Pictured Above: Miller School Dean Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., Ralph Sacco, M.D., and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Javier Souto.

Fidelity Investments will visit on Wednesday, May 6, and Wednesday, May 27. To schedule an appointment, visit www.fidelity.com/atwork/reservations.

TIAA-CREF will visit on Thursday, May 7. To schedule an appointment, visit www.tiaa-cref.irg/moc or call 866-842-3357, ext. 261304.

Lincoln Financial Group will visit on Tuesday, May 19. To schedule an appointment, contact Theresa Yong at 305-245-7332 or Theresa.Yong@LFG.com. 

Also, don’t forget that you can contact LTSave at 877-587-2832 for free investment advice anytime.

For additional information, call 305-243-6691 or send an e-mail to naviles@med.miami.edu.

For more information, call Yanay Tabraue at 305-243-1998 or ytabraue@med.miami.edu.

For more information, please contact Mayra Ramos at 305-585-5285.

Please RSVP to Natalya Bublik at 305-243-9936 or nbublik@med.miami.edu.

For more information, please contact Sandy Dostaler at 305-243-4615 or sdostaler@med.miami.edu.

For more information, please contact Ledinaida Figueroa at lfigueroa@med.miami.edu.

Accepted posters will be judged by an expert panel for originality, scientific vigor and importance to women's health. Three awards of $250 each will be given in the categories of student/resident, clinical faculty and basic science faculty. 

For more information, visit the Institute for Women’s Health Web site at http://womenshealth.med.miami.edu/x28.xml or contact Patti Stauffer at pstauffer@med.miami.edu.  

If you wish to meet with the speaker, please contact Sylka Perez at 305-243-6265 or sperez6@med.miami.edu.

Registration is $25 for adults and $10 for children 13 and under. To sign up or learn more, visit www.miraclewalk.kintera.org or call 305-817-5645.

Please RSVP to Natalya Bublik at 305-243-9936 or nbublik@med.miami.edu. 

Please register at http://Ulearn.miami.edu. For more information, send an e-mail to ResEDU@med.miami.edu or call 305-496-3950.

The event will take place on Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at University of Miami Hospital, Seminar Center. The event is free, but you must register by e-mailing your name and phone number to isanchez3@med.miami.edu or call 305-243-4766.  As you exit the parking garage elevators on the first floor, walk to the right until you reach the double glass doors on the left to enter the Seminar Center. Parking at the University of Miami Hospital garage will be validated. For more information, visit www.ob-gyn.med.miami.edu.

Attendance is free, but registration is required. For more information or to register, please contact Sharifa Pettigrew at spettigrew@med.miami.edu.

For more information on the Stimulus Working Group, contact Juan Carlos Del Valle at jcdelvalle@miami.edu. For information on how researchers at UM can benefit from stimulus funding, visit www.miami.edu/research/recovery.

NIH Announces New Stipends and Criteria for NRSA Awards
The National Institutes of Health has established new stipend levels for the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grants (T32) for undergraduate, pre- and post-doctoral trainees, and fellows for the 2009 federal fiscal year. Training-related expenses for trainees and the institutional allowance for individual fellows have not changed.

In addition, NIH has consolidated the seven peer review criteria into five without altering their scope. The five criteria are training program and environment, training program director/principal investigator, preceptors/mentors, trainees, and training record. Each of the criteria will receive a score of 1 through 9 (1=outstanding to 9=poor), along with an overall impact/priority score.

For more information on stipend levels, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-09-075.html, and for more information on review criteria, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-09-074.html.

The University of Miami-Child Protection Team research group would like to invite medical professionals to participate in a study that aims to increase understanding of issues in newborn screening. For the purposes of this study medical professionals include faculty, medical residents and nurses working in pediatric practices within the Department of Pediatrics and Genetics. The study is estimated to take 15 minutes to complete and participants will be compensated with $20. If you have any questions about the study or would like more information before deciding whether to participate, please contact the Principal Investigator of this study, Jason Jent, Ph.D., at 305-243-7550 or jjent@med.miami.edu.

The Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Clinical Psychology at the Mailman Center is currently enrolling participants for a research study that is validating a pediatric measure of acute stress disorder (ASD) in English and Spanish.  Participants are children between the ages of 8-17 who have experienced or witnessed potentially traumatic events such as car accidents, fires, frightening/painful medical procedures, and/or have been victims of community violence. Participants will be followed for 3 months after initial enrollment, will receive clinical referrals as needed and a thank-you gift certificate for their participation. For more information, please contact Dr. Anai Cuadra at 305-243-6562 or acuadra@med.miami.edu.

The Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement (CREATE) from the Miller School is conducting a series of research studies. Currently, we are conducting focus groups to understand how older adults are able to successfully use communication technology and the potential benefits and impact of communication technologies at work. If you speak English and are more than 18 years old, you might qualify for this study. If you want to learn more about CREATE, please call 305-355-9200 and mention the “Communication Technology at Work” project. You will be paid for your time and effort.

Hispanics and Circumcision
If you are a healthy, pregnant, HIV negative Hispanic female and/or male partner 18 years or older, you may be eligible to participate in this project (one session only) and assist with the evaluation of benefits of male circumcision as a possible HIV preventative measure by identifying attitudes of pregnant Hispanic women and her partners about circumcision of the unborn male child, explore the challenge of circumcision as an HIV prevention strategy and increase awareness in the Hispanic community regarding male circumcision. If eligible, you could earn up to $25 in compensation for your time (60 minutes) and effort. Please contact us today for more information at 305- 243-2103.

Tai Chi for Health and Smoking Cessation
The University of Miami Division of Complementary and Integrative Medicine in conjunction with the Medical Wellness Center is conducting a research study to determine if Tai Chi exercise is effective for helping people to stop smoking. Patches, gum, hypnosis...if you've tried everything and still can't quit smoking, Tai Chi may provide the ideal mind-body awareness to help you put out that last cigarette. Tai Chi combines deep breathing with postures that flow from one to the next through a series of slow, continuous movements to help you focus and reduce the stress and cravings typically associated with smoking.

Tai Chi engages all of your senses during the exercises, so you don't have time to notice that you want a cigarette. The conscious breath in Tai Chi practice is also known to help regulate the respiratory system and lessen the severity of asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis; all of which can afflict smokers. The course will focus on improving muscular strength and flexibility, heart and lung capacity, posture, balance, and the integration of mind and body.

If you qualify for this study, you will be assigned to a group of 8-12 people to participate in the Tai Chi exercise program three times per week for 12 weeks at the UM Medical Wellness Center. Classes are one hour long and will start the beginning of January. After the initial 12 weeks, you will also participate in a session once per week for the next 12 weeks. Master trainer Jef Morris will lead the Tai Chi course. Jef has been featured in articles in the Miami Herald and New York Times. The course cost is $84, which is the same cost as participating in the existing UM smoking cessation program. Upon successful completion of the program, Benefits Administration will reimburse the full amount to you if you are a UM employee. If you are not a UM Employee, then you will not be reimbursed for participating in the study.

To find out if you are eligible for the study or if you have any questions, please contact John Lewis, Ph.D., at 305-243-6227 or jelewis@miami.edu.

Is your child anxious or depressed?
The Child and Adolescent Mood and Anxiety Treatment (CAMAT) lab at the Psychology Department on the Coral Gables campus is now offering a free cognitive behavioral treatment program for teenagers ages 12-17 who have an anxiety or depressive disorder. After an initial phone screening a diagnostic assessment will be scheduled with one of our clinicians in order to understand each child’s feelings and behavior. If eligible, the study treatment will be offered.

If you would like to learn more about how you can get help and hear more about our program, please contact the CAMAT lab at 305-284-9852 or anxietylab@psy.miami.edu.

Racial Differences in Phosphorus Metabolism
The Division of Nephrology and Hypertension is interested in studying how the body gets rid of phosphorus in Black people compared to White people, because this may help explain racial differences in chronic kidney disease. Study volunteers will be given an infusion of a hormone called parathyroid hormone for six hours. During the six hours, blood and urine tests will be collected. A total of four study visits over approximately three weeks will be required.
They are looking for healthy black or white volunteers 18 years of age or older. You will not be able to participate if you have problems with your kidneys or liver, or if you are pregnant. Compensation will be provided for participation.

This study will be conducted in the general clinical research center at the University of Miami. To learn more about the study, please call Kelsey Smith at 305-243-4782.

This research is conducted under the direction of Orlando Gutierrez, M.D.

Are you having twins? 
 
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine is conducting a twin birth study under the direction of Victor Gonzalez-Quintero, M.D., M.P.H., and in collaboration with Sunnybrook Health Science Center and the University of Toronto in Canada. For more information please call Pam Uharriet, RN, M.P.H., at 305-243-2168.

The Department of OB/GYN, Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery
(Urogynecology) at the Miller School is conducting a research study on Bulkamid, an investigational urethral bulking agent for minimally invasive treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). You may be eligible for this study if you are seeking treatment for urinary stress incontinence (involuntary leakage of urine during physical activity such as sneezing, coughing, or laughing). For more information, please contact Diann C. Fernandez, A.R.N.P., at 305-243-4805.

Have you been diagnosed with bipolar disorder? Do you have problems with alcohol or cocaine? Do you wish you could stop? Let us guide you on your way to recovery. Researchers at the Miller School are conducting a clinical study to see if an FDA approved medication for bipolar disorder offers any benefit in reducing alcohol and cocaine use and cravings. You may be eligible if you are between the ages of 18 and 65, have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, are dependent on alcohol or cocaine and do not have other major health problems. Study medications, laboratory studies, EKG and study procedures are provided at no cost to participants and you may be compensated for your time. To learn more, call 1-866-RECOVERY or 305-243-1571. All calls are confidential.

Oily or Dry Skin
Leslie Baumann, M.D., of the University of Miami Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute is looking for women ages 20-40 who are willing to participate in a study to investigate whether there is a gene that can be identified to determine oily or dry skin types. If you are interested in participating, contact a member of the research staff at 305-531-5788 or cosmeticresearch@med.miami.edu.

Mild to Moderate Acne
Leslie Baumann, M.D. of the University of Miami Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute is looking for men and women ages 12 to 45 who have moderate acne and are currently not on any treatment medication to participate in a research study to determine whether a new product significantly improves acne. The study consists of five visits spread over a three-month period. You will be compensated $35 for each visit. If interested, please contact a member of the research staff at 305-531-5788, cosmeticresearch@med.miami.edu, or www.derm.net.

Melasma Study
Heather Woolery-Lloyd, M.D., of the Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute, is looking for female subjects between the ages of 18 and 50 who have melasma, brown spots on the face, to participate in a research study to determine whether an oral sunscreen is safe and effective in the treatment of melasma. If interested, please contact a member of the research staff at 305-531-5788 or cosmeticresearch@med.maimi.edu.

Leslie Baumann, M.D., professor and director of the Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute, is recruiting for studies on photoaging, fine lines, wrinkles, crow's feet, sun damage, brown spots, uneven pigmentation, acne, keloids, scars and loose skin on the abdomen or upper arms. If you are interested in any of these studies, please call our research team at 305-531-5788 or visit the Web site at www.derm.net. Studies will take place at the Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute located in the Miami Heart Institute, 4701 N. Meridian Avenue, Nichol Building, Suite 7450, Miami Beach.

The Department of Neurology, Cerebrovascular Division is conducting a research study to validate a Functional Outcome Measure in patients that suffered visual field loss after brain injury. For more information and eligibility criteria, please contact Iszet Campo-Bustillo at 305-585-1851 or icampo@med.miami.edu.

The Departments of Neurology and Radiology are conducting research studies examining age-related changes in cognitive and motor function, along with new brain imaging techniques. Participants should be healthy adults over age 40 with no history of major neurologic or psychiatric disease. Eligible participants will be asked to participate in activities to assess verbal/non-verbal skills and motor function. Some studies include an MRI at no cost. If you are interested in participating, please call 305-243-7529 to speak to the study coordinator.

The Departments of Neurology and Radiology are conducting research studies to examine changes in cognitive and motor function, along with new brain imaging techniques. Participants must be between the ages of 40 to 79 with Parkinson’s disease. Eligible participants will perform activities to assess verbal/non-verbal skills and motor function. MRI's, if conducted, will be done at no cost. If you are interested in participating, please call 305-243-7529 to speak to the study coordinator.

Physician-Patient Relationship Study
The Center on Aging is conducting a study on the impact of patient-acquired Internet health information on physician-patient relationships. The study will explore how this information affects office visits and the overall positive and negative outcomes that result from patients using the Internet for health information. If you are a physician who sees patients and are interested in participating in a brief interview study, please contact Jessica Hirth at 305-355-9020 or jhirth@med.miami.edu.

El Centro, Center of Excellence for Hispanic Health Disparities Research, is recruiting participants for the following studies:

 •Project VIDA (Violence, Intimate Relationships & Drugs Among Latinos)
Elias Vasquez, Ph.D., and colleagues are recruiting Hispanic men ages 18 to 55 for a pilot study exploring substance abuse, violence, risky sexual behaviors and associated conditions among this population. The results from this study will be used for interventions to reduce these conditions among Hispanic men in South Florida.

•Preventing HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Hispanic Women
Nilda Peragallo, Dr.P.H., is recruiting Hispanic women ages 18 to 50 for a randomized trial of a group intervention to reduce sexual risk behaviors and intimate partner violence. To be eligible, women must have been sexually active during the 3 months prior to enrollment.

•Treating Behavior Problems and Promoting Healthy Development in Hispanic Adolescents
Daniel Santisteban, Ph.D., is recruiting Hispanic adolescents ages 11 to 14 and their families for a randomized trial comparing family-based and individually-based treatments to reduce current behavior problems and prevent future substance use and risky sexual behaviors in adolescents. To be eligible, the adolescent must be Hispanic and have difficulties in two of the following four areas: conduct, depression, attention deficit, or family conflict. 

For more information on studies conducted by El Centro, contact Tania Lopez at 1-888-262-9481 or tlopez1@miami.edu.

The Division of Geriatrics is recruiting men and women age 65 and older to take part in a study of vitamin D in the prevention of frailty. Participants are asked to come for six visits over six months for blood and urine tests. If you or someone you know are interested, please call Silvina Levis, M.D., at 305-243-4330.

The Islet Cell Transplant Center at the Diabetes Research Institute is recruiting subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus to participate in research studies that involve transplantation of islets, the insulin producing cells of the pancreas. For more information and eligibility criteria, call the department at 305-243-5321 or view the clinical trials section of the Web site www.diabetesresearch.org.

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.

Jennifer 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.

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.

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).

Do you or 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:

The Department of Psychology and the Division of Biobehavioral Oncology, Prevention, Epidemiology and Control at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center are conducting an NIH-funded intervention study to examine the effects of stress management on health and quality of life in women recently diagnosed with breast cancer (stages 0-III). Participants must have recently had surgery for breast cancer, have not yet begun chemotherapy or radiation treatment, and have fluency in English. Eligible women will participate in weekly group sessions over a period of five weeks and be compensated for completing three assessments (questionnaire packet, saliva collection, and blood draw). If you are interested in participating or would like further information about this study, please contact the study coordinator, Janny Rodriguez, at 305-284-2220 or jannyr@miami.edu.

The Department of Psychology and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Division of Biobehavioral Oncology are conducting an NCI-funded quality of life research study with patients recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Participants are eligible if they have been diagnosed with prostate cancer within three months and have not begun treatment. All participants will be followed for two years and will undergo psychosocial and medical assessments. Participants will be reimbursed up to $250 for their time and effort. If you or someone you know may be interested in more information about this study, please call 305-243-3329 or e-mail madeline@miami.edu.

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. Participants will be reimbursed for time and effort. Three psychosocial/medical assessments are also required. If you are interested in this study or would like more information, please call 305-243-3329, or e-mail madeline@miami.edu.

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

• 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 ug/kg) of IL-7 given by SQ injection once a week for 3 weeks. Up to $275 in food certificates provided.

• An investigational HIV treatment vaccine, Vacc-4x, for adults with HIV on antiretroviral therapy. The study vaccine is made in the laboratory and includes four protein copies from the HIV virus. It is given with Leukine a blood cell growth factor used to help improve one’s response to the vaccine. Participants must be taking antiretroviral therapy for at least 12 months, have an HIV RNA <50 copies/ml and CD4 cells > 400 /cmm and be 18 to 55 years of age. Six vaccinations with Vacc-4x and Leukine or placebo over 18 weeks will be received with a two out of three chance of receiving Vacc-4x, followed by up to 24 weeks of antiretroviral therapy interruption following vaccinations. The Study includes 16 study visits over 52 weeks with monthly visits during therapy interruption and safety guidelines for restarting therapy. Study visits include a medical history, physical examination and immune studies. Vaccinations may cause skin reactions and flu like symptoms. Each participant will receive $25 in food certificates for each completed study visit.

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.

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.