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Colorado School of Public Health professor appointed FDA adviser

Kittelson

John Kittelson, Ph.D., associate professor in the department of biostatistics and informatics at the Colorado School of Public Health, has been appointed to a three-year term on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) reproductive health drugs advisory committee. As a member of the committee, Kittelson advises the FDA on issues related to the marketing and use of drugs targeting reproductive and urologic health.

"Dr. Kittelson's appointment acknowledges the biostatistical expertise that he brings to the FDA advisory panel in this important area," said Richard Hamman, M.D., Dr.P.H., dean of the Colorado School of Public Health. "His wealth of experience in the design and interpretation of clinical trials brings key expertise to the panel as it evaluates the evidence in support of claims for drug efficacy."

The 13-member committee is selected based on each member's knowledge in the fields of obstetrics, gynecology, urology, endocrinology, pediatrics, epidemiology or statistics. Members are responsible for reviewing and evaluating data on the safety and effectiveness of marketed and investigational human drugs for use in the practice of obstetrics, gynecology, urology and related specialties and providing recommendations to the FDA.

As a leading biostatistician, Kittelson was appointed to the FDA panel based upon his research on group sequential methods for the design and monitoring of clinical trials. Currently, he is the director of the Colorado Biostatistics Consortium at the University of Colorado Denver and the director of the Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design program of the Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute. These programs provide biostatistical consultation and collaboration to investigators at partner universities and affiliated hospitals.

Often the work of the committee involves controversial decisions as evidenced in Kittelson's first meeting earlier this month. On June 17-18, the panel was asked to advise the FDA on the approvals of a new emergency contraceptive and on a new treatment for female sexual dysfunction, popularly known as the "female Viagra." Kittelson was honored to participate in the FDA approval process.

"These decisions represent the pinnacle of the evidence base for medical practice in the United States," Kittelson said. "It is a humbling experience to be a part of these decisions as a member of the advisory committee."

The FDA uses 49 advisory committees and panels to obtain independent expert advice on scientific, technical and policy matters and generally follows committee recommendations. Current members of the Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee include experts from Brown University, Stanford University and the University of Chicago.

Biology professor named Pew Scholar

Shen

Jingshi Shen, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the department of molecular, cellular and developmental biology at the University of Colorado-Boulder, and since February 2010, an associate member of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Cancer Cell Biology Program, has been honored as a Pew Scholar and will receive a four-year grant to further his research. The $240,000 award will be used to study cell biology and membrane transport.

Shen's research focuses on understanding exocytosis, or how cells direct the contents of vesicles out of the cell membrane. Imbalances in the system can cause disease.

The Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences identifies and invests in young investigators of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of human health. The program provides support that enables scientists to take calculated risks and follow unanticipated leads to maximize the benefits of their research for society. Scholars also gain inclusion into a select community of scientists that includes three Nobel Prize winners, MacArthur Fellows and recipients of the Albert Lasker Medical Research Award. Now in its 25th year, the program has invested more than $125 million to fund over 460 scholars.

American Academy of Nursing taps Beth-El associate dean as fellow

Kenny

Deborah Kenny, Ph.D., R.N., associate dean for research at Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, recently was selected as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, one of the nation's most respected professional organizations for nurses.

Kenny directs faculty research within the Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences and also teaches as an associate professor. She joined UCCS in January after retiring as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps following more than 23 years service. She previously served as executive director of TriService Nursing Research Program for Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Md. Kenny's nursing career dates to 1975.

"This invitation to be a fellow is recognition of Dr. Kenny's past accomplishments as well as her ability to work with others to strengthen our nation's health care system in the future," said Nancy Smith, dean of the Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences. "This is the nursing profession's highest honor."

About 1,500 nurses nationwide are designated as fellows of the American Academy of Nursing, which focuses on enhancing the quality of health and nursing care, promoting healthy aging and human development across the life continuum, reducing health disparities and inequalities, shaping healthy behaviors and environments, integrating mental and physical health care, and strengthening the nursing and health care delivery system both nationally and internationally.

Boulder scientists earn early career awards

Noone

Two University of Colorado at Boulder scientists have received National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) awards.
 
Assistant Professor David Noone, Ph.D., of the atmospheric and oceanic atmospheric sciences department and Assistant Professor Noah Fierer, Ph.D., of the ecology and evolutionary biology department received the prestigious awards, which provide recipients with monetary grants to further their research. Noone and Fierer also are fellows at CU-Boulder's Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences.
 

Fierer

The NSF CAREER award supports faculty early in their careers who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research and education as well as the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations.
 
Noone received a $722,421 CAREER grant to analyze the exchange of water between the land surface and atmosphere to improve climate models and predictions of climate change. He also will deploy a new precipitation-monitoring network in coordination with middle schools in and around Erie to help engage students in the scientific process.
 
"Professor Noone winning this award highlights the excellent research being undertaken by our faculty," said Waleed Abdalati, director of the Earth Science and Observation Center at CIRES. "David's innovative approach to reinventing traditional water cycle research and his enthusiasm for student training continues to gain recognition and stand out at a time when advancing our understanding of climate is so critical."
 
Fierer received a $655,000 CAREER grant to study the effects of nutrient addition on soil microbial communities. Pollution and farming practices, such as the addition of fertilizers, are leading to nitrogen and phosphorous levels in the soil far beyond normal levels. Fierer will study the impact of these additions on microbes that maintain soil fertility.
 
"I think it is great that Noah received this distinction," said Distinguished Professor Norman Pace of the molecular, cellular and developmental biology department. "It's good for everyone – for Noah, CIRES, his department, and the university. The award is a strong stamp of approval for his work. He is working in an interesting and little-known arena, the interface between humans and the microbial world."

Dropping names ...

Nordenholz

Borgstede

The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) has selected Kristen E. Nordenholz, M.D., of the School of Medicine at the University of Colorado Denver to receive the award for Best Faculty Presentation, "The Likelihood of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in ED Patients is Not Lower Among Patients Taking Warfarin," at the SAEM annual meeting June 3-6 in Phoenix. Their decision was based on reviews of the abstract, manuscript and presentation at the meeting. Nordenholz will be recognized and presented an award plaque during the business meeting at the SAEM annual meeting in Boston in June 2011. ... Jennifer Armstrong-Wells, M.D., and Stacie Daugherty, M.D., of the Center for Women's Health Research at the University of Colorado Denver have received major grants, respectively, from the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health. Both are training grants and will further support the building of their research careers. Daugherty's grant is "Gender Disparities in Invasive Cardiovascular Disease Procedure Use: The Role of Provider Bias"; Armstrong-Wells' is "American Heart Association Clinical Research Grant." The two grants bring in more than $800,000. ... Thomas Cech, Ph.D., received an honorary degree from Harvard University and delivered the commencement address at Harvard's spring 2010 ceremony. Cech is director of the Colorado Initiative in Molecular Biotechnology (CIMB), and a Distinguished Professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Colorado at Boulder. ... The American Board of Radiology has named James P. Borgstede, M.D., to its Board of Trustees for a two-year term. An associate professor of radiology and vice chair of the department of radiology at the University of Colorado Denver, Borgstede has been a trustee since 2005. Board trustees participate in leadership and decision-making to carry out the board's mission and set standards for certification.

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