May, 2008

• Litsa Kranias, PhD, Hanna Professor of Cardiology and Chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Cell Biophysics, received a Daniel Drake Medal—the College’s highest honor awarded to distinguished living faculty and alumni who have made outstanding or unique contributions to medical education, scholarship or research. For more information, visit healthnews.uc.edu.

• The Department of Pharmacology & Cell Biophysics will co-host John H. Nilson as the 2008 Biomedical Sciences Distinguished Lecturer.Professor Nilson is the Director, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington Sate University. He will visit the University of Cincinnati on May 8-9, 2008 where he will deliver 2 lectures.
  Basic Science Lecture: 4pm May 8, 2008 - Kehoe Auditorium, Kettering Laboratory Building (UC East Campus)
  Currently, the Nilson laboratory is addressing how GnRH signals through a complex transcriptional network to regulate expression of four genes that establish the functional character of gonadotropes. This presentation will focus on new evidence indicating that GnRH acts through ß-catenin, a member of the canonical WNT signaling pathway, to regulate expression of immediate early genes that confer hormonal responsiveness to the four downstream genes that provide the signature of a functional gonadotrope. These studies utilize gonadotrope cell lines, transgenic mice, and a variety of molecular tools including transfection, transduction, and RNAi paradigms. The long term goal is to elucidate the complete transcriptional network required for ensuring that gonadotropes function efficiently and effectively.
  Biomedical Sciences Distinguished Lecture: 11am, May 9, 2008 - Auditorium, Vontz Center for Molecular Sciences (UC East Campus)
  Normal reproductive function in mammals requires precise control of LH synthesis and secretion by gonadotropes of the anterior pituitary. Synthesis of LH requires expression of two genes located on different chromosomes. Hormones from the hypothalamus and gonads modulate transcription of both genes as well as secretion of the biologically active LH heterodimer. Disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis causes dire pathological consequences that range from infertility to cancer. This presentation will explore how transgenic mice can be used to illustrate the principal that control of LH synthesis and secretion and its impact on the reproductive axis follows the Goldilocks Principle—not too little, not too much, just the right amount.

Apr, 2008

• Litsa Kranias, PhD, has been named chair of the pharmacology and cell biophysics department, effective April 1 and pending approval by the UC Board of Trustees. Kranias, a professor of pharmacology and cell biophysics and director of cardiovascular biology, has been on the College of Medicine’s faculty since 1978. She has made significant advances in identifying key genes associated with heart failure and sudden death. Kranias has also distinguished herself internationally as a molecular cardiac researcher and has received continuous funding and recognition from the National Institutes of Health. For more information, visit healthnews.uc.edu.

Feb, 2008

• Siyun Liao , Pharmacology Graduate Student, will be defending her thesis: "The Role of Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 Isoforms in Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury and Cardioprotection" - on Feb 20, 2008 in Room 331, HPB @ 1:00pm. There will be a reception at 2:30pm in room 340 HPB (1st floor dining area).
  (Click for announcement)

Oct, 2007

• Research on the growth factor FGF2 by Daniel Pietras, a MD-PhD student, has been selected for presentation at the 5th annual Research Poster Symposium, hosted by the American Medical Association's (AMA) Medical Student Section. Pietras, under the mentorship of Jo El Schultz, PhD, associate professor of pharmacology and cell biophysics, has found evidence that FGF2, a growth factor currently being studied in clinical trials as treatment for heart attack patients, works to maintain function in mouse hearts during a simulated attack by promoting activity of an energy-sensing potassium channel in cardiac mitochondria (the "powerhouse" of the cell). The poster symposium will take place Friday, Nov. 9, in Honolulu, Hawaii, with the winner announced Saturday, Nov. 10. For more information, visit www.ama-assn.org.

May, 2007

• Qunying Yuan , Pharmacology Graduate Student, will be defending her thesis: THE ROLE OF JUNCTIN IN THE REGULATION OF SARCOPLASMIC RETICULUM CALCIUM CYCLING AND CARDIAC FUNCTION - on May 2, 2007 in Room 231, HPB. There will be a reception at 3:00pm in room 1021 D Holmes Hospital (1st floor dining area).
  (Click for announcement)

March, 2007

• Dr. Jo El Schultz has been chosen as one of the "Ohio Bioscience 30 in Their 30s," a list of noteworthy individuals from academia and/or industry excelling in the bioscience arena. The 2007 issue of Accelerating Excellence, the Official Publication for Bioscience in Ohio, will feature an article illustrating the significant young talent in Ohio that is impacting the world of bioscience. Entitled “30 in their Thirties: 30 Ohioans Shaping the Bioscience World Now,” the article will include brief biographies, quotes, and photos of 30 top Ohio academic and industrial scientists, researchers, clinicians, management personnel and other professionals who are in their thirties. The article will recognize Ohio’s bioscience professionals who are driving the state to increasing levels of international bioscience prominence. “There seems to be a common misperception that career success in the biosciences doesn’t occur until later in one’s life,” said Omeris President & CEO Tony Dennis. “We’ve come across so many brilliant young professionals through our events and statewide site visits that we wanted to debunk the myth, at least in Ohio. Symbolically, it’s very important that we bring attention to this emerging demographic within ‘Bio in Ohio.’ ” Jim O’Hare, Publisher of Accelerating Excellence and sponsor of the recognition program said, “We’re very interested in recognizing and promoting Ohio’s bioscience industry as being simultaneously mature and evolving.” O’Hare added, “This feature helps us dramatically illustrate the dynamic bioscience industry in Ohio to the magazine’s worldwide audience.”
  

• Women’s Advocate Category sponsored by Speaking of Women’s Health:
  Evangelia G. Kranias, Ph. D., Distinguished University Research Professor of Pharmacology and Cell Biophysics, Director of Cardiovascular Biology, The University of Cincinnati
  For the past 28 years, Dr. Litsa Kranias has been a full-time faculty member in the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She has distinguished herself globally with many notable research discoveries and contributions on heart disease. Her research has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health and often with multiple awards. An internationally sought after speaker, Dr. Kranias is an innovative and leading biomedical researcher and scientist of great statue in the cardiovascular field. Within her research group, she has directly mentored over 56 young scientists who did their Ph. D. thesis research in her lab or received postdoctoral training from her. “Inspirational” is a word her female students and colleagues often apply to her mentorship.
  Dr. Kranias will be recognized, along with other award recipients, at the Leading Women Luncheon Celebration on March 7, 2007, 11-1:30PM at the Duke Energy Center.