Pope also met with W. Dalton Dietrich, Ph.D., scientific director of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Dean Pascal Goldschmidt, M.D., and neurology chairman Ralph Sacco, M.D., and visited several of the genetics and neurology research labs housed in the facility.

Lois Pope presents an annual research award each spring at the Miller School to honor an individual whose visionary research has made a dramatic difference against disease. Pope founded Leaders in Furthering Education, or LIFE. She later became interested in the neurosciences in 1995 when her good friend and LIFE board member, the late Christopher Reeve, was paralyzed.

For more information or to register, please call us at 305-284-4727 or e-mail alc.cstudies@miami.edu.

The online training will prepare the participant to complete their in-person skills assessment test and obtain their ACLS card. The skills assessment (mega-code) will be conducted by the experts in emergency response training at the Michael S. Gordon Center for Research in Medical Education by appointment only.

Participants may pay for the training by IDR, personal check or cash. The cost per participant for the complete course is $100 for University of Miami employees and $150 for non-UM employees.

To sign up or for further information on the training, please contact Brenda Lee at the UM/Sylvester Education Department at 305-243-9192 or BLee@med.miami.edu. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A request for grant applications is issued twice a year, with application deadlines of June 27 and October 3. Our next draft proposal deadline is September 15. The criteria for pilot projects include originality, feasibility, scientific merit and likelihood that the pilot project can be developed into a larger investigation. Pilot project applicants who have not received R01 or equivalent awards and are new investigators are eligible to apply. For more information on pilot project submission requirements and guidelines visit http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA07-501.html.

For more information and for application procedures, contact Chantell Torregrosa-Macias at 305-243-3981.

A representative from Fidelity Investments will be on the medical campus tomorrow to answer financial questions about its retirement plans. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-642-7131.

All meetings will take place in the Human Resources Benefits Office, 901 NW 17th St., Suite D.

For more information, please call 305-243-7600.

The course includes a computer-based learning prerequisite. If you do not have access to the internet and need to obtain the pre-work materials or need further information on the content of the workshop, please call Sally Philips at 305-284-6604. To register, visit http://ulearn.miami.edu.

The course will be held this Thursday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Max Orovitz Building on the Coral Gables campus, room 139.

For help with registration, call the Personal Development and Training Office at 305-284-5110.

For more information, please contact Sheela Dominguez at 305-243-4889 or sdominguez@med.miami.edu.

Please join us at noon in UM/Sylvester conference room 1301. For more information contact Sheela Dominguez at 305-243-4889 or sdominguez@med.miami.edu.

Ms. Fike will give an overview of the Florida Local Business Leadership Network program and explore the program's significance for people with disabilities in today's workforce.

Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Wanda Castro at 305-243-4466 or wcastro@med.miami.edu by this Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

In appreciation of the University's faculty and staff, the president and provost are once again hosting the event and the first pitch will be thrown out by Miller School of Medicine’s dean Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D. A concert and fireworks display will take place immediately following the game. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. at Dolphin Stadium and the pre-game festivities will kick off at 4:05 p.m. in the Gate D Helix.

Complimentary tickets are available for faculty and staff only. Each regular employee can receive one free ticket and may purchase three guest tickets for $1 each. If you wish to obtain more than three guest tickets, additional tickets are $5 each. Each employee and their first three guests will also receive a complimentary meal voucher for a hot dog, chips and soft drink.

Ticket distribution will begin the second week of July. There will be multiple distribution days on each campus. Information on times and locations will be posted in e-Update.

 The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is recruiting patients for the following clinical studies:

• Cervical Dysplasia

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is testing experimental medications and therapies for the treatment of cervical dysplasia, a pre-cancerous condition that can lead to cancer if left untreated. Current treatments are surgical or invasive. This study is testing an investigational gene therapy to see if it safely and effectively treats HPV medicated cervical lesions as a result of dysplasia. If you are between 18 and 25 and have had an abnormal PAP test, you may be able to take part in this research study. Qualified participants will receive all study-related care and study therapy. To find out more, call Iliana Rivas at (305) 243-5832 or I.rivas@miami.edu.

• Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Do you experience heavy menstrual bleeding on two to five days of your regular menstrual period? Does heavy menstrual bleeding keep you from your normal social and work activities? If you answered yes to these questions, you may qualify for a research study of an investigational drug for heavy menstrual bleeding. This investigational drug is not a hormone. You must be a generally healthy woman between ages 18 and 49, have regular menstrual cycles with heavy bleeding, and not have any other bleeding disorder.

Qualified participants will receive the study drug and study-related procedures including physical exams, electrocardiograms, eye exams and laboratory tests at no cost. They will also receive compensation for time and travel. For more information, please contact Marisol Sloane at 305-243-1616.

Jay Skyler, M.D., and Jennifer Marks, M.D., from the Diabetes Research Institute, are currently recruiting patients 18 years of age and older with type 1 diabetes mellitus for participation in research studies to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of inhaled insulin. Patients must be taking multiple insulin injections daily, be non-smokers and in good health. Those who are interested should contact Rogelio Suarez at 305-243-6573 or rsuarez2@med.miami.edu.

Robert Kirsner, M.D., Ph.D., vice chairman of the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, is looking for people with foot ulcers as a complication of diabetes or venous insufficiency. Please contact Carol Kittles at 305-243-8485 for additional information on these studies.

Do you experience food cravings? The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the UM Miller School of Medicine is conducting a pilot study of food craving using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Interested volunteers can contact Karin Esposito, M.D., Ph.D., at 305-243-4710.

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences is conducting a federally funded HIV behavioral intervention research study for women and their partners, the New Opportunities for Women 2 (NOW 2) Project. The project will address topics related to safer sex, sexual risk reduction, STDs and communication skills. The NOW 2 Project is currently recruiting English-speaking couples, in which one or both individuals must be HIV positive. Participants must be 18 years or older, willing to be tested for STDs, and answer personal questions in a confidential interview. Women and men who participate may each receive compensation of up to $360 for an entire year of participation (this includes attendance at all interviews, examinations and sessions). If interested, please contact Arnetta Phillips or Jackie Gomez, at 305-243-2103, or (aphillips@yahoo.com / jgomez4@med.miami.edu).

The Center for Liver Diseases is recruiting participants for the following studies:

• Patients with chronic liver disease
This studies the correlation between liver histology and elasticity measured in patients with chronic liver disease using a device known as Fibroscan. This is a painless, non-invasive test. Qualifying patient must have received a laparoscopic liver biopsy within the past two months or scheduled a laparoscopic liver biopsy within the next two months by their PCP at Cedars Medical Center-Miami. This is a one time visit. Liver cancer patients are excluded. Contact: Zvi Leibovici at 305-243-2330 or zleibovici@med.miami.edu.

• Patients with cirrhosis of the liver as a result of hepatitis B 
This is a phase III b protocol comparing entecavir vs. adefovir in chronic hepatitis B subjects with evidence of hepatic decompensation. Subjects must have cirrhosis because of hepatitis B infection, never been treated for hepatitis B or treated with lamivudine (epivir) only, and do not have HIV, hepatitis C or D. For further information please call: 305)-243-6939, or e-mail the study  coordinator, Connie Higgins at: chiggins@med.miami.edu.

• Patients with hepatic encephalopathy
This study will compare Lactulose and Rifaximin to determine the benefit of either drug, or a combination of both. We will be enrolling patients with cirrhosis of the liver and a history of a previous hospitalization for hepatic encephalopathy. Patients will be followed for six months and a one-month post-treatment. Contact Macy Ho, CRC 305-243-4648 or e-mail Mho@med.miami.edu.

• Vaccine test in patients with chronic hepatitis C
The Center for Liver Diseases is conducting a phase I, double-blind, placebo controlled, dose escalation, multi-center trial of a therapeutic vaccine in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. Subject must be > 18, have no hypersensitivity to baker's yeast, non-cirrhotic, compensated liver disease, and must have received a liver biopsy within the past two years or be willing to have one performed. Subjects can be naïve to previous treatment, or a relapser or partial responder to an interferon-based treatment. Must meet other criteria as well. Contact Macy Ho at 305-243-4648 or mho@med.miami.edu.

Do you or does someone you know experience pain related to spinal cord injury? Eva Widerström-Noga, Ph.D., and her colleagues are conducting research into the nature and treatment of pain associated with spinal cord injury. Studies are enrolling now.  Eligible participants will be 18 to 70 years of age and at least two years post-injury.  If you are interested in enrolling, please call The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at 305-243-8132 for information.

The Department of Psychology is recruiting participants for the following studies:

• A schizophrenia family study 
Have you or one of your relatives been diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder? Are you in regular contact with this person? If so, you and your family may be eligible to participate in a free family-focused treatment research study. During the treatment, clinicians will provide factual information about schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. In addition, techniques to assist the family in coping with mental illness will be presented. Treatment is available in English and Spanish. If interested, please contact the Schizophrenia Family Project at 305-284-5455.

• A family factors and autism study
The aim of this project is to better understand families’ emotional reactions to autism spectrum disorders. We seek the participation of adults with high-functioning autism or Asperger’s and one of his or her parents. Participation will involve one hour-long telephone call. If you would like to help with this study or if you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Wasserman at 305-284-2307.

Researchers at the MRI Center need healthy subjects for a magnetic resonance imaging study. For more information, please visit http://midas.med.miami.edu/Research/MRStudies.htm.

The Department of Psychology and the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control is conducting a quality of life research intervention with advanced prostate cancer patients. Participants should have Stage III or IV prostate cancer and have recently or currently been treated with hormone therapy. Eligible participants will take part in a ten-week cognitive behavioral stress and affect management program or a health promotions program. Three psychosocial/medical assessments are also required. If you are interested in this study or would like more information, please contact Frank Penedo, Ph.D., at 305-243-3329, or fpenedo@miami.edu.

Daniel Santisteban, Ph.D., of the Center for Family Studies in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, is currently conducting a research program that would provide adolescents and/or their family treatment for free. Participants must be 14 to 17 years old, have a parent or legal guardian willing to participate, meet DSM criteria for both substance abuse disorder and borderline personality disorder, and be willing to participate in four separate but paid evaluations. If interested, please contact Maite Mena, Psy., at 305-243-3658, or mmena@med.miami.edu for details. 

Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine is seeking patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) for phase III protocol that will assess the impact of pirfenidone on IPF. Subjects must be between 40 and 80, and have a confirmed diagnosis of IPF within 48 months of randomization. For more information please call: 305-243-3728, or e-mail Emmanuelle Simonet at esimonet@med.miami.edu.

The Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement is conducting research with family caregivers of dementia patients who speak English and are 50 years of age or older. If you are not a caregiver but are interested in participating, you may be able to help as well. Participants will receive basic training on how to use the Internet and will be asked to look for information about care-giving and dementia. If you are interested in being a part of this research study, please call 305-355-9200. You will be paid for your time and effort.

Jennifer B. Marks, M.D., is currently recruiting patients ages 18 through 40 with type 1 diabetes mellitus with a recent diagnosis for participation in a research study to test the safety and effectiveness of an investigational medication. Patients must be taking multiple insulin injections daily and in good health. Those who are interested should contact Rogelio Suarez at 305-243-6573 or rsuarez2@med.miami.edu.

The AIDS Clinical Research Unit, directed by Margaret Fischl, M.D., is recruiting participants for the following studies:

• An investigational polyclonal caprine IgG, HRG214, for HIV patients not responding to antiretroviral therapy. HRG214 contains antibodies that targets HIV infected CD4 cells and specific regions on HIV. Laboratory/animal studies suggest these antibodies are capable of killing or disabling HIV and preventing further infection.  Participants must have HIV RNA < 5000 copies/ml and CD4 cells < 200 cells/cmm. The study will evaluate 3 increasing dose of HRG214 in part I and compare HRG214 to optimized antiretroviral therapy in part II. HFG214 is given IV over about 30 minutes three times a week for up to 26 weeks. $100 provided each completed week of HRG214 treatment and $25 each completed week of observation

 • A phase II study of investigation use of recombination human keratinocyte growth factor (rHuKGF, palifermin) for patients with incomplete immune recovery on HAART.  rHuKGF may enhance thymus production of lymphocytes and increase CD4 cell counts. Participants must be 18 years and older, receiving antiretroviral therapy for at least 6 months with HIV RNA <200 and CD4 cell count <200 cells.  The study will evaluate 3 doses (20, 40 60 mcg/kg) of rHuKGF compared to placebo.  rHuKGF given IV bolus daily for 3 days. Follow up study visits at weeks 1,2,4,8 12 and 24 with thymus CT scans at entry and week 12.

 • A phase II of an investigational glycosylated recombinant human IL-7 (CYT017, a cytokine that aids T-cell development and improves T-cell survival). Participants must be 18 years of age, receiving HAART for at least 12 months and have an HIV-1 RNA level < 1,000 copies/ml and CD4 cell count of 101– 400 cells/ccm. The study will evaluate three increasing doses (10, 20, 30 Fg/kg) of IL-7 given by SQ injection once a week for 3 weeks. Up to $275 in food certificates provided.

For more information on studies conducted by the AIDS Clinical Research Unit, contact Juan at 305-243-3838 or Leslie at L.Thompson@miami.edu.

The SPARE Study (Soy Phytoestrogens As Replacement Estrogen) is currently recruiting women 45 to 60 years of age to study the role of soy phytoestrogens given in tablet form to prevent bone loss. Participants will be given a physical exam at study entry, an annual mammogram and bone density test, and will be asked to come for 10 study visits over a period of two years for blood tests and to complete questionnaires about diet, exercise, and well-being. Interested women should contact the SPARE Study Office at 305-243-4330 or via e-mail at aherrin@med.miami.edu.

The University of Miami Skin Research Group, directed by Brian Berman, M.D., Ph.D., is looking for people with rosacea, acne, atopic dermatitis (eczema), and keloids. Participants should be 18 or older for the acne and keloid studies and ages 2 to 17 for the atopic dermatitis studies. If interested, please contact the research staff at 305-243-5519 or visit our website at http://www.skininvestigation.com/.

Bruce Rubin, M.D., is currently performing a study on trigeminal neuralgia (TN) treatment with subcutaneous injections of BOTOX® to evaluate the effectiveness of treating facial pain associated with TN. Patients must have a diagnosis of TN for more than three months and be at least 18 years of age.
 
Dr. Rubin is also seeking patients for a research study on the treatment of tightness/spasticity in the wrist, fingers, and elbow caused by a stroke while evaluating the effect of BOTOX® on pulmonary functioning. Patients must be 18 years of age, have had a stroke six months ago or longer, have a pulmonary/breathing problem and cannot have used BOTOX® or any other botulinum toxin previously for any condition. Please contact Amy L. Kaye, ARNP, at 305-243-6223 for additional information on either of these studies.