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At its semiannual meeting on Thursday, OMRF named The Honorable Terence Kern to its board of directors, honored long-time director David Rainbolt and named Judith James, M.D., Ph.D. its first Vice President of Clinical Affairs. Judge Kern, of Tulsa, is a Senior Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma. A native of Clinton, Okla., Judge Kern graduated from Oklahoma State University and subsequently from the University of Oklahoma School of Law. A former Army reserve member and attorney at the Federal Trade Commission, he practiced as an attorney in Ardmore for 24 years before being named to the federal bench in 1994. He served as Chief Judge of the Northern District for seven years and took senior status in 2010. Last month, he was inducted into the OSU Hall of Fame. Rainbolt was presented with the OMRF Board of Directors Distinguished Service Award. Rainbolt, who is Chief Executive Officer of Bancfirst, joined OMRF’s board in 1994 and has served in numerous leadership roles during his 23-year tenure as an OMRF director. “David Rainbolt has been an ardent supporter of OMRF and our mission for many years,” said Prescott. “He has been actively engaged in all aspects of board service and has provided wise counsel and leadership that have proved invaluable to the foundation.” Also at the meeting, the foundation named Judith James, M.D., Ph.D., a physician-scientist, as Vice President of Clinical Affairs. In that role, she will oversee all clinical activities at the foundation, which treats and conducts clinical research projects involving thousands of patients suffering from lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. A native of Pond Creek, Okla., James earned her M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and joined OMRF’s scientific staff in 1994. An internationally acclaimed researcher, she is best known for her work in the prediction and prevention of the autoimmune disease lupus. Her research has resulted in OMRF being named a National Institutes of Health Autoimmunity Center of Excellence, one of only 10 nationwide. She is chair of OMRF’s Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program and holds the Lou C. Kerr Endowed Chair in Biomedical Research. “Dr. James is regarded by her peers worldwide as a pioneer in autoimmune disease prediction and treatment,” said Prescott. “She has helped expand OMRF’s clinical capabilities and assembled a stellar team of physicians dedicated to tackling some of the most puzzling and difficult-to-treat diseases. In her new role as Vice President of Clinical Affairs, she will continue to build synergy between the clinic and the research lab, which ultimately will benefit patients.” Two other OMRF researchers received special recognition at the meeting:
Finally, OMRF presented the Edward L. and Thelma Gaylord Prize for Scientific Achievement to Holly Van Remmen, Ph.D. The award is OMRF’s highest scientific prize, and it went to Van Remmen for her research on neurodegeneration and muscle loss in aging. The award is named for the late Edward L. Gaylord, who served on OMRF’s board for 30 years, and his wife, Thelma. The Gaylords’ daughter, Christy Everest, currently serves on the foundation’s board. Van Remmen earned her Ph.D. from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, where she was a faculty member until joining OMRF in 2013. At OMRF, she leads the Aging & Metabolism Research Program and holds the G.T. Blankenship Chair in Aging Research. “Dr. Van Remmen is a tremendously hard worker and has a gift for fostering collaboration,” said Arlan Richardson, Ph.D., Van Remmen’s former mentor and now a professor at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. “She has grown into a noted leader in aging research.” |
Blood test identifies people at high risk for lupus
New research from OMRF will help physicians better identify blood relatives of lupus patients at risk for developing the disease.
Lupus is caused by the immune system becoming unbalanced, leading to the development of autoantibodies and chronic inflammation that can damage the body’s tissues and organs. The disease predominantly strikes women and healthy relatives of lupus patients have an increased risk of developing the autoimmune disease compared to the general population.
In their recently published paper, OMRF scientists Judith James, M.D., Ph.D., and Melissa Munroe, M.D., Ph.D., evaluated previously unaffected relatives of lupus patients. Of the 409 lupus relatives who agreed to participate in the follow-up study, on average 6.5 years from their last evaluation for lupus, they found that 11 percent—45 people—had since developed lupus.
“We have been very curious about why some family members go on to become lupus patients themselves while others stay healthy,” said James. “We know that family members have some shared genetic risk, but we want to identify who is the most at-risk.”
James and Munroe found that higher levels of specific inflammatory proteins in the blood predicted which subjects would develop the disease. On the other hand, family members who did not develop lupus had higher-functioning regulatory mechanisms in place that may have been protective.
“Although many relatives transitioned into lupus patients, we had far more, 89 percent, who stayed healthy,” said Munroe. “This research focused on trying to find blood markers that identify people, even seven years beforehand, who are going to become lupus patients.”
Based on the results of this study, which were published in the scientific journal Arthritis & Rheumatology, James and Munroe recommend that physicians test the relatives of lupus patients for the specific inflammatory proteins in their blood. For those who display higher levels of the proteins, they suggest referring them to a rheumatologist for a consultation and possible enrollment in clinical trials focused on preventing disease onset.
James and Munroe will be partnering with other lupus researchers to launch one such prevention trial at OMRF. Known as SMILE, the clinical trial will seek to identify individuals found to be at high-risk for lupus and treat them with an anti-inflammatory medication. The goal of the upcoming prevention trial is to delay the onset of lupus, lessen the symptoms of the disease, or potentially prevent it altogether.
“This kind of work is really expansive and new,” said James. “It gives us hope that we can better identify early markers for the development of lupus, but maybe even more importantly, that we can learn from the immune systems of family members who don’t get sick. This might tell us how we could retrain the immune system to keep people healthy.”
A native of Pond Creek, Okla., James earned her M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and joined OMRF’s scientific staff in 1994. A pioneer in the field of autoimmune disease prediction and holder of the Lou C. Kerr Chair in Biomedical Research at OMRF, her work has advanced scientists’ understanding of lupus and helped physicians delay disease onset in patients displaying early symptoms of lupus.
Munroe joined OMRF in 2010 from the University of Iowa. Her research focuses on developing and testing novel strategies for monitoring autoimmune diseases with the goal of mitigating or preventing further organ damage caused by these diseases.
Other OMRF staff members who contributed to this project were Joel Guthridge, Ph.D., Virginia Roberts, Tiny Powe, Tim Gross, Wade DeJager, Rebecka Bourn, Ph.D., and Angela Andersen, Ph.D.
The study was supported by the National Institute of Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases (grant numbers U01AI101934, R01AI024717, U19AI082714), the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (grants U54GM104938, P30GM103510), and the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (grants P30AR053483, RC1AR058554, and U34AR067392). All of these are parts of the National Institutes of Health.
OMRF announces 2017 Fleming Scholar class
OMRF has selected 13 Oklahoma high school and college students as Sir Alexander Fleming Scholars for 2017.
The students for OMRF’s 62nd class of Fleming Scholars were selected following a competitive statewide application and interview process. Those selected as scholars will spend eight weeks working side-by-side with OMRF scientists on specific research projects covering subjects such as autoimmune disease, cancer and cardiovascular disease.
At the program’s conclusion, the scholars will author scientific papers and deliver presentations to OMRF’s scientific staff.
“This unique program brings a sense of excitement to our labs every summer, reinvigorating our staff while also providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these bright students to get hands-on experience in a lab setting,” said OMRF Fleming Scholar Program coordinator Heather Hebert. “The experience allows students to see if a career in science or medicine is in their future, while also providing them with invaluable skills they can use in any career path.”
Since it launched in 1956, the Fleming Scholar Program has provided nearly 600 Oklahoma students with a first-hand look at careers in research and medicine. The program is named in honor of famed British scientist Sir Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin and came to Oklahoma City in 1949 to dedicate OMRF’s first building.
Two OMRF senior scientists, Judith James, M.D., Ph.D., and Rodger McEver, M.D., started their research careers as Fleming Scholars. James is the Program Chair OMRF’s Arthritis & Clinical Immunology Program, the foundation’s largest program, and McEver is the foundation’s Vice President of Research.
The 2017 Fleming Scholars, their hometowns and current schools, are:
Abigail Ballard, Norman, Austin College
Monica Davis, Jones, Northern Oklahoma College
Madeline Gish, Edmond, Hillsdale College
Kari Hall, Edmond, University of Oklahoma
Keirah Jefferson, Moore, Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics
Kristy Johnson, Blanchard, Oklahoma State University
Jarett Lewis, Edmond, Bishop McGuiness High School
James Li, Edmond, Washington University in St. Louis
Han Li, Oklahoma City, Westmoore High School
Joshua Ross, Pryor, Oklahoma State University
William Towler, Edmond, Oklahoma State University
Henry Unterschuetz, Tulsa, University of Oklahoma
Kobby Wiafe, Bethany, Baylor University
For more information on the Fleming Scholar Program, visit www.omrf.org/fleming.
Fleming scholar application deadline nears
Time is running out to apply for OMRF’s 2017 Sir Alexander Fleming Scholar Program. The final day for applications is Feb. 1.
High school seniors, as well as college freshmen, sophomores and juniors, are eligible to apply for the program. Applicants must be Oklahoma residents at the time of high school graduation and at least 16 years old to qualify. Students selected as Fleming Scholars are paid and, if eligible, also receive free housing.
This eight-week experience features laboratory training under the guidance of internationally recognized scientists and physicians, as well as lectures. Students will also have the opportunity to use sophisticated equipment and work with the latest technologies available. They will complete individual research projects on topics such as cancer, heart disease and autoimmune diseases.
The program is named for Nobel prize-winning scientist Sir Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin and also dedicated OMRF’s first building in 1949.
Since the program’s inception in 1956, more than 500 Oklahoma students have spent their summers at OMRF. Two current OMRF scientists, Rodger McEver, M.D., and Judith James, M.D., Ph.D., began their research careers in the program.
“This program provides an in-depth, hands-on look at research and has helped plant the seeds for many successful careers in science, medicine and beyond,” said OMRF President Stephen Prescott, M.D. “It’s truly a unique experience and a rare opportunity at this stage in a student’s academic journey.”
For additional information or to apply, visit www.omrf.org/fleming.
OMRF biorepository receives national accreditation
The College of American Pathologists (CAP) has awarded accreditation to the biorepository at OMRF. OMRF’s biorepository is one of fewer than 50 such facilities to receive this distinction.
OMRF’s biorepository houses more than 1 million biological samples gathered from research subjects over the past three decades. The facility has 2,500 cubic feet of minus-80 Celsius (minus 112 degrees Fahrenheit) and 7,000 cubic feet of minus 20 Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit), making it one of the largest of its kind in the U.S. OMRF collects and stores samples from patients suffering from conditions including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, sarcoidosis and multiple sclerosis, among others.
“Patient and control samples are the critical foundation for all of our clinical research. The OMRF Biorepository serves as the sample processing, management and storage resource for many clinical studies, as well as for NIH and industry sponsored trials,” said OMRF Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program Chair Judith James, M.D., Ph.D. “We want to make sure the samples are processed appropriately and are all of the highest possible quality so they are ready to generate important data.”
Joel Guthridge, Ph.D., who serves as the scientific director for the biorepository, said this accreditation serves as a testament to the diligent work OMRF has done to expand and develop the infrastructure of the facility, consolidating the data and samples across multiple research programs.
“This certification shows that we’ve been independently assessed and validated for all of our processes,” said Guthridge, Director of Translational Informatics and Core Resources at OMRF. “It gives assurance to our investigators about the high quality of work we do, the systems we have in place to ensure data reproducibility, and the rigor in our processes. This has become important for any sort of federally funded research, clinical trials and so forth.”
Guthridge said this accreditation also provides peace of mind to the patients who donate samples that are stored in the facility. “It ensures that OMRF uses those samples as they are intended, maintains the integrity of the samples and values patient privacy,” he said.
The U.S. federal government recognizes the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960s, as equal to or more stringent than the government’s own inspection program.
During the CAP accreditation process, inspectors conduct an onsite inspection and examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program and record, and overall management.
OMRF’s Judith James named to national research advisory council
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) has announced the appointment of OMRF scientist Judith James, M.D., Ph.D., to its Advisory Council.
NIAMS, a part of the National Institutes of Health, supports research related to the causes, treatment and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases. This includes the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out research, as well as disseminating information of research progress on these diseases, according to the institute’s mission statement. In 2015, NIAMS awarded nearly $100 million in grants to researchers at institutions around the country.
The Advisory Council is comprised of individuals who have expertise in the institute’s mission areas, are qualified to provide advice on policy issues and make recommendations on research proposals, among other responsibilities.
“I am honored by this appointment and am very excited to be selected to serve on this committee,” said James, who is the program chair of OMRF’s Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program. “I have been very fortunate that NIAMS has been committed to my career since the very beginning. I received a Presidential Early Career Award and NIAMS is who nominated me. That was kind of the beginning of my research career, and they have supported and funded me since then.”
James has served NIAMS in several capacities over the years, including serving on its Board of Scientific Counselors for four years and spending the past two as the chair of the board.
In her Council position, James will travel to Washington, D.C., throughout the year to meet with the director of the institute and its senior leadership to aid in reviewing requests for applications and evaluating new programs they will be supporting.
James will also help by serving as a second level of review for grants that will be funded by the institute, she said, ensuring scientists are asking important clinical and research questions and being good stewards of the money the federal government is giving to the institute. She will also help to communicate new areas or research, address unmet needs in the community, and help the institute plan for its future.
“This is essentially the senior advisory committee to the entire institute,” said James, who holds the Lou C. Kerr Endowed Chair in Medical Research at OMRF. “OMRF has a strong interest in rheumatic diseases, and NIAMS is committed to understanding and improving the care for patients with these diseases.”
A native of Pond Creek, Okla., James earned her M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Oklahoman Health Sciences Center and joined OMRF’s scientific staff in 1994. She specializes in lupus and other autoimmune diseases, conditions in which the body turns its immune system against itself. She’s considered a pioneer in the field of autoimmune disease prediction, where her work has helped physicians delay disease onset in patients displaying early symptoms of lupus.
“We are incredibly proud of Dr. James, and this appointment confirms what we already know: She is the best of the best,” said OMRF Vice President of Research Paul Kincade, Ph.D. “The people on these councils are selected for their excellence and impartiality, which goes hand-in-hand with her reputation. Her judgment as a scientist is remarkable. It’s a huge responsibility as well as a great honor.”
OMRF accepting 2017 Fleming Scholar applications
Do you know a high school senior or college student who would rather wear goggles in a lab than in a pool? Then a summer of science may be right up their alley.
The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation is accepting applications for its 2017 Sir Alexander Fleming Scholar Program. The application deadline is Feb. 1.
The annual summer program allows the top science students in the state to enhance their research skills by gaining hands-on experience in a lab setting alongside world-class scientists for eight weeks.
High school seniors, as well as college freshmen, sophomores and juniors, are eligible to apply. Students must be 16 or older to qualify. Students must be Oklahoma residents at the time of high school graduation to be eligible. Once selected, Fleming Scholars are paid and may be eligible for housing.
The application process is completed online at www.omrf.org/fleming and includes submission of a long-form essay, letters of recommendation and academic transcripts.
“This program is rare in the type of opportunity it presents students at this stage in their education,” said OMRF Human Resources Specialist Heather Hebert, who coordinates the summer program. “This is a chance to experience research in way a classroom can’t emulate. It’s a unique experience that has served as a launching pad for many successful careers in biomedical research and healthcare.”
The program is named for Nobel Prize-winning scientist Sir Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin and also dedicated OMRF’s first building in 1949.
Since the inception of the program in 1956, more than 500 Oklahoma students have had the opportunity to work in state-of-the-art labs at OMRF. Two current OMRF program chairs, Rodger McEver, M.D., and Judith James, M.D., Ph.D., started their research careers as Fleming Scholars.
Scientists seek rheumatoid arthritis study participants
OMRF is seeking volunteers who are concerned about developing rheumatoid arthritis to participate in StopRA, a prevention study for the disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic illness mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining of the joints. The symptoms include pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints and ultimately the disease can result in loss of function and disability. More than 1.3 million adults in the U.S. have rheumatoid arthritis, according to the American College of Rheumatology.
“We aren’t exactly sure how rheumatoid arthritis develops, but we know that the pain and disability of it can be greatly improved if the disease is found and treated early,” said Judith James, M.D., Ph.D., the local study principal investigator and chair of OMRF’s Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program. “Studies show that some people who are at risk can be identified through testing for an autoantibody called ‘anti-CCP.’”
Autoantibodies are proteins that the body mistakenly unleashes against its own tissue, resulting in inflammation and swelling, key components of RA.
“One of our goals is to identify these blood factors that seem to lead to development of RA,” James said.
Volunteers should be at least 18 years of age and healthy with no prior RA diagnosis. They also must be willing to have free blood testing completed at OMRF to screen for elevated levels of anti-CCP.
If you are interested in participating or would like more information about the study, please call (405) 271-7221.
Local students complete summer Fleming scholar program at OMRF
For most students, summer is more about beach towels and video games than beakers and microscopes, but for 13 Oklahoma high school and college students, this summer wasn’t like most.
For these gifted students, Friday marked the completion of eight weeks of research at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation as Sir Alexander Fleming scholars. Of those selected for the prestigious program, nine hailed from the Oklahoma City metro area.
“This has been a great opportunity to work with amazing scientists who have taught me more than I could have imagined,” said Caroline Say, a graduate of Casady School and now a junior at the University of Wisconsin. “This program helps give young scientists an incredible and vital head start in an extremely competitive field. These few short weeks will stay with me forever.”
As summer scholars, the students took part in hands-on, individual research projects under the direction of senior-level OMRF scientists. These in-depth projects covered a wide range from studying autoimmune diseases like lupus and Sjögren’s syndrome, to learning about the role of proteins in cell division, investigating the connections between obesity and osteoarthritis, and working with mitochondria to understand how muscle mass decreases with age.
In addition to working in the lab, Fleming Scholars attended lectures by OMRF scientists to learn about diverse research projects and science-related career options. They attended social events and spent time as a group outside the lab. At the end of the summer, scholars made formal presentations outlining their individual research results to OMRF’s scientific staff.
Emily Wilkie, a recent Classen School of Advanced Studies graduate who will attend Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., said this program has helped to solidify her goals moving forward.
“My experience has proven that I am definitely fascinated by medical research, and I do plan to pursue my undergraduate research in college,” she said. “I plan to major in biology. From there, I know anything can happen.”
Lindsey Purcell, a junior biochemistry and molecular biology major at Oklahoma State University, echoed many of the same sentiments about her experience.
“This is a good stepping stone into learning what research looks like, so learning techniques will help make me more comfortable and more experienced,” said Purcell, a Putnam City North graduate. “OMRF has solidified my desire to be involved in medicine. Before this program, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my degree.”
OMRF’s Fleming Scholar Program has served as a launching pad for hundreds of Oklahoma students seeking science-based careers. Since 1956, scores of Fleming Scholars have gone on to establish successful medical and research careers, including two OMRF program chairs, Rodger McEver, M.D., and Judith James, M.D., Ph.D., who got their start in the eight-week summer program.
For more information on the Fleming Scholar Program, visit www.omrf.org/fleming.
2016 Fleming Scholars
Nicole Biddinger, Bartlesville, Purdue University
Andrew Blattler, Oklahoma City, Mount St. Mary
Zane Dennis, Tulsa, Baylor University
Michael Harmon, Enid, Chisholm High School
Uday Kohli, Edmond, University of Oklahoma
Joey Maher, Yukon, Harding Charter Preparatory High School
Evan McKinnis, Oklahoma City, Classen School of Advanced Studies
Lindsey Purcell, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University
Annelise Poss, Tulsa, Oklahoma State University
Caroline Say, Oklahoma City, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Dat Truong, Oklahoma City, University of Oklahoma
Emily Wilkie, Oklahoma City, Classen School of Advanced Studies
Ariel Thorson, Oklahoma City, Bethany High School
OMRF welcomes 2016 Fleming Scholars
This week, OMRF welcomed its 61st class of Sir Alexander Fleming Scholars. The students, all graduates of Oklahoma high schools, were chosen from a pool of statewide applicants and will spend their summers working in OMRF laboratories with senior medical researchers on in-depth, individual research projects.
At the end of the summer, the students will write scientific papers and present their research results in formal seminars for OMRF’s scientific staff.
The program is named for Sir Alexander Fleming, the famed Nobel Prize-winning scientist who discovered penicillin and in 1949 dedicated OMRF’s first building. The program bearing his name was founded in 1956 to provide Oklahoma’s brightest high school and college students with hands-on experience in the lab.
“A summer at OMRF provides an experience unlike anything these students have had before,” said OMRF Fleming Scholar program coordinator Carlisa Curry. “This program provides a unique opportunity to work alongside some of the most respected scientists in their fields in the world, and it can kick-start their educational journey. They also infuse our labs with curiosity and a passion for knowledge that emanates energy throughout the foundation. It’s a truly special experience for all involved.”
Since the program began, more than 500 Oklahoma students have had their first taste of hands-on research under the guidance of OMRF scientists. Many have gone on to careers in medicine and research, including OMRF program heads Rodger McEver, M.D., and Judith James, M.D., Ph.D.
“Many of these students are already interested in careers in the laboratory, and this program provides a close-up look at what that’s really like,” said Curry. “This experience can tell them early on if they enjoy it and have an aptitude for it. It really helps send them down a path to future success.”
The 2016 Fleming Scholars are:
Nicole Biddinger, Bartlesville, Purdue University
Andrew Blattler, Oklahoma City, Mount St. Mary
Zane Dennis, Tulsa, Baylor University
Michael Harmon, Enid, Chisholm High School
Uday Kohli, Edmond, University of Oklahoma
Joey Maher, Yukon, Harding Charter Preparatory High School
Evan McKinnis, Oklahoma City, Classen School of Advanced Studies
Lindsey Purcell, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University
Annelise Poss, Tulsa, Oklahoma State University
Caroline Say, Oklahoma City, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Dat Truong, Oklahoma City, University of Oklahoma
Emily Wilkie, Oklahoma City, Classen School of Advanced Studies
Ariel Thorson, Oklahoma City, Bethany High School
For more information on the Fleming Scholar Program, visit omrf.org/fleming.
