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APRIL 14, 2025
What you will learn in this month's
Research edition of the Bulletin:
- Save the Date: 2025 Research Day
- Important Federal Updates
- Ease of Research Town Hall Recording & May speakers
- Funding opportunities
- Research Spotlight - Greg Damhorst
- 2026–2027 Chief Residents
- Recap: Resident Research Day
- DOM Kudos!
- Celebrating DOM's administrative professionals
- Save the date: Staff Fest 2025
Scroll down to read more!
Save the Date! DOM Research Day 2025
You're invited to attend the 18th Annual Department of Medicine David S. Stephens Research Day on Thursday, October 30, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.! Come celebrate research efforts across the department, featuring all 10 DOM divisions. This annual event provides an opportunity to share exciting new findings, facilitate scientific exchange, and identify potential new collaborations.
Important Research Day Dates:
- July–August: Abstract submissions open
- August–September: Registration opens
- Thursday, October 30: Research Day
Please note that the location is to be determined. Stay tuned for more information!
CONGRATULATORY CORNER
Young-Mi Go Kang and Dean Jones (Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine) received funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences for a project entitled, “Maintenance and enhancement of the Atlanta African American maternal-child cohort.” Read more.
Anandi Sheth (Infectious Diseases) received funding from Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago/CDC for a project entitled, “Project PrOVIDE: PrEP optimization via implementation, dissemination, and evaluation.” Read more.
William Jay Nicholson (Cardiology) received funding from Concept Medical Inc./Fortrea Inc. for a study entitled, “A prospective, multicenter, randomized, two-arm, single-blind superiority trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the MagicTouchTM Sirolimus-coated balloon in the treatment of coronary drug-eluting stent in-stent restenosis.” Read more.
FEDERAL UPDATES
NIH postpones Biosketch & Common Forms implementation
The NIH recently released a notification that they will be postponing Common Forms implementation to further support a successful transition. Initially, the new requirements for the Biosketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support were effective for applications and Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs) beginning May 25, 2025.
A new effective date has not been announced. NIH will issue future Guide Notices outlining the new effective date and additional implementation details as they are finalized. More information will also be posted on the Training Grant Support at Emory (TGSO) SharePoint site as it becomes available. If you have questions about how your proposal will be impacted, please contact the TGSO at the button below.
ClinCards for Research Participants Updates
Please review this presentation for information regarding using ClinCards for research participants and documenting for IRB/tax purposes. View the Research Matters recording (at the 40:30 mark) with corresponding slides 47–51 for updates.
Contact emoryclincards@emory.edu for general ClinCard inquiries and Susan Clark for tax-related questions.
Recent NIH Grant Cancellation Notices
Recently, many in our DOM community have received grant cancellation notices and dealt with the impact on their projects and personnel. As we navigate these very difficult times, we remain committed to research at Emory and would like to provide you with information as to the process to appeal these decisions. We thank you for your patience, and we will continue to communicate as we learn more in this dynamic environment.
Questions? Please contact Kanika Chatkara, Program Coordinator, Research.
Updates on federal government directives impacting Emory
Teams from across Emory are monitoring and responding to new federal directives and policy changes that affect our work. Click the button below for continuous updates from leadership.
HIGHLIGHTED RESOURCES
Emory Innovation Center
Translate your ideas into reality with the resources offered at the Innovation Center! Utilize 3D-printing and 3D-bioprinting, extended reality, micromachining, and lab2launch to elevate your research at a reasonable cost and time frame.
They offer project consults, concept design, prototype manufacturing, assembly and testing, troubleshooting, and more!
SVPR Project Management and Evaluation Service Center
The SVPR Project Management and Evaluation Service Center is pleased to provide these supports to investigators at a low cost:
- Project management and evaluation services
- Post-award service for Emory investigators
- Institutional funding
- Fill temporary or part-time gaps in project management
- Conduct an evaluation on projects with limited scope or budget
These services should not replace traditional mechanisms of securing project management and evaluation services.
RESEARCH EVENTS
April Town Hall Recap
Thank you all for attending our April Ease of Research Town Hall! We enjoyed hearing from Kim Eck, Associate Vice President for Research in the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research (SVPR). If you weren't able to join us, be sure to check out the recording!
Mark your calendars for our next town hall in May!
When: Friday, May 2 | noon–1 p.m. | Zoom
Topic: Insight
Guest Speakers:
Colleen Kraft, MD
Associate Chief Research Informatics Officer, Woodruff Health Sciences Center
Kimberly Maune, MHA
Executive Associate Dean of Administration & Finance, Chief Business Officer
Emory Research Events
GA CTSA: Speed Networking
Thursday, April 24 | 10:30 a.m.–noon | Zoom | Register here.
DOM Research Administration Monthly Drop-In Hours
Thursday, April 24 | 11 a.m.–noon | Zoom
DOM RAS is holding monthly drop-in hours! Join on the fourth Thursday of each month via Zoom.
Research Compliance and Regulatory Affairs: SciENcv Workshop Series
Tuesday, April 29 | 2–3 p.m. | Register here.
Public Scholarship Academy at Emory University
Tuesday–Friday, May 13–May 16 | The Forth Hotel, Atlanta, GA Learn more here.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Call for Applications: GI-T32 Fellowship
Deadline: Sunday, April 21 | Learn more
Contact Dianne Miller with questions.
American Heart Association: Pilot Grants to Explore the Use of the American Heart Association Protein Binding Atlas to Discover Novel Protein Interactions
Deadline: Thursday, May 1 | Learn more
NIDDK, NHLBI, NICHD, NCI: Catalyst Award for Early-Stage Investigators (ESIs) Pursuing Research on HIV Comorbidities, Coinfections, and Complications (DP1- Clinical Trial Optional)
Deadline: Friday, May 2 at 5 p.m. | Learn more
HIV Prevention and Alcohol (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) (PAS-25-208)
Deadline: Wednesday, May 7 (deadlines apply through May 7, 2026)
William T. Grant Foundation: Research Grants on Reducing Inequality
Deadline: Wednesday, May 7 and Wednesday, August 6 at 3 p.m. | Learn more
MISP Investigator Studies Program Areas of Interest
Deadline: Friday, May 9 by 3 p.m. | Variable amount
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Sushma Cribbs (Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine) and Jyothi Rengarajan (Infectious Diseases)
Kgoadi K et al. "Alveolar macrophages from persons with HIV mount impaired TNF signaling networks to M. tuberculosis infection." Nat Commun. 2025 Mar 10;16(1):2397. Read more.
Jonathan Kim (Cardiology)
Kim JK et al. "Cardiac Arrest During Long-Distance Running Races." JAMA. 2025 Mar 30:e253026. Read more.
Sam Lim and Cristina
Drenkard (Rheumatology)
Plantinga LC et al. “Physical Performance in a Diverse, Population-Based Cohort of Individuals With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.” Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2024 Apr;76(4):517-525. Read more.
Ted Johnson (General Internal Medicine)
Johnson TM Jr., Thompson TK, Moore MA. “The Shape of US States and Cancer Care Impact.” JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Feb 3;8(2):e2461028. Read more.
Guillermo Umpierrez, Iris Castro-Revoredo, and Priyathama Vellanki (Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipids)
Umpierrez GE et al. “Randomized Study Comparing Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Capillary Glucose Testing in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes After Hospital Discharge.” Endocr Pract. 2025 Mar;31(3):286-291. Read more.
Theresa Vettese (General Internal Medicine) and Meredith Trubitt (Hospital Medicine)
Vettese TE, Trubitt M. “Navigating Acute Pain Management for Patients With Opioid Use Disorder.” Editorial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2025 Mar 18. Read more.
Nadine Rouphael (Infectious Diseases)
Hegmann TE et al. "A phase I study of the safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of two quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccines (Fluzone® or Flublok®) with or without one of two adjuvants (AF03 or Advax-CpG55.2) in healthy adults 18-45 years of age." Vaccine. 2025 Mar 18:54:126991. Read more.
RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT
DOM Researcher Spotlight: Greg Damhorst
This edition's Researcher Spotlight features Greg Damhorst, MD, Assistant Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases. Read an excerpt below and click the button to read the full interview!
Tell us about your current research.
"My current research covers a broad spectrum of infectious disease diagnostic test development and validation research activities that leverage my experience as an infectious diseases physician and bioengineer.
In my laboratory, we are inventing new assays to characterize bacteria that cause bloodstream infections in hopes that we can make new observations that would help us better manage such infections in the hospital. Our main interest is Staphylococcus aureus, which is one of the leading causes of bacterial bloodstream infection and is complicated to assess and treat."
DOM UPDATES
Recap: 2025 Resident Research Day
For more than two decades, the J. Willis Hurst Internal Medicine Residency Program has hosted this annual event to showcase our residents' research achievements and celebrate the collaboration between residents and dedicated faculty. Resident Research Day featured a keynote presented by Sara Turbow, MD, (General Internal Medicine), titled "From Scratch to Success: A Recipe for a Career in Research & Medicine," and resident oral presentations from three of our residents (listed below).
- Ishwar Chuckaree, MD, PGY2 Resident, "Plasminogen Activator Urokinase Receptor (PLAUR) Levels are a Predictor of Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in the General Population, Independent of High-Sensitive CRP (hs-CRP)"
- Kathryn Sharma, MD, PGY2 Resident, "The PEN-FAST is Mightier than the Sword: Evaluating the Oral Amoxicillin Challenge at Emory University Hospitals"
- Navila Sharif, MD, PGY3 Resident, "One Lumen, Two Zebras: Nocardia and Non-TB Mycobacterium Bacteremia in an Immunocompetent Patient on TPN"
The event also included an in-person poster presentation session at the School of Medicine. Kudos again to the presenters, award winners, and all participants on their extraordinary work!
2026–2027 class of Internal Medicine Chief Residents
Introducing the J. Willis Hurst Internal Medicine Residency program's 2026–2027 Chief Resident group! These rising Chief Residents were selected from an exceptionally strong class based on input from residents, faculty, and stakeholders across the Department of Medicine.
We look to our chiefs as exemplary resident role models who exude intellectual curiosity, inspire curiosity in others, provide top-notch patient care, and invest in our program and our people. This group's outstanding leadership and enthusiasm for resident education will enrich the legacy of our training program.
Please join us in welcoming the following residents to the IM Residency leadership team!
- Catherine (Kaki) Bennett, Ambulatory Chief Medical Resident
- Ruth Dunn, Emory University Hospital
- Daniel Matthew, Emory University Hospital Midtown
- Martin Osorio Nader, Grady Memorial Hospital
- Laura Pax, Grady Memorial Hospital
- Kathryn Thompson, Atlanta VA Medical Center
This Wednesday, April 23, is Administrative Professionals Day! Please join us in thanking and celebrating our incredible administrative colleagues. We appreciate everything they do for the Department of Medicine.
- Joan M. Adamson
- Anenechi Asandum Akumadu
- Carisa Latonia Benton
- Kelly Johnson Campbell
- Linda D. Clarke
- Adrianne L. Clarke-Williams
- Phyllis Y. Davis
- Whitney Davison
- Susanna Faulkner
- Sharena Griswold
- Laquanda Jackson
- Lisa Jones
- Dondanae Lane
- Paula Massey
- Hillary Moe
- Brianne Bower Moore
- Sheneaka Pugh
- Marquesha Robbins
- Michael Roe
- Ivana Salmikova
- Jasmine Simon
- Eboni Sparks
- Kandice Stevenson
- Marisa Warner
- Joyce Watford
- Maxine Williamson
- Nicole Wilson
- Alexis Ziller
DOM Administrative Leadership Team Update
John Sauer has been named Chief Operating Officer for the School of Medicine, beginning May 15. In this role, he will lead many of the SOM's strategic and day-to-day operations.
Since 2015, John has served as Executive Administrator for Academic Affairs and Administration in the Department of Medicine. His leadership and contributions have greatly impacted the department's mission and work.
We have begun the process of selecting a new Executive Administrator and hope to be able to announce this news before May 15. John has also agreed to continue helping the department in many ongoing efforts, in particular the External Review, which is set to occur from June 30 through July 1, 2025.
Please join us in thanking John for his many years of service to the department and congratulating him on this new opportunity!
DOM KUDOS
Karen Law, MD | Rheumatology
Outstanding job to Karen Law, MD, on being named a recipient of the Provost's Distinguished Teaching Award for Excellence in Graduate and Professional Education!
This award recognizes outstanding scholars who excel as teachers within formal and informal educational settings. One faculty member in each of Emory’s seven graduate and professional schools is given the award in recognition of the important role of exceptional teaching in graduate and professional education.
DOM Chair Carlos del Rio, MD, shares, "Dr. Law is an incredible educator. From being a chief resident at Grady to the program director of the Internal Medicine Residency and now serving as interim Vice Chair for Education she has always pursued excellence in education. I cannot think of a better person to receive this award."
Vincent Marconi, MD| Infectious Diseases
Congratulations to Vincent C. Marconi, MD, for receiving the 2025 Veteran Health Administration's Office of Research & Development (ORD) John Blair Barnwell Award!
The John Blair Barnwell Award is ORD’s highest honor for outstanding achievement in clinical science. The award aims to recognize senior VHA investigators who have achieved international acclaim for clinical research accomplishments in areas of prime importance to VA's research mission and who have also demonstrated a high level of clinical commitment to the patient population.
Share your kudos with the DOM!
Do you have a colleague who has recently been honored, recognized, or is celebrating a career milestone or anniversary? Please share that information with us to include in this new DOM Kudos section of the Bulletin. Email DOM Communications with any photos and details.
UNIVERSITY UPDATES
Updates from the School of Medicine Town Hall
On Apil 8, 2025, 400 faculty and staff joined the School of Medicine town hall to hear updates on how federal directives, policy changes, and legislative proposals are impacting the university and the School of Medicine. Below you will find an overview of key points covered in the town hall.
What are the latest impacts on research at Emory?
- Grant terminations have continued. As of April 11, 27 awards as prime and 32 sub-awards/subcontracts have been terminated at Emory; 20 of these have been in the School of Medicine.
- Please continue your outstanding work in research and discovery, including submission of grant proposals.
- Remain attentive to federal compliance, including spending on research grants according to budget and effort certification.
What support will Emory University and School of Medicine provide to individuals impacted by terminated grants?
- University leaders are working to establish a mechanism to provide limited financial support for those impacted.
- School of Medicine has been working on plans to support those who need to pivot their federally funded research portfolio.
What sort of proactive strategies are we considering to ensure SOM research continues?
- As mentioned above, we are developing various programs to support researchers in pivoting their research efforts to align with current funding priorities. We must also broaden our research portfolio overall. This work will be ongoing.
How will learners and trainees be impacted?
- We know there are questions and concerns about scholarships and financial aid. There may also be impacts to doctoral and postdoctoral training grants and programs. The full impact is unclear at this point, but we remain committed to our education mission.
Reminder of EEO Language Change: DEADLINE TODAY
In response to a recent federal executive order, Emory is required to update our Equal Employment Opportunity statements to remain in compliance by the deadline of TODAY, April 21.
Please see these emails for more details about the federal executive order regarding Emory's EEO and what it mean for the DOM.
Emory Global Engagement: International Travel
As we approach summer, and as global events continue to change, the Emory Global Engagement team has created a helpful resource for students, staff, and faculty considering international travel. This page will also be updated as new information becomes available.
As always, International Student and Scholar Services continues to be the best place to direct any Emory-sponsored international community members with additional questions. If you have additional questions, please contact global@emory.edu.
DOM EVENT SPOTLIGHT
Tomorrow is the Annual Bettye Rose Connell Memorial Lecture
Bettye Rose Connell Memorial Lecture Series
Tuesday, April 22 | 5:30–8 p.m. | Miller-Ward Alumni House, Alumni Hall
Established in 2009, the Bettye Rose Connell Memorial Lecture series commemorates Dr. Connell’s dedication to improving the lives of vulnerable elders. Each spring, distinguished regional and national researchers are invited to Emory University and the Atlanta VA Medical Center to honor her legacy and promote continued scholarship in this field.
The Keynote Speaker is Joseph E. Gaugler, PhD, Distinguished McKnight University Professor and Robert L. Kane Endowed Chair in Long-Term Care and Aging at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. He will be presenting the topic, "Dementia Care as a Public Health Priority and Opportunity."
MEDICINE GRAND ROUNDS
Tomorrow's Medicine Grand Rounds:
#MedicineGrandRound
Tuesday, April 22 | noon–1 p.m. | Zoom
Zoom Link Meeting ID:
Passcode: MGR
Topic: Scalable exposure assessment for micro- and nanoplastics: Optimizing detection methods for human biomonitoring
Speaker: Doug Walker, PhD
Associate Professor, Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University
For more information about Medicine Grand Rounds, visit bitly.com/grandround.
In Case You Missed It: April 15 Medicine Grand Rounds/Resident Research Day
Did you miss last Tuesday's Medicine Grand Rounds? You can see this recording and our entire archive on our Department of Medicine YouTube Channel!
This past Tuesday's MGR:
April 15 | Resident Research Day Oral Presentations
ORIGINAL RESEARCH PROJECTS:
- Ishwar Chuckaree, MD, PGY2 Resident
- Kathryn Sharma, MD, PGY2 Resident
CLINICAL VIGNETTE:
- Navila Sharif, MD, PGY3 Resident
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION:
- Sara Turbow, MD, Associate Professor, General Internal Medicine
STAFF NEWS
Save the date! Emory Staff Fest 2025
Mark your calendars for Friday, May 16, for the 47th Annual Staff Fest, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.!
Staff Fest is an annual recognition event to say thank you to Emory University staff members for their hard work throughout the academic year. All staff and faculty are invited to attend.
Taking place on the Quad, join for food (BBQ lunch catered by Williamson Bros.), popcorn and ice cream, music, dancing, games, and the volleyball tournament.
Unfortunately, the Fun Run/Walk or Chalk the Walk will not take place this year, but there will still be plenty of fun on the Quad!
IN THE NEWS
Recent Department of Medicine News
- MedPage Today | Here are the top medical schools for 2025 (Emory University featured)
- Scientific American | Measles was ‘eliminated’ in the U.S. in 2000. The current outbreak may change that (Walter Orenstein quoted)
- The Hospitalist | The Balancing Act: How Hospitalists Juggle Clinical and Teaching Responsibilities (Dustin Smith featured)
EVENTS
15th Annual Bettye Rose Connell Lecture
Tuesday, April 22 | 5:30–7:45 p.m. | Miller-Ward Alumni House
11th Annual Health Services Research Day
Tuesday, May 6 | 8 a.m.–3 p.m. | Claudia Nance Rollings (CNR) Building (Rollins Auditorium)
5th Annual Kenneth V. Leeper Memorial Lecture
Thursday, May 8 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Winship 5th floor North and South Conference
Southeastern Critical Care Summit
Friday, May 9 | Emory Conference Center Hotel
Emory Staff Fest *New*
Friday, May 16 | 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m | Emory Quadrangle
RYSE Health Equity Day
Tuesday, May 20 | Hybrid: Grady Hospital Trauma Auditorium and Zoom
Atlanta Network for Training in Kidney, Urology, and Hematology (KUH) Scientific Research (ATLANTIS) Symposium
Tuesday, May 20, and Wednesday, May 24 | Wisteria Lanes at Emory Conference Center and Hotel
SOM Mock FCAP Review Session
Wednesday, May 21 | 5:30 p.m. | Zoom
GIVE TO US
The Department of Medicine includes more than 800 faculty members across our ten divisions. Your support for our work can make a difference to health care locally and globally. Click the button below to learn more about making an impact through your support for the DOM. For general department giving inquiries, please contact Ashley Michaud, Executive Director of Development, at 404-778-1250.
STAY CONNECTED
Please send photos and news from your division to deptofmed@emory.edu and visit the Department of Medicine's blog, EmoryDailyPulse.com.
The Emory University Department of Medicine is a component of the Robert W. Woodruff Health Sciences Center of Emory University, which includes the Emory Schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health; Yerkes National Primate Research Center; Winship Cancer Institute; and Emory Healthcare.