Pediatrics department to host school supply drive
The UTMB Department of Pediatrics is sponsoring a school supplies drive for disadvantaged Galveston Independent School District students and UTMB pediatrics patients. Items requested include spiral notebooks, No. 2 pencils, binders, backpacks, rulers, flash drives, construction paper, combination locks and highlighters. The department will be collecting supplies through Aug. 23. Items can be dropped off in the main lobby of John Sealy Hospital at Eighth and Market streets or in Research Building 6 (formerly the Children’s Hospital) Room 3.300 on the UTMB campus. Contact Tayna Vazquez, tavazque@utmb.edu or 409-772-5270.
Italians spotlight medical community
The Italian Cultural and Community Center of Houston hosts a gala each year celebrating the contributions of Italians and Italian-Americans. This year’s event will spotlight members of the medical community whose personal and professional achievements exemplify character, leadership, community service and the Italian spirit. UTMB will be well represented by Dr. Nicola Abate, chief of endocrinology; Dr. Luca Cicalese, director of the Texas Transplant Center; Maria-Adelaide Micci, assistant professor of anesthesiology; Dr. Cristiana Rastellini, director of cellular transplantation and transplant research; and Giulio Taglialatela, director of the Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases. The gala is at 6 p.m. Aug. 23 at the Westin Houston, Memorial City, 945 Gessner Road, in Houston. Individual tickets are $200, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the DePelchin Children’s Center. Call 713-524-4222.
Research studies on campus
As an academic health science center, UTMB is actively involved in clinical trials of all sorts — from basic science to medical technology and new vaccines. Visit www.its.utmb.edu/research_postings.
Asthma research
Volunteers are needed for an asthma research study. Individuals might qualify for one of UTMB’s studies if they have a history of physician-diagnosed asthma and are 18 to 65 and a nonsmoker for at least one year. Contact Afifa Khalil, akhalil@utmb.edu or 409-747-1887.
Older volunteers needed
The Division of Endocrinology is seeking healthy male and female volunteers, age 50 to 60, to participate in an eight-week investigational research study examining muscle metabolism and fatigue in response to sildenafil and tadalafil. Volunteers will be reimbursed for time and travel. Contact Kate Randolph, kmrandol@utmb.edu or 409-772-8126.
Vaccine study
The Sealy Center for Vaccine Development is recruiting healthy men and women, 18 and older, for a human cytomegalovirus vaccine clinical trial. Participants must be available for about 10 study visits during 18 months. Travel reimbursement is provided. Contact Lori Simon, lasimon@utmb.edu or 409-772-5278.
Inside UTMB is compiled by the communications department at the University of Texas Medical Branch.