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January 22, 2019
New podcast: Allan Jacobson helps make sense out of nonsense mutations in genes
Allan Jacobson, PhD, studies the post-transcriptional control of gene expression, focusing on the consequences and corrections of “nonsense mutations”—errors in the genetic code that serve as periods in a genetic sentence. He explains his research in a new Voices of UMassMed podcast.
Full story »January 14, 2019Providence’s WJAR-TV/NBC 10 features UMass Medical School’s opioid safe-prescribing curriculum
A new report from WJAR-TV/NBC 10 of Providence highlights UMass Medical School’s Opioid Safe-prescribing Training Immersion program, which was recognized by the Association of American Medical Colleges last year with its Curricular Innovation Award.
Full story »January 14, 2019Photography exhibit ‘The Colors of Nature: Flora and Fauna’ features work of Bruce Simon
The newest installment of the Artist in Residence series, The Colors of Nature: Flora and Fauna, features the photography of Bruce Simon, MD, associate professor of surgery.
Full story »January 09, 2019UMMS study finds some women may be missing out on benefits of menopausal hormone therapy
A new study by Sybil Crawford, PhD, finds that younger women with menopausal symptoms may have foregone hormone therapy for relief as a result of the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative recommendations, despite new research showing favorable benefits versus risks for their age group.
Full story »January 08, 2019New study shows homeless women more likely to face pregnancy complications
A new study in the January issue of Health Affairs by Robin Clark, PhD, shows women who were homeless during their pregnancies had significantly higher rates of health complications, such as hypertension, anemia, hemorrhage and early labor, compared with those who were not homeless.
Full story »January 07, 2019New podcast: Barbara Olendzki on gut health and chronic pain
Barbara Olendzki, RD, MPH, studies how a novel diet can ease symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. She explains her research in a new Voices of UMassMed podcast.
Full story »January 03, 2019UMMS celebrates Grifols’ launch of Ebola biotherapeutic
UMass Medical School Chancellor Michael F. Collins joined Grifols executives and a delegation from the Liberian Ministry of Health and the Liberian Embassy to celebrate the company’s launch of production of a plasma-derived Ebola biotherapeutic.
Full story »December 26, 2018Top story: UMass Medical School ranked among nation’s finest for primary care
The annual U.S. News & World Report rankings of the best graduate schools names UMass Medical School in the top 10 percent nationwide in primary care, coming in 14th among 144 medical schools and 33 schools of osteopathic medicine surveyed by the weekly news magazine in its 2019 edition of the “Best Graduate Schools.”
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December 26, 2018
Top story: UMass Medical School scientists safely deliver RNAi-based gene therapy for ALS in animal model
A gene therapy delivered to motor neurons was able to silence SOD1 protein, mutations of which are linked to ALS, without causing any adverse effects, according to a new study published in Science Translational Medicine, by Christian Mueller, PhD, and Robert H. Brown Jr., DPhil, MD.
Full story »December 26, 2018Top story: UMass Medical School researchers explain why cannabis may relieve intestinal inflammation
Beth McCormick, PhD, led a study that has for the first time identified a biological mechanism to explain why some marijuana users have reported beneficial effects from cannabis on conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Full story »December 26, 2018Top story: John Harris lab identifies new pathway to reverse vitiligo
John E. Harris, MD, PhD, and colleagues have made a promising discovery that could lead to therapies for vitiligo with longer-lasting effects, according to new research published in Science Translational Medicine on July 18.
Full story »December 18, 2018Jennifer Tjia elected fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
UMass Medical School geriatrics expert Jennifer Tjia, MD, MSCE, has been named a fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine in recognition of her dedication to and scholarship in the field.
Full story »December 17, 2018Massachusetts soldier killed in action is son-in-law of Barry Feldman
A United States Army Special Forces soldier from Massachusetts who died in Afghanistan last month has been identified as the son-in-law of Barry Feldman, PhD.
Full story »December 14, 2018Physician-scientist Jane Freedman focuses on improving cardiovascular health
The single-minded goal of cardiologist and scientist Jane Freedman, MD, is to seek insights that will help heal patients with heart disease. Learn about her research and career in the latest Women in Science video.
Full story »December 14, 2018Worcester District Medical Society honors two longtime UMMS faculty
Daniel Lasser, MD, received the 2018 Distinguished Career Award and Erik Garcia, MD, was recognized with this year’s A. Jane Fitzpatrick Community Service Award from the Worcester District Medical Society.
Full story »December 13, 2018Winter Ball reaches $2 million goal on 10th anniversary
The Winter Ball, the premier fundraising gala supporting the mission of the academic health sciences center formed by UMass Memorial Medical Center and UMass Medical School, reached its $2 million goal this year.
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December 13, 2018
UMMS licenses clinical-stage gene therapies for Tay-Sachs, similar diseases to Axovant
Axovant Sciences, a Swiss company developing gene therapies for neurological diseases, has licensed exclusive worldwide rights for the development and commercialization of two novel gene therapy programs for Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases from UMass Medical School.
Full story »December 12, 2018UMMS researchers receive funding from Gilbert Family Foundation to develop NF1 therapeutic
The Gilbert Family Foundation has announced that UMass Medical School will receive funding from a $12 million gene therapy initiative to address the underlying cause of neurofibromatosis type 1.
Full story »December 05, 2018John Erwin appointed vice chancellor for government relations
John Erwin, a widely known and highly regarded government affairs leader, will join UMass Medical School in early January as vice chancellor for government relations.
Full story »December 05, 2018Shoppers give generously to UMMS Public Safety toy drive
The UMass Medical School Department of Public Safety’s annual Christmas toy drive netted enough toys and gift certificates to fill 10 police cruisers at a collection held Saturday, Dec. 1 at Walmart in Northborough.
Full story »December 03, 2018UMMS scientists receive $1.6M in NIH funding to improve genome editing techniques
Led by Guangping Gao, PhD, and Erik Sontheimer, PhD, scientists at UMass Medical School will work to develop technology to enable safe genome editing in patients, thanks to new grant funding from the National Institutes of Health.
Full story »December 03, 2018Listen: A conversation with UMass President Marty Meehan
A new Voices of UMassMed podcast in which Marty Meehan highlights his focus as president of the University of Massachusetts system is available.
Full story »November 29, 2018UMMS community gathering Coats for Kids for Worcester Public Schools
UMass Medical School is again participating in the annual Worcester Public Schools Coats for Kids drive to provide new, warm outerwear to Worcester children in need.
Full story »November 29, 2018Max Baker Resource Center for students facing food insecurity dedicated at UMMS
A new student-led food pantry and resource center for UMass Medical School students was dedicated at a ceremony recognizing the contributions of those who made it possible.
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November 29, 2018
NIH grant supports UMMS research on ‘off switch’ for extra chromosome in Down syndrome
Jeanne Lawrence, PhD, and Jaime Rivera, PhD, received a five-year, $2.8 million grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development at the National Institutes of Health to test a strategy in a mouse model for silencing the extra chromosome that causes Down Syndrome.
Full story »November 28, 2018The Conversation: Michael Hirsh makes case for physician role in stemming gun fatalities
Michael Hirsh, MD, said doctors must take an active role in addressing the rising number of gun fatalities across the United States in a new opinion piece published Nov. 28 in The Conversation.
Full story »November 27, 2018Victor Ambros named fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
Victor Ambros, PhD, has been elected by his peers as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Full story »November 26, 2018UMMS helps Liberian partners strengthen health care services
Significant progress has been made in the effort to establish certified public health laboratories and safe blood collection and infection prevention and control practices in Liberia, according to David Chiriboga, MD, MPH, and colleagues, who recently provided an update work to strengthen health care services in the country.
Full story »November 21, 2018UMass Medical School team volunteers at Veterans Inc Holiday Harvest
Chancellor Michael F. Collins and UMass Medical School staffers were on hand distributing Thanksgiving turkeys with all the trimmings to veterans and their families at the Veterans Inc. annual Holiday Harvest event on Tuesday, Nov. 20.
Full story »November 20, 2018UMMS Professional Women’s Committee recognized with Beyond the Suit Award
The Professional Women’s Committee has received the Dress for Success Worcester Beyond the Suit Award in recognition of its commitment to empowering women in the greater Worcester community to achieve economic success.
Full story »November 19, 2018RNAi therapy mitigates preeclampsia symptoms in UMass Medical School study
A new study by Anastasia Khvorova, PhD, and Melissa Moore, PhD, at UMass Medical School and colleagues at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Western Sydney University, suggests that RNA interference therapy could be a potential strategy for the treatment of preeclampsia.
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In their own words: Matilde Castiel, Naheed Usmani share personal immigration stories
Matilde Castiel, MD, and Naheed Usmani, MD, shared their personal journeys of coming to the United States at the debut of the UMass Immigrant Stories series on Wednesday, Nov. 14.
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