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Home - Science - Scientist Directory - McEver, Rodger P.

Rodger P. McEver, M.D.

Distinguished Career Scientist

Adjunct Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

My 101

The research in my lab focused on how circulating blood cells attach to blood vessel surfaces at sites of tissue injury or infection. Substances released at these sites direct the endothelial cells that line blood vessels to display “adhesion molecules.” These molecules enable circulating white blood cells, or leukocytes, to roll along the vessel surface. The rolling cells then slow to a stop and then crawl between the endothelial cells into the tissues, where they destroy invading microbes. This process is known as inflammation. Similarly, circulating platelets use adhesion molecules to roll along tissues that are exposed when blood vessels are disrupted. The platelets then stop and form clumps to slow hemorrhage and promote blood clotting.  Inflammation and blood clotting are often linked. Indeed, leukocytes sometimes roll on and then stick to blood platelets. Excessive inflammation and blood clotting contribute toward many diseases, including heart attacks, stroke, dysfunction of transplanted organs, deep vein thrombosis, and sickle cell crisis.

Three adhesion molecules, called selectins, direct the initial rolling of leukocytes on endothelial cells and platelets. Our lab discovered one of the selectins, which is displayed on both endothelial cells and platelets, and also discovered its interacting partner, or ligand, on leukocytes. Examination of the molecular details of how selectins bind to their ligands has suggested means to inhibit these interactions in disease. We also collaborated with bioengineers to study how cellular and molecular features adjust to complex fluid dynamics to facilitate blood cell adhesion under flow. This work involves sophisticated video microscopy to visualize cell adhesion in flow chambers that mimic the conditions in the circulation.

Finally, my lab generated a variety of genetically engineered mice in which key adhesion or signaling molecules have been deleted or modified. These mice provide powerful tools for investigating molecular function in models of inflammation or blood clotting in living animals.

Research

During responses to infection and tissue injury, circulating leukocytes and platelets adhere to each other and to the endothelial surface of blood vessels. Dysregulated adhesion of these cells contributes to thrombotic and inflammatory disorders. Leukocytes first tether to and then roll on vascular surfaces, a prerequisite for the subsequent arrest and then migration of the cells into the underlying tissues.

Tethering and rolling require rapid interaction of three related cell adhesion molecules called selectins with glycosylated cell-surface ligands. These interactions must withstand the forces applied to adherent cells by the wall shear stresses in the circulation. We discovered a sialomucin called PSGL-1, which is the major ligand on leukocytes for P-selectin and L-selectin and which also binds to E-selectin.

We have identified a number of molecular and cellular features that govern how selectins bind to their glycoconjugate ligands. These include the extension of binding domains above the cell surface, the clustering of selectins or their ligands through interactions of the cytosolic domains with clathrin-coated pits or the cytoskeleton and the dynamic extension and retraction of long, thin membrane tethers during rolling adhesion. We discovered that different levels of force affect the lifetimes of selectin-ligand bonds in a biphasic manner. Low forces prolong lifetimes (catch bonds), whereas higher forces shorten lifetimes (slip bonds). Catch bonds help explain the paradoxical requirement for a minimum flow rate to support cell adhesion mediated through L-selectin.

Studies with gene-targeted mice have a identified a novel role for PSGL-1 in mediating tethering of flowing leukocytes to E-selectin on inflamed vascular surfaces, a function for core 1-derived O-glycans in angiogenesis during development, and an unexpected contribution of cytokine receptors in bone marrow endothelial cells for hematopoiesis.

We are using biochemical and crystallographic approaches to further refine the structural features involved in selectin-ligand interactions, flow chambers to study the biophysical features required for selectins to support cell interactions under flow and a variety of gene-targeted mice to study the functions of selectins, PSGL-1, glycosyltransferases and cytokine receptors in vivo. Our long-term goal is to understand how lectin-carbohydrate interactions in the vasculature contribute to inflammation, hemostasis and hematopoiesis.

Brief CV

Education
B.A., Yale University (cum laude), 1970
M.D., University of Chicago, 1974

Honors and Awards
1986-1991 NIH Research Career Development Award
1986 elected to American Society for Clinical Investigation
1993 Regents’ Award for Superior Accomplishment in Research and Creative Activity, University of Oklahoma
1994 elected to Association for American Physicians
1997 Investigator Recognition Award, International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis
1997 NIH Merit Award
1998 George Lynn Cross Research Professor, University of Oklahoma
2000 elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
2001 Fred Jones Distinguished Scientist, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
2001 elected Fellow of the American Heart Association
2008 Edward L. and Thelma Gaylord Prize for Scientific Achievement

Other Activities
Past or present service on editorial boards for Journal of Clinical Investigation, Blood, Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, Journal of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, and Journal of Biological Chemistry; reviewer for several other journals and publications; review committees and study sections for the National Institutes of Health, American Heart Association and other.

Established his lab at OMRF in 1987. 

Publications

View more publications

Recent Publications

Kondo Y, Larabee JL, Gao L, Shi H, Shao B, Hoover CM, McDaniel JM, Ho YC, Silasi-Mansat R, Archer-Hartmann SA, Azadi P, Srinivasan RS, Rezaie AR, Borczuk A, Laurence JC, Lupu F, Ahamed J, McEver RP, Papin JF, Yu Z, Xia L. L-SIGN is a receptor on liver sinusoidal endothelial cells for SARS-CoV-2 virus. JCI Insight 6, 2021 July, PMID: 34291736, PMCID: PMC8410055

Hoover CM, Kondo Y, Shao B, McDaniel M, Lee R, McGee S, Whiteheart SW, Bergmeier W, McEver RP, Xia L. Heightened activation of embryonic megakaryocytes causes aneurysms in the developing brain of mice lacking podoplanin. Blood, 2021 May, PMID: 33619517, PMCID: PMC8138551

Bergstrom K, Shan X, Casero D, Batushansky A, Lagishetty V, Jacobs JP, Hoover C, Kondo Y, Shao B, Gao L, Zandberg W, Noyovitz B, McDaniel JM, Gibson DL, Pakpour S, Kazemian N, McGee S, Houchen CW, Rao CV, Griffin TM, Sonnenburg JL, McEver RP, Braun J, Xia L. Proximal colon-derived O-glycosylated mucus encapsulates and modulates the microbiota. Science 370:467-472, 2020 October, PMID: 33093110, PMCID: PMC8132455

Selected Publications

Zhang N, Liu Z, Yao L, Mehta-D'souza P, McEver RP. P-Selectin Expressed by a Human SELP Transgene Is Atherogenic in Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2016 Jun;36(6):1114-21. PMID: 27102967 PMCID: PMC4882243

Liu Z, Zhang N, Shao B, Panicker SR, Fu J, McEver RP. Replacing the Promoter of the Murine Gene Encoding P-selectin with the Human Promoter Confers Human-like Basal and Inducible Expression in Mice. J Biol Chem. 2016 Jan 15;291(3):1441-7. PMID: 26631722 PMCID: PMC4714226

* Yago T, Tsukamoto H, Liu Z, Wang Y, Thompson LF, McEver RP. Multi-Inhibitory Effects of A2A Adenosine Receptor Signaling on Neutrophil Adhesion Under Flow. J Immunol 2015 Oct 15;195(8):3880-9. PMID: 26355151  PMCID: PMC4592819

Yago T, Petrich BG, Zhang N, Liu Z, Shao B, Ginsberg MH, McEver RP. Blocking neutrophil integrin activation prevents ischemia-reperfusion injury. J Exp Med 2015. PMID: 26169939 PMCID: PMC4516797

Shao B, Yago T, Setiadi H, Wang Y, Mehta-D'Souza P, Fu J, Crocker PR, Rodgers W, Xia L, McEver RP. O-glycans direct selectin ligands to lipid rafts on leukocytes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015. PMID: 26124096 PMCID: PMC4507194

Herzog BH, Fu J, Wilson SJ, Hess PR, Sen A, McDaniel JM, Pan Y, Sheng M, Yago T, Silasi-Mansat R, McGee S, May F, Nieswandt B, Morris AJ, Lupu F, Coughlin SR, McEver RP, Chen H, Kahn ML, Xia L. Podoplanin maintains high endothelial venule integrity by interacting with platelet CLEC-2. Nature 502:105-109, 2013. PMID: 23995678 PMCID: PMC3791160

Contact

Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, MS 45
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
825 N.E. 13th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Phone: (405) 271-6480
Fax: (405) 271-3137
E-mail: Rodger-McEver@omrf.org

For media inquiries, please contact OMRF’s Office of Public Affairs at news@omrf.org.

News from the McEver lab

Dr. McEver in the Media

News from the McEver lab

Bodywork: Time for another Covid booster?
March 7, 2023

Each week, OMRF Vice President of Research Dr. Rod McEver opens “Adam’s Journal” to answer a medical question from Adam Cohen, OMRF’s senior vice president & general counsel. Adam’s Journal Here’s a question from a reader: Dear Dr. McEver, I got my fourth Covid vaccination in September. I am at high risk because of my […]

A retirement well earned
March 5, 2023

A look back as Dr. Rod McEver wraps up 35 years of seeking answers to medical mysteries at OMRF.

Bodywork: An introduction to the gut microbiome
February 28, 2023

I’ve heard products advertising their benefits for “gut health.” What exactly is that, and how would I even know if my gut is healthy – or not?

Bodywork: Does being short have health benefits?
February 26, 2023

I recently read an article claiming that there’s never been a better time to be short.

Bodywork: Understanding a low iron reading
February 7, 2023

My sister is a 48-year-old vegetarian and a marathoner. Recently, she was feeling fatigued, and a friend suggested she have her iron levels tested. The results showed that her ferritin levels were low. What does this mean? Should she worry?

Bodywork: Can a collar protect athletes from brain injuries?
January 31, 2023

While watching the NFL playoffs, I’ve noticed a number of players wearing what looks like a collar around their necks. It’s not attached to anything, and it’s not bulky like a typical pad. Any idea what this is and why players are wearing it?

Bodywork: Getting to the root of “chemo curls”
January 24, 2023

My friend’s chemo treatment caused him to lose his hair temporarily. His formerly straight hair is now curly. Is this normal?

Bodywork: Time to put over-the-counter cold medicines on ice?
January 17, 2023

Last week, we talked about nutrition when you have a cold or other respiratory virus. But what about treatments? How well do over-the-counter medicines work, especially when it comes to relieving stuffiness and congestion?

Bodywork: Should you feed a cold and starve a fever?
January 10, 2023

With the many respiratory viruses going around, I’m reminded of an old adage: Feed a cold and starve a fever. Does this time-worn advice hold true?

Bodywork: Tips for a healthy 2023
December 27, 2022

Simple tips to make 2023 a healthy one

Bodywork: New reading glasses for aging eyes?
December 20, 2022

For the long-term strength of my vision, is it better to switch to a higher magnification now or hang on with current level as long as I can?

Bodywork: What is gene therapy?
December 13, 2022

I read about a clinical trial using gene therapy in a group of Alzheimer’s patients. I’ve heard the term a lot, but what, exactly, is gene therapy?

Bodywork: Can it be too cold to exercise?
December 6, 2022

I recently returned from Minnesota, where the mercury dipped into the single digits, and winds made it feel even chillier. Can it be too frigid to exercise, or did I just find a convenient excuse?

School’s Out
December 5, 2022

OMRF’s education programs enjoyed a record summer in 2022. For most students, summer means late nights, lake days and snooze buttons. But for those who spend the dog days in OMRF’s labs, it’s mice, pipettes and data analysis. Despite the obvious appeal of a lazy few months between semesters, in recent years, OMRF has seen […]

Ask Dr. McEver: Terms and Conditions
December 5, 2022

Dear Dr. McEver, Hospital employees, especially when talking to the media, often describe a patient’s condition as “stable.” What does that mean? And when they say a person’s condition is “fair,” how does that differ from “good”?  Jo Jones Edmond, OK Dr. McEver Prescribes There is no universal definition of the term “stable” in the […]

Bodywork: The chickenpox vaccine and shingles
November 22, 2022

I read recently that something like 90% of American children are now vaccinated for chickenpox. What does that mean for their risk for shingles?

Bodywork: Is daylight saving time bad for our health?
November 15, 2022

Daylight saving time recently ended. When it did, I saw some headlines saying that it’s bad for our health. Seriously?

Bodywork: Understanding the rise in C-sections
November 8, 2022

It seems like there are more births by cesarean section these days than, say, 20 years ago when my kids were born (both by C-section). Is this my imagination?

Bodywork: Are new and better flu shots coming?
November 1, 2022

What’s this new vaccine, and how is it different from the shots we receive now?

Bodywork: Does Covid-19 impact our ability to exercise?
October 25, 2022

What, if anything, do researchers know about the long-term impact of Covid-19 on people’s fitness levels?

Bodywork: Can exercise compromise the immune system?
October 20, 2022

Can exercise — and especially long and intense sessions — compromise our immune systems?

Bodywork: Doubling up on flu shots
October 11, 2022

How long does immunity from a flu shot last? Would a booster after the first shot help?

Bodywork: Positioning yourself to make pills work faster
October 4, 2022

I read there may be a ‘right’ way to swallow a pill, or at least a more efficient method. Is that true?

Bodywork: Understanding new advice for anxiety screening
September 27, 2022

I read that anxiety screening is now recommended for all adult patients under age 65. What’s involved in a screening, and why the upper age limit?

Bodywork: Taking umbilical cord blood to the bank
September 13, 2022

Before my kids were born, we had to decide whether to pay for umbilical cord blood banking. We chose not to, but in the ensuing 20-plus years, I’ve continued to see ads targeted at new parents for this service. Is it worthwhile?

Bodywork: Shaking the grip of hand, foot and mouth disease
September 6, 2022

My preschooler and I recently had hand, foot and mouth disease. I’ve read that some people lose fingernails and toenails after recovering. When will my household’s nails be in the clear, and now that we’ve been through this once, are we immune?

Bodywork: Vitamin D-bunked?
August 30, 2022

My doctor recommended I take vitamin D to keep osteoporosis at bay. Now I’ve read the vitamin doesn’t do as much for bones as once thought. What gives?

Ask Dr. McEver: Coffee Conundrum
August 24, 2022

What does science say about a daily cup of joe?

Bodywork: An old vaccine to fight new outbreaks?
August 23, 2022

I just heard about research suggesting an old vaccine might help fight off novel illnesses like Covid-19. Did I hear right?

OMRF experts share tips to ace the school year
August 22, 2022

Make this school year safe, healthy and happy.

Bodywork: Do adults need whooping cough boosters to protect newborns?
August 16, 2022

My daughter is pregnant, and she’s asked me to get a whooping cough booster shot. If I received all the required boosters as a child, is it really necessary?

Bodywork: Understanding one-dose vaccine strategy for monkeypox
August 9, 2022

I’ve read that even though the monkeypox vaccine is typically given in a two-dose cycle, some cities are administering only a single dose at this time. Why? And is this an effective approach?

Bodywork: Are Covid-19 boosters coming for those under 50?
August 2, 2022

With highly contagious strains of the coronavirus having caused yet another surge, what is the outlook for second boosters for the general population?

Bodywork: Taking stock of a new coronavirus vaccine
July 26, 2022

Each week, OMRF Vice President of Research Dr. Rod McEver opens “Adam’s Journal” to answer a medical question from Adam Cohen, OMRF’s senior vice president & general counsel. Adam’s Journal The Food and Drug Administration recently approved another Covid-19 vaccine. What makes this shot different than the others, how effective is it, and should those […]

Bodywork: Is taking expired medication risky?
July 19, 2022

Are there risks to taking expired pills, and is it better than skipping a dose?

Bodywork: Does heavy sweating call for supplements?
July 12, 2022

My son is attending a summer program in a place that is long on hot weather and short on air-conditioning. Does he need supplements to replace what he sweats out?

Bodywork: When to treat respiratory infections with antibiotics
June 28, 2022

How can you know when to treat a respiratory illness with antibiotics?

Bodywork: Was it Covid – or something else?
June 21, 2022

I spent the better part of last week at home with what I would describe as prototypical Covid symptoms, yet each time I tested, I came back negative. What gives?

Bodywork: Understanding a Covid antiviral treatment
June 14, 2022

Several people I know who’ve recently come down with Covid-19 have been treated with a drug called Paxlovid. How effective is it, and are there any downsides?

Bodywork: Is monkeypox the next pandemic?
June 7, 2022

How serious a public health threat is monkeypox?

Bodywork: Seeking relief for blistered feet
May 24, 2022

I find myself in a conundrum I’ve faced many times before: Should I lance the blister or leave it alone?

Bodywork: Does hearing loss impact health?
May 17, 2022

My grandmother has increased difficulty hearing, but she is hesitant to get hearing aids. If she leaves her hearing loss unchecked, could it also lead to other health problems?

Bodywork: To clock or count calories?
May 10, 2022

Intermittent fasting, a weight loss technique that requires people to eat on a specific schedule, has gained popularity recently. Does this diet really work?

Bodywork: Coping with thin air
May 3, 2022

Can altitude sickness be prevented, and is it anything more than a nuisance?

Bodywork: Why stomach illnesses hit children hardest
April 19, 2022

As the pandemic has eased, I’ve noticed an increase in stomach illnesses among friends and acquaintances.

Bodywork: Can high cholesterol have roots in DNA?
April 12, 2022

I’m 35, I lost 60 pounds, eat a Mediterranean diet and exercise daily. Yet, at my physical last month, my cholesterol was still high. Can this be genetic?

Bodywork: Weighing a second Covid-19 booster
April 5, 2022

So, I can get the booster. But should I?

Bodywork: Is another Covid-19 surge on the horizon?
March 29, 2022

Do we need to be worried about a surge of the new Covid-19 strain BA.2? Is it any worse than the original omicron variant?

Bodywork: Getting the skinny on vitamin bars
March 22, 2022

Vitamin “bars,” where people get intravenous doses of vitamin and mineral solutions, seem to be trending. Is this medical fact or marketing hype?

Bodywork: Are better Z’s in a bottle?
March 15, 2022

Melatonin seems more popular than ever. Does it work? Is it safe to use?

Bodywork: Can people under 50 get the shingles vaccine?
March 8, 2022

The shingles vaccine is recommended for people ages 50 and up. Do you have to wait until you’re 50 to get vaccinated?

Bodywork: Is it time for another Covid-19 booster?
March 1, 2022

Each week, OMRF Vice President of Research Dr. Rod McEver opens “Adam’s Journal” to answer a medical question from Adam Cohen, OMRF’s senior vice president & general counsel. Adam’s Journal I participated in the clinical trial of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, which means I received my initial shots much earlier than most people. As a […]

Bodywork: Is a severe headache cause for concern?
February 22, 2022

Recently, I experienced the worst headache I’ve ever had. The pain was so severe that I threw up. But oddly, when I vomited, the pain from the headache subsided almost immediately. Why would this be, and is it cause for concern?

Bodywork: How does alcohol affect sleep?
February 15, 2022

After a drink or two, I notice that I fall asleep faster than usual. But, increasingly, I find that sleep doesn’t last, as I awaken in the middle of the night and often have a hard time getting back to sleep. What’s going on?

Bodywork: When viruses change
February 8, 2022

When does a mutated virus become so different from the original that it’s considered a new virus, rather than simply a variation of an existing one?

Bodywork: Does strenuous exercise leave us prone to illness?
February 1, 2022

I recently ran a marathon. Do I need to worry that, at least in the short run, this kind of effort will leave my body more prone to illnesses like Covid-19?

Bodywork: Understanding Covid-19 antibody tests
January 25, 2022

My husband and I were fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in January 2021, and we received booster doses in October. Last month, blood tests showed we were negative for Covid-19 antibodies. Why would that be?

Bodywork: Should we upgrade our masks?
January 18, 2022

For much of the pandemic, cloth and surgical masks were the best many of us could get. Now that masks like the N95 and KN95 are more widely available, should we be wearing those?

Bodywork: For sleep debt, there’s no easy payback
January 12, 2022

For 2022, I’ve resolved to get enough sleep. But if I fall behind, what does it take to get caught back up?

Bodywork: What 2021 taught us about exercise
January 4, 2022

The New Year brings resolutions for better health. What did medical research tell us about exercise in 2021?

Bodywork: Should we empty our glasses for a ‘Dry January’?
December 28, 2021

“Dry January” has become increasingly popular. But does abstaining from alcohol for a single month in a year really make a difference?

Ask Dr. McEver: How Yellowstone’s hot springs paved the way for DNA testing
December 21, 2021

How can a bacteria found in a hot spring play a role in decoding human genes?

Bodywork: Five questions for a healthier Christmas
December 21, 2021

For Christmas, I have a Santa’s list of health questions. First, is eggnog with raw egg safe to drink?

Bodywork: How long does mono’s fatigue last?
December 14, 2021

My teenage daughter was diagnosed with mono two weeks ago, and she still seems tired. One day she’s okay, the next she’s not. Does it really take this long to recover?

Bodywork: Are cold hands cause for alarm?
December 7, 2021

The other day, even with gloves, my fingers were so cold and numb that I had trouble unlocking my door. Is this something I need to worry about?

Bodywork: Five questions for a healthier Thanksgiving
November 23, 2021

For Thanksgiving, I have some health questions. Let’s start with one I hear pretty much every year: Does eating turkey actually make you sleepy?

Bodywork: Do braces provide real relief for tennis elbow?
November 16, 2021

Are braces for joints another example of the placebo effect, or are they for real?

Bodywork: What causes fainting after running?
November 2, 2021

During a recent marathon, a friend stopped briefly to pose for a photo with family and friends. But when he did, he felt faint and nearly passed out. He went on to finish the race and reports no further problems. Is this something he needs to explore further with his doctor?

OMRF experts explain the physiology of fright
October 28, 2021

What causes the physiological reaction of panic when we know intellectually that we will escape the haunted house unscathed?

Bodywork: Making sense of new advice for aspirin and heart health
October 26, 2021

I’ve heard it said you should take an aspirin or baby aspirin a day to help prevent heart attacks and strokes. But I read that this advice has changed?

Bodywork: Why don’t Covid-19 vaccinations last a lifetime?
October 19, 2021

Some vaccines last a lifetime. How come Covid-19 shots don’t seem to?

Research on the Rise
October 12, 2021

In 2011, OMRF completed the largest campus expansion in the foundation’s history. With the construction of a new research tower, OMRF added 186,000 square feet of research and clinical space to its research campus. Funded through a combination of private gifts and state and federal grants, the facility houses dozens of laboratories, an imaging and […]

A Time of Growth
October 12, 2021

When Dr. William Thurman, above, took the helm of OMRF, he brought the lab coat he’d worn since his days training as a pediatric oncologist. That powder-blue garment, along with the bow ties he favored, would become synonymous with OMRF throughout the 1980s (and most of the 1990s). But his sartorial flourishes would prove the […]

Bodywork: Can you get flu and Covid vaccines at the same time?
October 12, 2021

Flu shots have arrived. Is there any danger in getting a flu vaccine and a Covid-19 shot at the same time?

Bodywork: When can we expect Covid vaccines for kids?
October 5, 2021

The Food and Drug Administration has approved Covid-19 vaccines for adults and for children and teens 12 and up. What’s taking so long for younger kids?

Bodywork: Do pain relievers make vaccines less effective?
September 28, 2021

After my Covid-19 vaccination, the pharmacist recommended I take ibuprofen if my arm was sore the next day. Do nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen interfere with the body’s immune response to vaccination?

Bodywork: Understanding Covid-19 monoclonal antibody treatments
September 21, 2021

I’ve read about monoclonal antibodies as a treatment for Covid-19. What are they, and are they alternatives to vaccination?

Bodywork: Why are some people mosquito magnets?
September 14, 2021

I tend to draw mosquitoes like an ice cream truck does kids. While the same seems to hold true for my younger son, the bloodthirsty pests ignore my older son. What gives?

Bodywork: Can a drug for livestock treat Covid-19?
September 7, 2021

I’ve read reports of people taking a drug called ivermectin to prevent and treat Covid-19. Is this safe? And is there evidence it’s effective?

Bodywork: For summer workouts, sweating is good – to a point
August 31, 2021

While exercising, what’s a good way to know when I’m experiencing “normal” perspiration and when I need to worry about dehydration and overheating?

OMRF marks 75 years of discovery
August 25, 2021

OMRF is marking its 75th anniversary in 2021.

Bodywork: Summer viruses are making an unwelcome return
August 24, 2021

The summer cold season seems worse than usual this year. Does this have something to do with the pandemic?

Bodywork: Does exercising in a mask pose risks?
August 17, 2021

Should I be concerned about a high level of physical exertion while trying to stay Covid-safe?

Bodywork: When will vaccines receive full FDA approval?
August 10, 2021

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration still hasn’t given full approval to any of the vaccines. What’s the delay and what could

Bodywork: Understanding breakthrough Covid-19 infections
August 3, 2021

As a fully vaccinated person, how worried do I need to be about “breakthrough” infections of COVID-19?

Bodywork: Why do needles make some people faint?
July 27, 2021

I know people who nearly pass out at the mere sight of a needle. What causes this? Is there a way to make it stop?

Bodywork: Understanding Guillain-Barré syndrome
July 20, 2021

Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus vaccine may be linked to a rare side effect called Guillain-Barré syndrome. What is this syndrome?

Bodywork: Understanding at-home Covid tests
July 13, 2021

At-home rapid COVID-19 tests are increasingly becoming available. How reliable are these tests, and how do they work?

Bodywork: Will natural immunity protect against the new Covid-19 delta variant?
July 6, 2021

Are those who’ve recovered from Covid-19 but remain unvaccinated protected from infection by the variant?

Bodywork: Do pain medications cause ulcers?
June 29, 2021

Should I worry about ulcers when taking the occasional Advil or Motrin?

Bodywork: Is sugar a culprit for rowdiness and hyperactivity?
June 22, 2021

Does the long-held belief about a ‘sugar high’ have a scientific basis?

Bodywork: Do we need less sleep as we age?
June 15, 2021

Each week, OMRF Vice President of Research Dr. Rod McEver opens “Adam’s Journal” to answer a medical question from Adam Cohen, OMRF’s senior vice president & general counsel and interim president. Adam’s Journal As I’ve grown older (I’m 53), I’ve noticed that I seem to be sleeping less. In particular, I tend to wake in […]

Getting to the heart of women’s health
May 11, 2021

As part of National Women’s Health Week, experts at OMRF are getting to the heart of the matter: cardiovascular disease.
 

2020 Annual Report: From Bedside to Bench
April 29, 2021

First a physician, Dr. Lijun Xia has become a research star As a young physician in China, Dr. Lijun Xia treated people with life-threatening blood diseases. But few medications existed to help the people he cared for, and over time, the hematologist grew frustrated. “I wanted to do better for my patients, to give them […]

Oklahoma foundation helps develop drug to treat sickle cell disease
January 21, 2021

Researchers at OMRF helped develop a drug that brings relief to patients with sickle cell disease.

OMRF drug ‘a blessing’ for sickle cell patient
January 11, 2021

Adakveo, a drug based on the discoveries of OMRF VP of Research Rodger McEver, is relieving pain for Danielle Jamison and others with sickle cell around the world.

In Her Blood
December 30, 2020

Danielle Jamison lived her entire life with the crippling of sickle cell disease, until a groundbreaking drug born at OMRF brought her relief.

National science association elects OMRF’s McEver as a fellow
December 10, 2020

Dr. Rod McEver was elected as an AAAS Fellow for his research in cardiovascular biology and hematology.

Half A Century Later: Oklahoma Teen Beats Leukemia Following Experimental Trial
October 9, 2020

An Oklahoma teenager battling cancer was given just weeks to live – that was more than 50 years ago.

A Sickle Cell Milestone
December 17, 2019

New drug with OMRF roots reduces pain in sickle cell disease.

OMRF accepting 2020 Fleming Scholar applications
November 25, 2019

The application deadline is Feb. 1.

FDA approves new sickle cell drug with Oklahoma roots
November 18, 2019

Adakveo significantly reduces pain crises in sickle cell patients.

OMRF makes potential heart failure breakthrough
April 18, 2019

Scientists at OMRF have made new findings that could pave the way for the first drug to treat aortic stenosis.

New hope in the fight against sickle cell disease
June 14, 2018

For Mary Long, the answer to her pain may, literally, be right around the corner.

OMRF announces 2018 Fleming Scholar class
April 10, 2018

OMRF has selected 13 Oklahoma high school and college students as Sir Alexander Fleming Scholars for 2018.

Fleming scholar application deadline fast approaching
January 3, 2018

The deadline for the annual summer program is Feb.1.

OMRF accepting 2018 Fleming Scholar applications
November 21, 2017

The deadline for the eight-week summer program is Feb. 1.

Oklahoma science students wrap up summer program at OMRF
July 31, 2017

Eight weeks of research just wrapped up for 14 gifted young scientists.

OMRF receives new grants to study blood clotting, ovarian cancer
June 21, 2017

The National Institutes of Health grants total nearly $2.1 million.

McElmurry Trust crosses $1 million mark at OMRF
April 26, 2017

Earlier this month, trustee C.B. Graft visited OMRF to present a check for $105,000.

OMRF announces 2017 Fleming Scholar class
March 29, 2017

OMRF has selected 13 area high school and college students as Fleming Scholars.

Fleming scholar application deadline nears
January 5, 2017

The final day for applications is Feb. 1.

OMRF announces new scientific leaders
November 11, 2016

Rodger McEver and Lijun Xia will be taking on new positions in early 2017.

OMRF accepting 2017 Fleming Scholar applications
October 19, 2016

Want to be a 2017 Fleming Scholar? Apply now.

$6.5 million grant will benefit cardiovascular research at OMRF
August 17, 2016

OMRF has received a 5-year NIH grant to continue heart and blood research.

Local students complete summer Fleming scholar program at OMRF
August 1, 2016

For 13 local students, Friday marked the end of 8 weeks of research at OMRF.

OMRF celebrates 60 years of its Fleming Scholar Program
July 13, 2016

More than 120 people came from across the country to celebrate the program.

OMRF welcomes 2016 Fleming Scholars
June 7, 2016

OMRF welcomes 13 of the top science students from the state.

Trio of new grants brings $2.7 million to OMRF labs
May 6, 2016

Awards “a testament to the quality of research in Oklahoma”

OMRF researchers find that a biological “good guy” has a dark side
May 3, 2016

Enzyme thought harmless may be more dangerous than first believed

OMRF names its 2016 class of Fleming Scholars
March 18, 2016

Twelve students from across the state have been selected for the 61st class.

OMRF accepting applications for 2016 Fleming Scholar Program
October 15, 2015

Are you ready for a summer full of science?

Discovery of new cell function yields new clues about inflammation process
August 27, 2015

OMRF scientist’s discovery could help prevent white blood cell-induced injury.

Fleming, Presidential Scholars finish eight-week program
July 27, 2015

For these 12, program offered far more than the average summer job.

OMRF announces 12 Fleming Scholars for 2015
March 13, 2015

OMRF continues annual tradition with renowned program.

OMRF scientist honored by American Heart Association
February 25, 2015

OMRF scientist Hong Chen recognized for research accomplishments.

New OMRF findings yield answers for bolstering immune response
January 19, 2015

Studies yield new clues related to blood vessel function and inflammation.

Deadline nearing for OMRF summer internship applications
December 18, 2014

Fleming Scholar Program applications are due Feb. 2. Apply now!

Grant renewals bring $14.2 million to OMRF programs
September 15, 2014

Awards will fund research in cancer, heart disease, lupus and other areas

OMRF names 12 Oklahoma students as 2014 Fleming Scholars
March 12, 2014

Scholars will spend 8 weeks working in OMRF labs with senior-level scientists.

Who put the heart in Valentine’s Day?
February 12, 2014

How did a blood-pumping organ come to symbolize romance and affection?

Applications for 2014 Fleming Scholar Program due Feb. 1
January 15, 2014

Paid summer internship offers 8-week hands-on laboratory experience

OMRF offering summer science internships for 2014
November 21, 2013

Looking for a whole summer of real research experience? Check this out!

Scientists discover novel functions of platelets
September 3, 2013

Researchers found the answer to a long-standing medical mystery in platelets.

College students completing summer of research at OMRF
July 16, 2013

For OMRF scholars, lab experience presents challenges, opens doors

Fleming Scholar Program application deadline nearing
January 18, 2013

Summer program has trained more than 500 Oklahoma science students

OMRF accepting 2013 summer science program applications
November 6, 2012

Fleming program gives budding scientists a close-up look at research

OMRF welcomes 57th class of Fleming Scholars
June 4, 2012

A summer of discovery begins for 11 outstanding science students

National organization honors Oklahoma scientists
April 16, 2012

The group focuses on supporting the next generation of clinical investigators

OMRF names 11 state students as Fleming Scholars
April 11, 2012

Scholars will spend eight weeks working in OMRF labs over the summer

Time’s running out to apply for OMRF summer program
January 5, 2012

Applications for the 2012 Fleming Scholar Program are due Feb. 1

OMRF welcomes new board member, honors others
December 15, 2011

Scientific Advisory Board report highlights semiannual directors’ meeting

OMRF seeks 2012 summer science program applicants
November 28, 2011

Program offers top science students eight weeks of hands-on lab experience

OMRF names 15 state students as Fleming Scholars
March 21, 2011

Students will spend eight weeks working in OMRF labs this summer

Researchers turn years of heart science on its ear
January 3, 2011

McEver finds new information about a protein vital to the immune response

OMRF discovery could lead to better treatment for leukemia, lupus
May 24, 2010

Mechanism allows cells to fight disease-causing microorganisms

11 state students earn OMRF summer scholarships
April 6, 2010

Group to spend summer in OMRF laboratories

OMRF announces partnership with Chinese research institute
February 16, 2010

Relationship pools resources to speed discovery

OMRF scholarship application deadline nears
December 28, 2009

Fleming Scholar applications due by Feb. 1

OMRF accepting summer scholar applications
November 30, 2009

Science education program enters 53rd year

How I spent my summer vacation: Budding researchers forgo summer break for scientific discovery
July 7, 2009

For many students, summer marks a time for rest and relaxation. For sailboats and sunscreen, beachcombing and barbecues. But don’t tell that to a dozen of Oklahoma’s top high school and college science students. As Sir Alexander Fleming Scholars at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, they’ve opted to trade swimsuits for lab coats so they […]

OMRF honors scientists, adds board member
May 20, 2009

OMRF honored three scientists and added a new board member at its annual spring board meeting and honors celebration Tuesday. Researcher John Harley, M.D., Ph.D., was awarded the Edward L. and Thelma Gaylord Prize for Scientific Achievement. OMRF named Rodger McEver, M.D., as the Alvin Chang Chair in Cardiovascular Biology and Lijun Xia, M.D, Ph.D., […]

OMRF names 12 state students as Fleming Scholars
May 12, 2009

OMRF has named 12 Oklahoma high school and college students as Sir Alexander Fleming Scholars for 2009. The students, chosen from a statewide pool of applicants, will comprise the 54th class of Fleming Scholars at OMRF. This year’s class will spend June and July working in laboratories with senior-level OMRF scientists on ongoing research projects. […]

Harley named to the Association of American Physicians
March 5, 2009

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist John Harley, M.D., Ph.D., has been selected as a member of the Association of American Physicians. Harley, who chairs OMRF’s Arthritis and Immunology Research Program, was one of only 60 physicians nationwide chosen for membership this year. The 124-year-old Association selects members based on excellence in the pursuit of medical […]

A Vicious Cycle New OMRF research sheds light on epileptic seizures
November 24, 2008

When an epileptic seizure strikes, it’s almost always frightening: violent, involuntary muscle contractions, often accompanied by a loss of consciousness. Epilepsy affects more than 3 million Americans, including an estimated 100,000 Oklahomans. In most cases, the cause is not known. But a study from the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation casts new light on how injuries […]

OMRF seeking scholarship applicants
November 17, 2008

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2009 Sir Alexander Fleming Scholar Program. The application deadline is Feb. 1. High school seniors, as well as college freshmen, sophomores and juniors, are eligible to apply for the scholarships. Students selected as Fleming Scholars will work side-by-side in a laboratory with a senior-level […]

OMRF to honor pair, welcome new directors
May 1, 2008

At its annual honors and awards banquet this evening, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation will honor researcher Rodger McEver, M.D., with its highest scientific prize and board member Burns Hargis with its Board of Directors Distinguished Service Award. At the dinner, which will be held at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, OMRF will […]

OMRF names 2008 Sir Alexander Fleming Scholars
April 21, 2008

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation has named nine Oklahoma science students as Sir Alexander Fleming Scholars for 2008.  Nearly 100 applicants from high schools and colleges throughout Oklahoma competed for the prestigious program, which has launched the careers of physicians and researchers for more than a half-century. Since 1956, the Fleming Scholar Program has provided […]

OMRF accepting summer scholarship applications
October 25, 2007

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation is accepting applications for its 2008 Sir Alexander Fleming summer scholarship program. The program lets students enhance their research skills by working alongside world-class scientists for eight weeks in OMRF’s state-of-the art laboratories. The application deadline is February 1. “The Fleming scholar program provides a phenomenal experience to young people […]

OMRF names 52nd class of Fleming Scholars
April 17, 2007

Their peers may spend much of June, July and August sleeping late and lounging by the pool, But for a dozen of Oklahoma’s most talented high school and college science students, summer will mean donning lab coats and safety goggles in laboratories at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. OMRF today announced its 2007 class of […]

Fiftieth class of Fleming Scholars begins at OMRF
June 8, 2005

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation has welcomed its 50th class of Sir Alexander Fleming Scholars. The class, 13 in all, represent some of Oklahoma’s most talented high school and college science students. The eight high-schoolers and five collegians were selected from more than 100 applicants. the students, all of whom are contemplating careers in medical […]

OMRF Announces Promotions
December 17, 2004

OKLAHOMA CITY, December 17, 2004 – The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation has named Rodger McEver, M.D., as Vice President of Research and Tim Hassen as Chief Financial Officer. Dr. Rodger McEver McEver holds a B.A. from Yale University and earned his medical degree at the University of Chicago.  He joined OMRF’s scientific staff in 1987 and […]

Eli Lilly and Company endows two chairs at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation with $6 million gift
April 6, 2004

Research at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) will receive a major boost with a $6 million gift from Eli Lilly and Company.  OMRF will use the gift from the Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical company to create a pair of endowed faculty chairs – the Eli Lilly Chairs in Biomedical Research. For more than two decades, Lilly […]

OMRF Receives $10 Million Grant
September 30, 2003

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation announced today that it has received a $10 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. “This is yet another important step in the emergence of Oklahoma as a center of biomedical excellence,” said OMRF President Dr. J. Donald Capra. “Five years ago, this state had never seen a $10 […]

Science Lectures at OMRF To Focus on Heart Disease, Lupus, and Germs
July 27, 1999

“From Bench to Bedside: Biomedicine at the New Millennium,” a series of free public lectures presented by scientists at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, is scheduled to begin October 7 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City. OMRF’s nationally and internationally recognized biomedical researchers will explain in easily understood terms the latest research being done […]

Hope in the Fight Against Sickle Cell
December 19, 2017

For Mary Long, the answer to her pain may, literally, be right around the CORNER. Her grandmother would hum as she rubbed Mary Long’s limbs with liniment. “You’re just a puny child,” she would say, shaking her head. The rubdowns soothed the youngster, but they didn’t erase the aches that seemed ever present in her […]

Dr. McEver in the Media

Sickle cell treatment cleared for use derived from OKC researcher's discoveries
Oklahoman.com

Drug based on OMRF research approved
JournalRecord.com

FDA approves Oklahoma researcher's new treatment for sickle cell disease
KOCO.com

Sickle cell drug with Oklahoma roots receives FDA approval
PRNewswire.com

Drug to fight sickle cell may soon be approved
NewsOk.com

Team hopes to make OKC pharmaceutical hub
NewsOk.com

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