From Bench to Bedside: The Work of UNM’s Clinical & Translational Science Center
Posted: January 1, 2019
Dr. Richard Larson, Executive Vice Chancellor of The University of New Mexico’s Health Sciences Center, talks with Michael Haederle and Alex Sanchez about UNM’s Clinical & Translational Science Center which is tasked with transforming science.
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July 2021 |
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Letter from the Director |
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Dear Colleagues, Our CTSC staff have returned to campus and have hit the ground running with research operations moving forward at speed. We have several impactful studies in the featured stories section this month. Our PCI group has completed enrollment for a study by Dr. Dustin which focuses on a novel method of pain relief for osteoarthritis of the knee. Osteoarthritis, which occurs when the cartilage that protects the ends of bones wears down over time, is the most common form of arthritis worldwide, affecting millions. In the US, osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the top causes of disability in older adults. Current therapies are limited to symptom management. Dr. Richter’s study examines a method of relieving pain by harvesting and injecting adipose tissue into the knee. If efficacious, this method could replace or supplement the current symptom management methods. The Biomedical Informatics group has begun collaborating with Dr. Christine Kasper of the UNM College of Nursing and LisaMarie Turk, a PhD candidate, in a pilot study examining the unique needs of adolescents and young adults with medical burdens and complex special health care needs. The team used data mining techniques on Cerner’s National HealthFacts database to examine the different types of care transitions and were able to make accurate predictions about future care. This precision population health study provides information that can predict the effects of various policy interventions and enhance health equity and quality of care. The technique used will also be applicable for COVID-19, offering the possibility of predicting both the possible sequalae associate with COVID-19 infection for an individual, as well as predicting the pattern or patterns of care an individual might experience. New Mexico will be reopening without COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on July 1, 2021. While this is a huge milestone, it does not mean the pandemic is over. We encourage you to sign up for vaccination if you have not already at https://cvvaccine.nmhealth.org/. Please explore the University’s Bring Back the Pack COVID-19 guidance, as it provides important information to consider as we move through summer and into the fall semester. All standard CTSC services are available. We encourage PIs to reach out to our Research Concierge (HSC-CTSCResearchConcierge@salud.unm.edu) with questions and/or to setup a consultation with the CTSC team. Every part of the CTSC is integral to our purpose and funding, and we aim to update each section of the CTSC newsletter monthly. Each PI has a personal, professional investment in the information we provide. Please submit that information to our team. The CTSC is here for your support. If you are interested in a rigorous quantitative rural research project focused on COVID-19, please contact me (RLarson@salud.unm.edu) to start a dialogue. The committed faculty, staff, and students at CTSC continue their research projects and look for innovative ways to support our communities. The Health Sciences Center Office of Research website contains information on specific research-related updates (including the Research Continuity Guidelines for both Laboratories & Research Facilities and Clinical Trial Research Faculty & Staff) and can be accessed through the following link: https://hsc.unm.edu/research/. If you have any questions about our assets and services, please contact the CTSC Research Concierge. If you have any issues finding the information that you need, please reach out to the CTSC Newsletter Team and they will get back to you. As always, thank you so much for your continued support of the Clinical & Translational Science Center!
Warm regards, Richard S. Larson, MD, PhD PI, CEO and Director Clinical & Translational Science Center |