Institute for Clinical and Translational Science

Early Stage Translation

• Kevin Campbell, PhD – Therapeutic strategies for the treatment of various muscular dystrophies. Dr Campbell's research uses mouse models to explore the therapeutic potential of improving muscle membrane maintenance for treating Duchenne dystrophy.
• Gary Hunninghake, MD – Translation of basic science observations to the bedside and back. Dr Hunninghake's research focuses on translation of basic observations related to lung inflammation into patient studies and translating findings from his clinical studies back to the bench for further understanding.
• Joel Kline, MD, MSc – Modulation of airway inflammation in asthma. Dr Kline's research focuses on
  1) testing the hygiene hypothesis of asthma;
  2) effects of microbial products, bioimmunomodulators, and environmental contaminants on airway inflammation; and
  3) mind-brain-body connections in asthma. Dr Kline leads an interdisciplinary research team that examines cellular and molecular mechanisms, uses animal models, and conducts clinical and epidemiological projects.
• Clark Stanford, DDS, PhD – Nanotechnology and development of novel clinical and translational methodologies. Dr Stanford's research focuses on
  1) medical device design,
  2) osteoblast gene expression as a function of nanotopographic surface features, and
  3) clinical studies of advanced tooth replacement therapies.
• Jack Stapleton, MD – Tranlsational virology. Dr Stapleton's research includes laboratory studies of interactions between HIV with hepatitis and GB viruses and clinical studies involving Phase II and III studies of viral vaccines antiviral therapies and of the use of molecular diagnostic methods in a number of national HIV cohorts.
• Michael Welsh, MD – Cystic fibrosis and airway epithelial biology. Dr Welsh's research focuses on a wide range of issues surrounding cystic fibrosis, including mutations in the CFTR chloride channel gene, regulation of CFTR chloride channel, the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis lung disease, and development of novel gene therapy treatments for cystic fibrosis and other genetic diseases.

Computational Biology and Genetics

• Thomas Casavant, PhD – Gene discovery and function prediction. Dr Cassavant's research applies computational and networking techniques to problems of genomics and human genetics. His collaborations with other university investigators have led to the identification of genome loci linked to macular degeneration, autism, and hypertension and obesity. His team developed GenoMap, a web-based system to gather and analyze pedigree, genotype, and phenotype data.
• David Eichmann, PhD – Adaptive, multi-modal access to information. Dr Eichmann's research focuses on
  1) adaptive, extensible recognition of features in text, images, and video;
  2) modular composition of information retrieval architectures; and
  3) development of scalable information architectures in cluster and grid environments.
• Jeffrey Murray, MD – Translational research in birth defects. Dr Murray's research focuses on
  1) gene/environment interactions in the etiology of birth defects;
  2) clinical trials in less developed countries; and
  3) genetic and population based analyses of perinatal disorders.
• Paul McCray, Jr, MD – Pulmonary innate immunity and gene transfer. Dr McCray's research examines
  1) airway epithelial response to infection and inflammation;
  2) genomic approaches to discovering gene clusters and products that contribute to lung defenses; and
  3) the development of lentiviral vectors for cystic fibrosis gene therapy.
• Richard Smith, MD – Genetic determinants of hearing loss. Dr Smith's clinical research examines genetic mutations associated with hearing loss and the ethical implications of the introduction of genetic testing. His basic research focuses on autosomal recessive and dominant non-syndromic deafness.
• Edwin Stone, MD, PhD – Genetic approaches to inherited eye disease. Dr Stone's research examines the
  1) effects of genetic variations on vision;
  2) characterization of genes involved in macular degeneration, glaucoma, and retinitis pigmentosa; and
  3) development of clinical applications of genetic findings. Dr Stone's team has mapped numerous genes, including the first human glaucoma gene.

Clinical Research

• Nancy Andreasen, MD, PhD – Schizophrenia neuroimaging and genomic research. Dr Andreasen's research focuses on neuroimaging research in schizophrenia, using structural and functional MR imaging and positron emission tomography. She leads a team working to develop innovative methods for analyzing structural and functional images and integrating genomic and imaging data. She also directs a neuroimaging training program.
• John Callaghan, MD – Biomechanical factors in arthroplasty outcomes. Dr Callaghan's work examines 1) biomechanical characteristics of surgical implants associated with implant longevity and hip dislocation; 2) computer simulation models of hip dislocation; 3) outcomes of total hip and knee arthroplasty.
• Bruce Gantz, MD – Development of cochlear implants.target="_blank" Dr Gantz directs a multidisciplinary P-50 center that studies the electrophysiology of auditory processing and effects of cochlear implants in adults and children. His team developed a new implant for patients with residual hearing that is in Phase II FDA trials.
• William Haynes, MBChB, MD – Endovasclar function. Dr Haynes' research interests include
  1) effects of homocysteine, diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia on endothelial function; and
  2) cardiovascular and autonomic effects of obesity, focusing on novel mediators such as leptin and the melanocortins.
• Geoffrey McLennan, MD, PhD – Lung imaging. Dr McLennan's research focuses on micro and macro imaging of the lung using CT, MRI, and endoscopic and optical imaging strategies.
• Robert Robinson, MD – Mood disorders in stroke and brain injury. Dr Robinson's research focuses on strategies to illuminate the course and treatment of depression and other mood disorders following stroke and traumatic brain injury. His research team is involved with conducting a number of novel brain imaging studies using magnetic spectroscopy and treatment protocols, including pharmacological strategies and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Epidemiology and Behavioral Health

• Elizabeth Chrischilles, PhD, PharmD – Evaluating treatment effectiveness. Dr Chrischilles's research focuses on
  1) assessing the effectiveness of preventive and therapeutic strategies in observational cohorts using new approaches of adjusting for selection bias; and
  2) innovative disease management models of chronic illness using community-based pharmacists.
• Steven Levy, DDS, MPH – Epidemiology of oral disease. Dr Levy's research focuses on oral epidemiological studies of both the elderly and children, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary work that integrates assessments of molecular and genetic markers and dietary factors.
• Charles Lynch, MD, PhD – Cancer epidemiology. Dr Lynch's research interests include cancer surveillance and epidemiology and environmental epidemiology.
• Matthew Rizzo, MD – Neurological diseases. Dr Rizzo's research focuses on neurological and cognitive factors that influence driving performance.
• James Torner, MS, PhD – Evaluation of disease interventions. Dr Torner's research includes clinical trials in acute stroke and trauma, large prevention trials, and development of statewide registries and has been funded by the NIH, CDC, and industry.
• Robert Wallace, MD – Prevention of disabling illnesses of older persons. Dr Wallace's research focuses on the
  1) epidemiology of chronic disabling illnesses among older people, such as dementia, arthritis and cancer;
  2) health problems of older women, based on the clinical trials and observational studies; and
  3) longitudinal patterns of health care use and functional decline in the elderly.

Community Translation

• Barry Carter, PharmD – Collaborative models for improving medication use. Dr Carter's research focuses on interdisciplinary strategies to improve adherence to treatment guidelines, methods to improve drug therapy, and strategies to reduce medication risk.
• Michael O'Hara, PhD – Perinatal mental health. Dr O'Hara's research focuses on all aspects of perinatal mental health including epidemiology of depression and anxiety during pregnancy and the post partum, causal factors, psychotherapy, impact on children, and identification and treatment in community settings and with low income and minority women.
• Gary Rosenthal, MD – Variations in health care delivery. Dr Rosenthal's research focuses on assessing the impact of variations in health care delivery and disseminating evidence-based practices. He leads an interdisciplinary team with expertise in large database analysis, organizational behavior, health economics, guideline development, and treatment adherence.
• Fredric Wolinsky, PhD – Equity in health services use. Dr Wolinsky's research focuses on the health of older adults, with special attention to the longitudinal measurement and modeling of health status and health services use.