Annual Report - Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

ResearchIn addition to providing world-class educational opportunities, USU is dedicated to visionary military and publichealth-relevant research and has a reputation as a worldwide center of excellence in areas such as disastermedicine, infectious diseases, preventive medicine, tropical medicine and adaptation to extreme environments.University researchers conduct investigations to ensure military health and readiness, and for the broad benefitof humankind. Collaboration is key, with USU scientists conducting clinical and laboratory investigations sideby-sidewith leading researchers at federal and private institutions in the U.S. and around the world.IMPROVING BLAST INJURY OUTCOMESCurrently, improvised explosive devices are the mostcommon cause of combat injuries. Blasts frequentlyresult in traumatic brain injury, as well as chronicdisabilities that can affect everyday functions. The mostfrequently occurring symptom of blast traumatic braininjury (BTBI) is memoryimpairment.An interdisciplinaryteam of USU researchersled by Christine E.Kasper, Ph.D., R.N., aProfessor in the GraduateSchool of Nursing andfaculty with the Office ofNursing Services at theDepartment of VeteransAffairs Central Office,received a three-yeargrant from the VA tocharacterize the cellular, molecular and behavioralconsequences of moderate and severe BTBI. Theresearchers also will test their theory that treatment withan anti-inflammatory medication, along with behavioralstimulation, will produce neuro-regeneration leadingto better patient outcomes. This is a departure from thetraditional approach of severely limiting the amount ofstimuli to which a patient with TBI is exposed.The cross-disciplinary research team includes DenesAgoston, M.D., Ph.D., an Associate Professor in theDepartment of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, andNeil Grunberg, Ph.D., a Professor in the Department ofMedical and Clinical Psychology. Colonel GeoffreyLing, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Division of CriticalCare Medicine, Vice Chair of the Department ofNeurology and a Professor in the Departments ofAnesthesiology, Neurology and Surgery and JosephLong, Ph.D., at the Walter Reed Army Institute ofResearch, are also collaborators.Collaborating for SuccessIts close proximity to prestigious research institutions, including theNational Institutes of Health, affords USU faculty and studentssingular opportunities to interact. They have a deep sense ofshared mission among themselves and others within the militaryhealth system, lending itself to an extraordinary team spirit rarelyfound at other educational institutions.“The wealth of research opportunities here is mindblowing…You have to cross cut if you want your research tohave clinical relevance. Everyone here is so welcoming aboutcollaborations and talking about research. It’s a joy.”Students at USU benefit from this atmosphere and location,as well. “One of my doctoral students is back and forth atNIH all the time… Some of my students are also workingon a study we’re doing with the Armed Forces RadiobiologyResearch Institute...”Christine E. Kasper, Ph.D., R.N.24