW were
Background platform was used for nearly 550 amongst the first in the world to
This investment helps to establish the individual tests. employ DNA sequencing for
infrastructure necessary to deliver personalized medicine, and
personalized medicine – the use of The molecular diagnoses resulting continue to sequence genomes
from these tests benefited Wisconsin for clinical purposes. Several
gene sequencing to identify gene
residents and Wisconsin physicians recent successes in diagnosing
variants that underlie disease and
and treating children with elusive
that can be used to direct who used these results to improve the
illnesses have demonstrated the
treatments. treatment plans for their patients.
exciting potential of this
approach.
Advances in the technologies
available to rapidly and accurately Significance to
identify genomic variants have been Science and Health
made in the past year.
Personalized medicine can
be used to improve medical
diagnosis of disease, and can
Despite the many advances, the
improve the selection of
process continues to need
therapies with the greatest
refinements as more information is likelihood of success in
analyzed and the understanding of treating symptoms or
the limitations of the sequencing preventing disease in at-risk
technologies are defined. individuals.
Award Summary
In the past year, the project team
acquired two HiSeq 2500 DNA
sequencers, which has had an
immediate impact on the timeline
from sample processing to analysis.
These two sequencers reduced the
total sequencing time from
approximately 11 days on the
previous instrument (HiSeq 2000) to
approximately six days on a HiSeq
2500 in high throughput mode.
The instruments also provided the
Allen W. Cowley, Jr., PhD
team with the capacity to run a rapid
exome test (sequencing of just protein Interim Director of the Human and
-encoding parts of the human Molecular Genetics Center,
genome), which takes approximately Chairman and Professor of Physiology
27 hours on the new HiSeq 2500
sequencers.
This award was funded by the Advancing a
Healthier Wisconsin Endowment at
the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment | Annual Project SummaryAdvancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment
PROGRAM IN GENOMICS AND ETHICS
AWARD AMOUNT: $1,642,312 (2011-2016)
Goal
To establish a new research and provide expert commentary and
education program in genomics and recommendations about the ethical,
ethics to bridge the gap between the legal and social issues related to the
application of genomic advances in use of genetic and genomic
medicine and the ethical implications technologies. Relevance
that emerge from this new area of Technology for sequencing
The fourth year also brought renewed human genomes is quickly
exploration in medicine.
concentration on exploring new advancing. While this has
ways to provide education and allowed for medical successes, it
Background outreach about genomics and ethics is important to support rigorous
Advances in genomics and to key stakeholders and new ethical examination that keeps
opportunities for research. pace with technology as it
personalized medicine – tailoring
evolves.
treatments based on human gene
signatures – have led the field of The work being done by PGE is
medicine into an exciting frontier. This benefitting Wisconsin residents by Significance to
exploring questions related to the
new era also poses many ethical Science and Health
questions for clinicians, researchers, ethical, legal and social implications
raised by genetic and genomic Advances in genomics and
patients and patients’ families as the personalized medicine have
technology for interpreting individual sequencing technologies.
led the field of medicine to
genomes is quickly advancing. an exciting frontier. This new
Data collected and analyzed
While the technology has allowed for era also creates many ethical
through the Program's research
questions for clinicians,
medical successes only once efforts are continuing to inform the researchers, patients and
dreamed of, it is important to support refinement of the informed consent patients’ families regarding
rigorous ethical examination that process used by patients/parents the use of such technologies.
keeps pace with the technology as it considering genome sequencing,
evolves. and a new collaborative project with
the Wisconsin Medical Society that
will provide valuable information
Award Summary about the attitudes and needs of the
During this reporting period, the state's medical professionals
Program in Genomics and Ethics regarding genomics.
(PGE) continued its work toward
discovering new knowledge through
conducting innovative research on
ethical issues raised by emerging
genomic technologies and
dissemination of that new knowledge.
Outcomes of this research could lead
to recommendations for best
practices and guidelines for ethical
decision-making among health care
providers, researchers and the public.
The PGE's fourth year of funding led to Arthur R. Derse, MD, JD
the submission of five grant Director of the Center for Bioethics
applications, resulting in two and Medical Humanities, Professor of
successful proposals that leverage the Bioethics and Medical Humanities
AHW Endowment’s investment.
The study team members continued This award was funded by the Advancing a
to publish analysis of data from their Healthier Wisconsin Endowment at
innovative research endeavors and the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment | Annual Project SummaryAdvancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment
PROGRAM FOR THE STUDY OF NEURONAL
SYNAPTIC PLASTICITY IN HEALTH AND ILLNESS
AWARD AMOUNT: $3,042,309 (2012-2016)
Goal Award Summary
To forward our understanding of A primary goal of the award is to
nervous system function in health and increase research capacity through Relevance
in illness through the creation of a the hiring of new research talent. The Neurologic disorders affect a
collaborative and translational Program hired two faculty members, large number of Wisconsin
research program focused on the Christopher M. Olsen, PhD, and residents, and the social and
mechanisms, triggers and Matthew Scaglione, PhD, who have monetary costs of care for
consequences of changes in synaptic successfully integrated into the neurologic disorders is significant.
plasticity (the ability of the brain to research community and are making
rewire over time). impacts through their work on how Significance to
addiction rewires the brain, and how
Science and Health
Background protein aggregates lead to
neurodegeneration, respectively. The team’s research directly
Neurological disorders affect 116 relates to learning and
million Americans and it is estimated The Program continued to provide memory disorders, the
that Wisconsin residents and funds, core resources, and consequences of addiction,
businesses incur more than $10 billion opportunities for meeting and diseases in which neurons are
each year in health care and lost lost, including Parkinson's
discussion, all with the aim of
productivity due to pain costs. Disease and ALS, and to
increasing collaboration and
chronic pain, all of which are
capacity for neuroscience research significant problems in
at MCW. Wisconsin.
The Neuroscience Research Center at
MCW was established to confront the
Specific successes include two
most complex neurological research
publications in the prestigious Journal
problems facing our citizenry, with
of Neuroscience. One, by Nashaat
particular focus on:
Gerges, PhD, included Dr. Olsen as a
co-author; the other was led by Sang
i) neurodegenerative diseases like
Hyeong Lee, PhD, and included both
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases,
Drs. Liu and Olsen as co-authors.
ii) nervous system injuries including These efforts highlight how important
brain trauma, concussion, and stroke, collaborations are to completing
iii) developmental disorders such as impactful, high-quality research
autism, cerebral palsy, and attention studies.
deficits, and,
The Program also features pilot
iv) mental disorders like schizophrenia, awards to spur research, and all
depression, and substance abuse. accomplished the aims for which
they were intended.
This award promotes an innovative
Highlights include creation of novel
team of scientists who study synaptic
tools to study schizophrenia, and
plasticity, which is the ability of the
identification of a novel mechanism
neurons in our brain to rewire in
by which exposure to neglect in early
response to normal activity or
life results in changes in the brain.
pathologic stress. Synaptic plasticity
has a role in all neurological disorders
Cecilia Hillard, PhD
and thus, the program has the
Associate Dean for Research,
potential to impact many diseases
Director of the Neuroscience
facing Wisconsin residents.
Research Center, Professor of
Pharmacology and Toxicology
This award was funded by the Advancing a
Healthier Wisconsin Endowment at
the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment | Annual Project SummaryAdvancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment
DEVELOPMENT OF A REDOX BIOLOGY PROGRAM
AWARD AMOUNT: $1,600,000 (2011-2017)
Goal Award Summary
To create a premier program in redox In the past funding period, the
biology at the Medical College of Program has successfully recruited a
Wisconsin (MCW) to foster the sharing second Redox Biology faculty
of ideas and enhance the ability of member, Shayne Squires, MD, a Relevance
researchers to translate basic cardiologist and co-recruit with Ivor
research discoveries into clinical Advances in redox biology have
Benjamin, MD, Director of the
treatments. the potential to identify new
Cardiovascular Center.
therapies for several leading
causes of death, including
Dr. Squires works in the area of redox
Background diabetes, cancer, and
imaging and is creating new cardiovascular disease.
Humans obtain energy from food approaches to visually monitor
through "oxidation", which is defined changes in redox status in animals
as the transfer of an electron from a and humans.
molecule (which is now oxidized) to Significance to
oxygen. To further collaboration, the
researchers have continued the Science and Health
Redox Journal Club and Work-in- The researchers seek to
The reverse process of gaining an Progress program to bring together advance discoveries in the
electron is "reduction", and the study like-minded faculty, which has been area of redox biology, an
of electron transfer is called "redox" increasingly well attended and is exciting area of biomedical
biology. research that studies
proving a great success.
oxidative stress and the
body’s ability to counteract
Some redox processes generate free this stress by using DNA repair
radicals that can damage a wide enzymes and/or antioxidants.
variety of tissues, including the heart, If not regulated properly,
which leads to cardiovascular oxidative stress can induce a
disease. Free radicals also play an variety of chronic and
degenerative diseases.
important role in the development of
cancer and its spread.
Researchers in MCW’s Redox Biology
Program study biological processes
involving the transfer of electrons and
seek to prevent the damage caused
by free radicals by studying how the
body produces and controls them.
Such work will help Wisconsin residents
suffering from diabetes, cancer, and
cardiovascular disease. Because of
the wide role played by free radicals
in human disease, this work may help
with designing therapies for other
diseases in which free radicals
Neil Hogg, PhD
participate.
Associate Dean of Graduate
Students, Director of the
Redox Biology Program, and
Professor of Biophysics
This award was funded by the Advancing a
Healthier Wisconsin Endowment at
the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment | Annual Project SummaryAdvancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment
MAGNETOENCEPHALOGRAPHY (MEG)
RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
AWARD AMOUNT: $694,124 (2013-2017)
Goal
To establish a world-class scanning completed by three
magnetoencephalography (MEG) different research groups, which is a
research program at MCW through significant increase from previous
the support of pilot projects and years.
development of new imaging
Relevance
In addition, the research team Brain imaging studies are an
technologies.
secured funding of the first NIH grant important tool researchers use to
at MCW to use MEG as a primary continue exploring the brain’s
Background measure. This grant to study brain role in health and in disease, and
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is connectivity in Epilepsy using fMRI magnetoencephalography
a technique for measuring small and MEG is part of the NIH Human (MEG) offers advantages over
changes in magnetic fields produced Connectome Project. According to other imaging approaches.
by the electrical activity of neurons in NIH guidelines, all collected data for
the brain, and thus produce images this project will be released to the Significance to
public, providing a high degree of
of the brain. MEG has several Science and Health
advantages over other imaging publicity for MEG research in
Wisconsin. Expanding the use of MEG
approaches, including the ability to
technology will improve
accurately locate areas of activity research projects that use
within the brain. During this period, the Program
imaging to better understand
posted two requests for pilot grant
how the brain works.
applications.
The Froedtert MEG scanner is currently
used to evaluate patients in the MCW The Program also held an
epilepsy and brain tumor programs. educational workshop and hosted
Unfortunately, only a small number of an open house at the MEG scanner
projects so far have used the facility to educate the MCW community
for research. Several factors, including about MEG.
the unavailability of funds for pilot
projects, lack of familiarity with MEG
methodology among local scientists,
and a relatively steep learning curve
for MEG data analysis have
contributed to this low level of
adoption.
This program seeks to promote the
MEG‘s potential as a tool in health
research. An expanded community
of researchers would lead to more
opportunities for collaborations and
translational science within MCW and
between MCW and other institutions.
Award Summary Colin Humphries, PhD
Director of MEG Research, Assistant
The MEG Research Program now
Professor of Neurology
manages all research being
conducted at the MEG scanner at
MCW. During this past year, there This award was funded by the Advancing a
Healthier Wisconsin Endowment at
were over 62 hours of research
the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment | Annual Project SummaryAdvancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment
HIGH IMPACT INTEGRATED BEHAVIORAL AND
BIOMEDICAL INTERVENTIONS TO ERADICATE AIDS
AWARD AMOUNT: $999,395 (2014-2017)
Goal dissemination at public health
To support research to develop and conferences.
test the efficacy of novel interventions
Relevance
designed to reach HIV-positive The research team also established a Decreasing HIV transmission
persons in the community, connect community advisory panel (CAP) requires an understanding of why
them to medical care, increase whose members included HIV positive persons are not
treatment adherence, and thereby receiving regular HIV care, do
representatives from HIV-affected
not adhere to medication
reduce onward transmission of HIV communities, leaders of Wisconsin
regimens, or do not seek HIV
disease. agencies that serve persons living testing, among other areas that
with HIV infection, community will be addressed through this
Background constituencies, and community investment.
stakeholders.
In the first thirty years of AIDS
prevention, campaigns to reduce risk Many interviews have already been Significance to
and change behavior have limited transcribed by project staff and Science and Health
the growth of the HIV epidemic, but qualitatively analyzed, and more This work will benefit the
these techniques have not stopped it. data is still being collected. The team health of Wisconsin by
gave two presentations at public identifying and testing
health scientific conferences: The strategies that: 1) maintain
Recent groundbreaking clinical trials health and decrease HIV-
International Association of Providers
have shown that early treatment with related morbidities and
of AIDS Care (IAPAC) Annual
antiretroviral drugs is now the best mortality, and 2) prevent
Conference and the AIDS IMPACT
available treatment and method of downstream HIV incidence by
2015 Biannual Meeting.
prevention. engaging HIV positive
The project’s Modeling and Cost persons in care, thereby
reducing viral load infectivity,
Approximately 8,500 Wisconsin Data Workgroup has started to
and the likelihood of HIV
residents live with HIV infection. collect relevant HIV epidemiological
transmission to others.
Significant racial disparities exist data needed to undertake modeling
among those living with the disease, analyses, although the analyses
as new infections disproportionately themselves are not scheduled until
impact Milwaukee’s African later project years.
American community.
Efforts to decrease HIV transmission
will be beneficial to Wisconsin
residents and beyond.
Award Summary
During the reporting period, the
research team made progress on
several goals.
The interdisciplinary research team Jeffrey A. Kelly, PhD
created and established project Director of the
operations, developed field activity Center for Aids Intervention
priorities and timelines, finalized an in- Research, Professor of Psychiatry and
depth interview protocol, trained Behavioral Medicine
investigators and staff to conduct
interviews, initiated analyses of This award was funded by the Advancing a
interview data, and prepared Healthier Wisconsin Endowment at
presentations of scientific findings for the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment | Annual Project SummaryAdvancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment
COMMUNITY MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM:
PLANNING PHASE
AWARD AMOUNT: $4,023,658 (2012-2016)
Goal Another milestone was the Higher
To develop a medical education Learning Commission’s (HLC) and the
program that addresses the need for
Relevance
Liaison Committee on Medical
primary care physicians in Education’s (LCME) approvals of The Association of American
underserved Wisconsin communities Medical College estimates that
MCW-Central Wisconsin.
and uses an innovative, immersive increases in medical school
enrollment and residency
teaching model centered on The response from the communities
positions are needed to prevent
prevention, wellness and inter- with whom the project team is
a shortage of about 90,000
professional, team-based learning. working for both regional campuses physicians by 2020. MCW's
has been overwhelmingly positive. efforts will help with this problem
Background This is evidenced by the creation of
in rural and underserved areas.
Nationally, there is concern about the the Pathway Community Partner
adequacy of the primary care Council for MCW-Green Bay and the Significance to
workforce in underserved and rural formation of several Community Science and Health
communities. A national shortage of Advisory Board working groups Physicians trained in
physicians by 2020 is projected, and focusing on MCW-Central Wisconsin. underserved areas of
medical schools have been Wisconsin are more likely to
producing decreasing numbers of Over the next year, the project staff practice in communities that
primary care physicians and doctors and leaders will work to complete the need more primary care
in underserved areas. development of MCW-Central experts, which will increase
Wisconsin site and the second- and the health of people in these
third-year curricula for both communities.
A 2011Wisconsin Hospital Association campuses.
report concluded that there will be
future shortages of primary care
doctors and physicians for the
underserved. These points underlie
the need for MCW's Community
Medical Education Program.
Award Summary
During the reporting period, many of
the project’s goals were achieved
and significant strides were made
toward achieving the remaining
goals.
Through the work of the Medical
School’s Admissions Committee, and
the efforts of the Regional Applicant
Advisory Committee (RAAC), the
team was able to recruit 26 students
(surpassing the goal of 20 students) for Joseph Kerschner, MD, FACS, FAAP
MCW-Green Bay. Dean of the MCW Medical School
and Executive Vice President of
The curriculum developed for MCW-
MCW, Professor of Otolaryngology
Green Bay’s first year students was and Communication Sciences
evaluated during several distance
pilot sessions to test and ensure that
delivery would be received well by This award was funded by the Advancing a
students. Healthier Wisconsin Endowment at
the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment | Annual Project SummaryAdvancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment
HEALTHY WISCONSIN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
AWARD AMOUNT: $731,467 (2011-2015)
Goal
To build public and community health support, and advocacy for HWLI
programming, and revised its mission,
skills and leadership capacity by Relevance
facilitating and providing continuing vision and values with input from the
HWLI Advisory Committee. By providing training, education,
education and training to the public and technical assistance to
health workforce of Wisconsin. support local agendas for
The team developed and held
community health improvement,
workshops, in-community visits, and
Background webinars with the 2014-2015 cohort of
the Institute has enhanced the
ability of its participants to
Calls for innovative approaches to five Community Teams (28 advance health and health
address the nation’s increasingly participants) that focused on issues equity in Wisconsin.
complex public health challenges including improving mental health
have placed emphasis on the need access and awareness in minority
to both strengthen the governmental populations, improving the health of
public health infrastructure and build transgender and gender non- Significance to
broader partnerships among all conforming individuals, improving Science and Health
sectors working to improve health. This food systems, integrating health in The Healthy Wisconsin
is based on the belief that without planning, and enhancing overall Leadership Institute continues
highly competent public health well-being. In addition, the team co- to better train community
professionals in both governmental sponsored a pre-conference session, leaders and statewide multi-
and non‐governmental sectors, the "The Community Readiness Model: A sectoral partnerships to more
need for programs and policies to Program Planning Tool for Community effectively advance health
combat public health threats and Change" at the Wisconsin Public improvement agendas in
Health Association Annual Wisconsin.
impact major determinants of health
will go unmet. Conference.
During the reporting period, the
The Healthy Wisconsin Leadership research team also revised its
Institute (HWLI) was created as a evaluation plan, conducted 20-
collaboration between MCW and the month follow-up assessments with
University of Wisconsin School of Community Teams Program alumni,
Medicine and Public Health to meet redesigned its website, and created
these challenges. a social media presence to facilitate
communication and connections
with stakeholders.
Award Summary
The Institute was identified as one of To further involve the community, the
15 exceptional public health project team participated as a
achievements of the past decade in partner in efforts to develop a
the state health plan, Healthiest collective impact infrastructure in
Wisconsin 2020. Community Teams Wisconsin. The team provided
trained by the Institute strengthened technical assistance and trainings on
partnerships, leveraged media topics including implementation of
coverage, accessed additional the community-facilitated logic
resources, mobilized communities, model, conducting a root cause
analysis, asset mapping, collective Peter M. Layde, MD, MSc
impacted policies, and increased
services. During the reporting period, impact, coalition building, and Co-Director of the Injury Research
the Healthy Wisconsin Leadership action and evaluation planning. The Center, Associate Chair of Global
Institute had several team also launched COACH and Public Health, Professor of
accomplishments. (Collaborating, Organizing, and Emergency Medicine
Advocating for Community Health),
The project team convened a a new program for Community This award was funded by the Advancing a
diverse, statewide Advisory Teams Program alumni. Healthier Wisconsin Endowment at
the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Committee that provides guidance,
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment | Annual Project SummaryAdvancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment
POPULATION HEALTH IMPROVEMENT: RESEARCH AND
EDUCATION TO HELP PATIENTS AND EMPLOYEES WITH
DIABETES OR CANCER
AWARD AMOUNT: $1,800,000 (2013-2017)
Goal data management, and the financial Relevance
To establish a research infrastructure resources to achieve performance 26 million Americans have
to improve population health, initially outcomes and cost control. diabetes, and many also have
cancer. Another 79 million have
focused on diabetes control for
Third was self-care and pre-diabetes in which heart
patients and employees through
management: patients need family complications begin. Despite
better coordinated, patient-centered
and social support of diet/nutrition prevention and treatment
care to ultimately increase options, many individuals lack
and physical activity, help with the
affordable, equitable access to education, motivation, and
financing the costs of self-care, and
quality services. support in modifying their
help facing emotional challenges
lifestyle.
and stigma.
Background
26 million Americans have diabetes.
These themes provide a conceptual Significance to
Another 79 million have pre-diabetes
framework for quality improvements Science and Health
in care coordination initiatives.
in which heart complications begin. Through a focus on diabetes
Additionally, a value-stream control, the project aims to
help participating patients
Despite prevention and treatment mapping effort in ambulatory care
and employees make
options, many individuals lack settings for 28 diabetes patient visits
improvements toward
education, motivation, and support in significantly improved hemoglobin achieving stable blood sugar,
modifying their lifestyle. A1c and micro-albumin testing, as normal cholesterol and blood
well as patient satisfaction at a pilot pressure, decreased tobacco
clinic, and Dr. Tarima is leading use and lower body-mass
Through a focus on diabetes control, analysis of hypertension and index. The project also aims
the project aims to help participating depression in the Clinical Research to decrease the cost of
patients and employees make Data Warehouse sample of 10,000 diabetes care and optimize
improvements toward achieving patients with diabetes. the rate of needed referrals.
stable blood sugar, normal
cholesterol and blood pressure,
decreased tobacco use and lower
body-mass index.
Award Summary
During the reporting period, the
project team, led by Staci Young,
PhD, held focus groups of 115 adults
with diabetes and 15 clinicians, which
demonstrated some important
themes.
First is improvement in patient and
provider communication: patients
need encouragement and John Meurer, MD, MBA
motivation, relationship building, Professor and Director, Institute for
compassion, and to identify Health and Society
communication preferences for in-
person and for MyChart email.
This award was funded by the Advancing a
Second was health service delivery:
Healthier Wisconsin Endowment at
clinicians need support for patient the Medical College of Wisconsin.
health education, care coordination,
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment | Annual Project SummaryAdvancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment
PATIENT-CENTERED OUTCOMES RESEARCH
PROGRAM
AWARD AMOUNT: $900,000 (2012-2017)
Goal
To advance the health of Wisconsin The Program also furthers outcomes
populations through improving research through seed grants. The
methods for conducting patient - three Patient-Centered Outcomes Relevance
centered outcomes research, and Research (PCOR) Seed Grants that
This program has the potential to
applying those methods to key were awarded for FY15 were improve the diagnosis, treatment,
Wisconsin health issues. implemented and successfully and adoption of best treatment
completed. practices of a number of chronic
Background conditions relevant to people in
A PCOR Seed Grant for $15,000 over Milwaukee and southeast
Treatment and prevention for chronic one year was awarded for FY16 and Wisconsin.
diseases and conditions such as started July 1, 2015. Awardees
obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular included Cynthia Kay, MD, MS, who
disease have experienced significant
Significance to
submitted a manuscript for
advancement over the last few years. publication, and presented a poster Science and Health
The adoption of these discoveries into at the National Society for General This project will help narrow
real-life practice continues to lag Internal Medicine Meeting. the gap between what is
behind, particularly for underserved known to improve patient
patients and populations, and the Joan M. Neuner, MD, MPH, outcomes and how health
impact of these gaps on treatment leveraged her PCOR Seed Grant to care providers and patients
submit an R21 application to the NIH act upon this knowledge to
outcomes is substantial. This program
improve health. Data
has the potential to improve the in June 2015, which will examine
generated by this project will
diagnosis, treatment, and adoption of techniques to overcome a possible
also inform how healthcare
best treatment practices of a number barrier that exists in examining can be redesigned to
of chronic conditions relevant to patients in Wisconsin who have mild achieve better outcomes with
people in Milwaukee and southeast bone loss. reduced spending.
Wisconsin.
Raj Rao, MD, submitted an abstract
to the annual meeting of
Award Summary Orthopaedic Research Society
A main purpose of the award is to concerning the advantages of yoga
increase capacity in outcomes therapy over traditional physical
research through faculty recruitment. therapy in the outcome
The Program recruited Onur Asan, measurements of physical function,
PhD, who specializes in human factors mental function (anxiety and
engineering that advances the depression), pain intensity and
understanding of how people interact interference. These efforts will help in
with technology, which will benefit managing chronic lower back pain
the citizens of Wisconsin and beyond. at a lower cost, lead to decreased
treatment costs while maintaining
Dr. Asan received extramural support quality of care, and improve patient
from the Agency for Healthcare examination of osteoporosis (bone
Research and Quality and was loss) in Wisconsin.
awarded an MCW President's Faculty
Scholar Award. He continues to
publish in peer-reviewed journals, and Ann Butler Nattinger MD, MPH, MACP
to present his work nationally and Senior Associate Dean for Research,
internationally. Director of the Center for Patient
Care and Outcomes Research, Lady
Riders Professor of Breast Cancer
Research, Professor of Medicine
This award was funded by the Advancing a
Healthier Wisconsin Endowment at
the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment | Annual Project SummaryAdvancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment
CLINICAL EFFECTIVENESS RESEARCH - IMPROVING
THE VALUE OF HEALTHCARE
AWARD AMOUNT: $300,000 (2013-2017)
Goal
To improve health outcomes for MCW; and external groups like the Relevance
children across the continuum of care Patient-Centered Outcomes By examining existing data or
by generating, evaluating, Research Institute (PCORI), NIH and conducting new studies, clinical
synthesizing, and disseminating the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital effectiveness researchers
research findings that ultimately Medical Center. generate new knowledge that
provide the evidence to enhance patients and their health
medical decisions made by patients To meet the objective of building a providers can use to make
and their health providers. network of clinical effectiveness informed health decisions.
researchers, the team supported the
Background training of two junior faculty
researchers through a workshop Significance to
Clinical Effectiveness Research (CER) focused on patient reported
is an area that is designed to address outcomes: the “Patient-Reported
Science and Health
improvements in health care by Outcomes Measurement Information Advances in comparative
providing better evidence for what System (PROMIS®): From Basics to effectiveness research are
works best for patients. Applications in Clinical Research, key to advancing innovation,
Practice, and Population Health” developing new therapies,
and ensuring that optimal
conference held in Philadelphia in
New evidence will guide health care health care decisions are
May 2015.
decisions to improve health care made for the people of
delivery and improve patient Wisconsin.
The Center continues to distribute
outcomes. Because CER research is monthly newsletters to the campus
not limited to a specific disease, there community to communicate CER
is the possibility for any disease to be activities and highlight publications,
studied and treatment approaches conferences, training events, and
improved. funding opportunities. In addition to
the regular monthly newsletters, the
This work will benefit the larger goals Center sent out five ad hoc mailings
of the Center for Clinical Effectiveness to share information about webinars,
Research (CCEF), whose goals are to seminars, presentations and events
develop and implement key about CER events on campus and
resources to stimulate, facilitate, and externally.
support high-quality, high-impact
clinical effectiveness research.
Award Summary
During this project period, an
Associate Director, Trafford Crump,
PhD, was hired in June 2014, and a
clinical research assistant was hired in
March 2015. The project team
developed 11 new collaborations Julie Panepinto, MD, MSPH
and strengthened 19 strategic
Director of the Center for Clinical
connections. The collaborations were
Effectiveness Research of the
with internal and external groups, and
Children’s Research Institute,
consisted of a national research Professor of Pediatrics/Hematology
network workgroup on sickle cell
disease; a newly formed sickle cell This award was funded by the Advancing a
foundation; internal groups like CTSI Healthier Wisconsin Endowment at
and CRI; individual researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment | Annual Project SummaryAdvancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment
NEUROIMAGING RESEARCH PROGRAM-
NEUROSCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH INITIATIVE
AWARD AMOUNT: $749,995 (2011-2017)
Goal
To build a Neuroimaging Research Matthew Budde, PhD, uses brain Relevance
Program committed to using imaging to detect and monitor injury The researchers are building
emerging radiologic techniques to in the nervous system such as a Neuroimaging Research
develop new means of diagnosing traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal Program committed to
neurologic disorders and measuring cord injury, and stroke. Significant developing new means of
neurological changes following progress was made in developing a diagnosing neurologic
treatment. new MRI imaging technique to disorders and measuring
rapidly assess the extent of spinal neurological changes
Background cord injury, which is likely to be able following treatment.
The more than 600 known to predict outcomes. Dr. Budde
neurological disorders, which include recently obtained extramural funding
stroke, epilepsy and Parkinson’s to investigate the relationship
disease, impact the lives of 50 million between TBI and drug abuse. Significance to
Americans each year according to
Science and Health
estimates from the National Institutes L. Tugan Muftuler, PhD, studies spinal Each year, 50 million
of Health’s Institute of Neurological cord anomalies and his work Americans are affected by
Disorders and Stroke. The future of indicates that the deterioration of the more than 600 known
both experimental and clinical disc endplate, which separates the neurological disorders.
neuroscience research will vertebrae, has a direct effect on Through the Neuroimaging
increasingly emphasize advanced back pain by affecting blood flow Research Program, these
imaging capabilities. In recent years, and nutritional delivery to the disc. patients will have access to
rapid evolution of imaging science Endplate degeneration is related to new treatment options and
has made it possible to identify loss of hydration and the structural advanced care.
disease in unique ways. proteins, which are critical for disc
maintenance.
Ultimately, these advances in medical
imaging will improve long-term Dr. Muftuler also continues his work to
outcome for patients suffering from improve MRI imaging technology for
neurological disease and injury. There neurodegeneration issues such as
is a high likelihood that such Alzheimer’s disease. The advances
techniques will allow clinicians to improve image resolution and allow
begin therapies much earlier, and rapid scanning. The research team is
hopefully improve the health of also applying this technique in
patients in Wisconsin and elsewhere. studying long-term brain injury after
Furthermore, it will also allow us to concussion.
evaluate changes associated with
disease and treatment, and thus,
make decisions that will affect the
quality of peoples’ lives.
Dennis Maiman, MD, PhD
Award Summary Professor, Neurosurgery
The award allowed recruitment of
two researchers whose work stands to
improve the health of the people of This award was funded by the Advancing a
Wisconsin. Healthier Wisconsin Endowment at
the Medical College of Wisconsin.
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