Second Annual Award
Winners
2001-2002
This year, there were 28 submissions from 51 faculty members
representing 10 academic units in the competition. From this
cohort, ten President's Faculty Scholarship Awards were given
to 21 faculty members representing ten academic units for
a total of $46,000. In addition to this sum of money, the
deans of these schools and centers matched the $46,000 figure
to bring the grand total of support for faculty research
and scholarship to $92,000. The two-year total for awards
given now stands at $172,000.
Dr. Scott Schatz - HPD College of Optometry
Dr. Howard Hada - HPD College of Medical Sciences
Dr. Andrew Rogerson - Oceanographic Center
Dr. Ken Seger - HPD College of Optometry
Dean David Loshin - HPD College of Optometry
Dean Harold Laubach - College of Medical Science
Dean Richard Dodge - Oceanographic Center
Project Title: Studies on Microbial Adherence
to Hydrogel Contact Lens Surfaces+
Abstract: A large segment of the American
and global population with refractive errors has made contact
lenses their choice of vision corrective device. In fact,
more than 32 million individuals are presently wearing contact
lenses in the United States. Most of these individuals are
wearing hydrogel or soft contact lenses, which consist of
a flexible plastic that contains anywhere from 36% to 74%
water. The advantage of soft contact lenses when compared
with rigid gas permeable lenses is their ease of use and
greater comfort for most people. A disadvantage of soft contact
lenses is that proteins and lipids tend to form deposits
on their surface. Moreover, these deposits together with
the microorganisms inhabiting the overlying biofilm comprise
the major factor leading to corneal diseases associated with
contact lens wear. The microorganisms that are indigenous
to the ocular tear film include bacteria and yeasts. Poor
cleaning and disinfection of contact lenses, including the
use of tap water, can lead to acanthamoeba infections of
the cornea. The goal of the proposed studies is to examine
ways to limit microbial adherence to these surface deposits
and to the ocular biofilm. Our experimentation will involve
the study of biofilm formation and the ability of a non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drug, sodium salicylate, to retard or alter
biofilm formation on a hydrogel contact lens. We will also
measure whether or not microbial growth in the biofilm and
microbial adherence to the contact lens surface is reduced.
Quantitative analysis of the data obtained will be performed
using the Chi Square Test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA),as
well as by descriptive analysis. New information regarding
the formulation for hydrogel contact lens design and disinfection
systems may help to reduce the risk of infectious keratopathies
Dr. Sharon Boesl - Graduate School of Humanities and
Social Sciences
Dean Honggang Yang - Graduate School of Humanities
and Social Sciences
Project Title: Creating and Understanding
Change for High Parental Conflict
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to
gain a better understanding of high parental conflict that
interferes with and confounds the resolution of divorce.
High conflict divorces are of particular concern when children
are involved because the intense, negative interactions of
these parents has been consistently linked with behavior
and emotional problems in children. Court systems have begun
to offer programs of services to parents aimed at reducing
conflict. In the case of high conflict parents, our local
judges/general masters have begun to refer parents to NSU's
Family Therapy Associates for more intensive treatment. Family
therapists at our center have little knowledge about the
circumstances that prompt a judge to take this action because
when parents are asked why the judge sent them to therapy,
they report being confused by and resentful of the judge's
action. In this study, my intent is to gather information
and better understand the referral process and it's implications
in the treatment of high conflict parents. The methodological
design of this study has two components. In phase one of
this study, I plan to use semi-formal focus groups. The use
of focus groups is specifically chosen as a means to construct
a questionnaire. The questionnaire will be distributed to
family court judges/judicial officers across the state of
Florida to inquire about their experiences with high parental
conflict cases and what actions they are taking/not taking
with regard to addressing parents' negative behavior. Phase
two of this study will include distributing the survey and
gathering and analyzing data from the survey. The results
of this study will become an important component in a larger
study where I am designing a treatment manual to guide family
therapists in their clinical work with this population.
Dr. Appu Rathinavelu - HPD College of Pharmacy
Dean William Hardigan - HPD College of Pharmacy
Project Title: Standardization of Gene Expression
Array Analysis Using Rapidly Growing Cancer Cells
Abstract: VEGF (vascular endothelial growth
factor) is one of the most important biochemical factors
that control cancer growth via promoting tumor angiogenesis.
Understanding the mechanisms regulating angiogenesis is considered
as valuable for the prognostic evaluation of cancers where
angiogenesis plays a major role in both growth and metastasis.
For the first time we have obtained preliminary evidence
which suggests that an oncogene product called MDM2, a p53
neutralizing protein, might also control VEGF synthesis.
However, we need to conduct further studies to fully explain
the nature of this intracellular link. Elucidating the pathway
that is linking MDM2 to VEGF production would lead to the
development of new modes of cancer screening to predict tumor
angiogenesis and cancer metastasis. The same findings would
also help in designing gene therapy based treatment strategies.
Therefore, to further establish the link between MDM2 and
VEGF we have proposed a detailed study involving multiple
Gene Expression Array (GEArray) analyses and requested funding
from NCI. In that proposal the NCI was informed that the
P.I's laboratory would be standardizing the GEArray techniques
and obtain preliminary data by the end of 2001. By standardizing
the GEArray techniques and developing preliminary data, the
P.I.'s laboratory would be in a position to readily analyze
the gene expression status in several other cancer cell lines,
when NCI funds his project, and complete the proposal study
within the specified time. Therefore the P.I. is requesting
research funds to standardize the GEArray technique and conduct
preliminary studies. The GEArray is one of newest technologies
used by scientists to quickly analyze the expression status
of multiple genes. The P.I. is well versed with molecular
biology techniques, therefore he would be able to standardize
this analysis and develop preliminary data with GI-101A breast
tumor and HL-60 leukemia cells. The results would be presented
in the IUBMB meeting that is going to be held in Bergen (NORWAY)
on May 4-8 in 2002.
Dr. Veljko Dragojlovic - Oceanographic Center
Dean Richard Dodge - Oceanographic Center
Dean Norma Goonen - Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences
Project Title: Ruthenium Tetroxide Oxidation
of Iodoalkanes
Abstract: The broad, long-term objectives
of this project are to develop a methodology for ruthenium-catalyzed
oxidation of haloalkanes, in particular iodoalkanes. Specific
goals of the project are to develop a catalytic system for
oxidation of iodoalkanes and apply it initially on simple
model compounds, followed by application of the developed
methodology to the synthesis of compounds of biological interest.
This project will form a basis for a long-term research program.
In future the work will be extended to oxidation of bromo-
and chloroalkanes and, ultimately chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
Data will be analyzed and interpreted according to the accepted
standards in the area of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, including
the American Chemical Society's criteria of identity and
purity of new compounds. A publication by another research
group and my preliminary work indicate that the likelihood
of success is high. The results will be submitted for publication
in peer reviewed journals and possibly presented at a conference.
Acceptance of presentation at a conference is also subject
to a peer review. The proposed project calls for involvement
of two centers. While most of the work will be done at the
Oceanographic Center, a significant part of the analytical
work will be done at the Farquhar's Parker Science Annex.
In addition, Farquhar Center's undergraduate students will
have an opportunity to take part in the proposed research.
After the initial results are published, an application for
external funding will be made with the National Science Foundation
(NSF), the American Chemical Society (ACS), or the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA).
Dr. K.V. Venkatachalam - HPD College of Medical Sciences
Dean Harold Laubach - HPD College of Medical
Sciences
Project Title: Role of Acetyl CoA carboxlase-2
on the production of Malonyl CoA, the hunger signal, that
controls Neuropeptide Y synthesis in Brain
Abstract: Neuropeptide Y (NPY) plays a pivotal
role as a hormone that controls the feeding behavior. During
hunger NPY mRNA gene expression is triggered, resulting in
the production of NPY. NPY then acts in hypothalamus stimulating
the feeding process. Although wealth of information is available
regarding NPY and its role in hunger/feeding (1), how exactly
NPY itself is controlled is poorly understood. We have two
informations' that are not connected. 1) It has been reported
that malony1 CoA the product of acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC)
plays a crucial role in controlling NPY production (1). 2)
It has also been shown that insulin receptors are located
in the brain, which upon binding with insulin stops NPY synthesis
(2,3). Exactly how insulin arrests NPY synthesis in brain
is not understood. After a heavy carbohydrate meal, when
the glucose concentrations are high, it triggers B-cells
to secrete insulin. Insulin stimulates the anabolic sequences
of glycogen synthesis (in liver and muscle) and fat synthesis
(in liver and adipose tissue). When the storage pools are
saturated, the subsequent level of regulation is to arrest
feeding. In this proposal I hypothesize that insulin crosses
the blood brain barrier, binds to its receptor in the brain,
and modulates the activity of ACC. ACC the forms malonyl
CoA in vivo (ACC-1 and ACC- 2). ACC-2 has been proposed to
be involved in the synthesis of malonyl1 CoA that plays a
regulatory role during fatty acid synthesis. Thus in this
study I will measure the enzyme activity of ACC-2 in the
brain during hunger, well fed and under the influence of
imtracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of insulin. This
study will eventually result in drug designs that are targeted
towards ACC-2 in controlling excess feeding.
Dr. Elisa Ginter - HPD College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dr. Joel Spalter - HPD College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dean Anthony Silvagni - HPD College of Osteopathic
Project Title: The Screening of Medical
Students for Serologic Markers of Prior Infection by Hepatitis
B Virus in Conjunction with the Administration of Hepatitis
B Vaccine
Abstract: Immunization with hepatitis B
vaccine is often done without prescreening the potential
vaccine recipients for evidence of prior hepatitis B virus
infection. Prior infection by hepatitis B virus is not a
contradiction to the use of hepatitis B vaccine. The prevalence
of hepatitis B infection, and the cost of the vaccine combine
to render the strategy of immunization without prescreening
less expensive than prescreening and then immunization only
those without evidence of prior hepatitis B virus infection.
Prescreening will diagnose chronic hepatitis B infection,
for which effective therapy exists. The likelihood that prescreening
will be the less expensive strategy and that prescreening
will diagnose chronic hepatitis B infection is directly related
to the population prevalence of prior hepatitis B virus infection.
The Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
immunizes all incoming medical students with hepatitis B
vaccine without prescreening. These medical students are
a population more diverse that of the United States as a
whole and in which the estimate of a prevalence of prior
hepatitis B infection of 5 % is likely to be an underestimate.
This study is a serologic screening of the incoming medical
students for markers of prior hepatitis B infection. This
will generate an estimate of the prevalence of chronic hepatitis
B infection. Additionally, it will allow the generation of
an equation (Equation 1), relating the cost benefit of surveying
for markers of prior hepatitis B vaccine to demographic characteristics
of the population to be surveyed. This equation will then
be utilized to select the optimal economic strategy for hepatitis
B immunization in a population of any degree of diversity.
Dr. Kimberly Shaw - Family Center
Dr. Roni Leiderman - Family Center
Dr. Debbie Glasser - Family Center
Dr. Carol Reed - HPD College of Allied Health
Dr. Cyril Blavo - HPD College of Allied Health
Dean Wendy Masi - Family Center
Dean Raul Cuadrado - HPD College of Allied Health
Project Title: The Attachment Assessment
Project of the BABY Center
Abstract: The proposed Attachment Assessment
Project of the BABY Center will examine the effect of caregiver
attachment, attunement and stress on early infant-caregiver
adaptation and regulation. The regulation of preverbal
parent-infant communication (attunement) is considered essential
for progress infant self-regulation, cognition, speech and
socioemotional developmental outcome and increase the potential
for child abuse and neglect. Previous research on risk factors
has typically examined isolated factors and has been atheoretical.
The proposed research is attachment theory-based, which
has the advantage of being a comprehensive biopsychosocial
model that directly informs and drives specific interventions.
From this perspective, "fussing" behavior may serve important
survival functions as strategies for signaling and regulating
caregiver proximity and availability when a caregiver is
otherwise unresponsive. Moreover the caregivers' own attachment
style (i.e. their cognitive affect belief systems and interpersonal
coping strategies) may impact their ability to decode and
appropriately respond to infants' cues. The specific objective
of the proposed project is to identify and quantify the risk
of insecure attachment style and caregiver stress on the
infant's self regulation and overall adaptation in infant-
caregiver dyads referred for dysregulation (N=36) and non-referred
dyads (N=36) matched by age of infant (6weeks to 6 months).
The data will be used to inform the intervention process
implemented in the Better Attachment for Baby & You
(BABY) Center. This interdisciplinary diagnostic and intervention
service for families with infants also serves as a training
center for the Family Center, Occupational Therapy and
Pediatric Medicine. Quantification of degree of risk for
poor adaptation and dysregulation among young infants may
lead to an emphasis on earlier identification and intervention
of distressed dyads.
Dr. Grady Campbell - HPD College of Medical Sciences
Dean Harold Laubach - HPD College of Medical
Sciences
Project Title: Gene Expression Profiling
of Skeletal Muscle Insulin Response
Abstract: The goal of this research project
is to gain understanding of the insulin signaling pathway
in skeletal muscle. Microarray analysis will enable the simultaneous
interrogation of 8000 genes to determine which are regulated
in skeletal muscle by insulin. In addition to its role in
posture and locomotion, skeletal muscle is a metabolic organ
that mediates the majority of glucose homeostaasis such that
energy needs of all tissues of the body are best met. Type
2 diabetes, with over ten million diagnosed cases in the
United States and over 100 million worldwide, arises from
defects in the insulin-signaling pathway may generate leads
to develop more effective theraputic strategies. Gene expression
levels of 8000 genes will be compared between the two conditions.
Genes that are observed to be insulin-responsive will be
placed in a theoretical framework based on their function
to attempt to understand as fully as possible role of gene
expression insulin signaling. This framework will suggest
those genes that deserve further study to elaborate their
role in insulin signal transduction. The information generated
in this way will expand our knowledge of the mechanisms that
underlie insulin control of skeletal muscle gene expression
and their relevance to whole body energy homeostasis.
Dr. Maria Hernandez - HPD College of Pharmacy
Dean William Hardigan - HPD College of Pharmacy
Project Title: Synthesis and Biochemical
Testing of Serine Protease Inhibitors
Abstract: The present proposal outlines
the synthesis and biochemical testing of 10 novel inhibitors
of serine protease of Trypsin-like specificity. Compounds
synthesized under this proposal will be evaluated for their
inhibitory activity toward trypsin, thrombin, and granzyme
A. Optimization of the side chains required for inhibitory
potency will be pursued using Modde 5.0 software, a windows
program for the generation and evaluation of statistical
experimental designs. Sculpt software will also be used to
optimize the chemical properties needed for enzyme inhibition.
The best inhibitors will be used to probe the role of Granzyme
A in the apoptotic pathways of tumor cells and of myocytes
after ischemic injury. Programmed cell death, apoptosis,
involves very distinctive changes within the target cell
nucleus, including margination of the chromatin, DNA fragmentation
and breakdown of the nuclear envelope. Cytolytic granule-mediated
target cell apoptosis is effected, in part, through synergistic
action of the membrane-acting protein perforin and serine
proteases, such as granzymes A or B. Cytotoxic Natural Killer
(NK) and T lymphocytes (CTL) recognize and kill virally infected
cells and tumor cells without affecting bystander cells.
One important mechanism of killing, used by both T and NK
cells, involves exocytosis of cytotoxic granules. Specific
therapies designed to enhance or reduce the susceptibility
of individual cell types to undergo apoptosis could form
the basis for a new treatment modality of many human diseases.
Granzyme inhibitors than can block apoptosis in myocytes
have potential for development as therapeutic agents in the
treatment of ischemic heart injury. Granzyme inhibitors also
hold potential in the treatment of host-vs-graft disease,
autoimmune diseases and neurodegenerative diseases such as
Alzheimer's disease. Publishing of this work in peer-reviewed
journals and further funding for continuation of work will
be sought.
Dr. Jennie Lou - HPD College of Allied Health
Dr. William Kelleher - Center for Psychological Studies
Dr. Joseph Pizzimenti - HPD College of Optometry
Dean Raul Cuadrado - HPD College of Allied Health
Dean Ronald Levant - Center for Psychological Studies
Dean David Loshin - HPD College of Optometry
Project Title: The Study of the Effectiveness
of Rehabilitation and Wellness Programs for People living
with Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract: Need/Background: Multiple Sclerosis
(MS), a progressive demyelinating disease of the central
nervous system, affects over 2.5 million people worldwide.
MS significantly impacts the general health status (GHS)
and quality of life (QOL). An extensive literature review
reveals a gap in the rehabilitation and MS literature in
providing evidence of the effectiveness of wellness programs
to improve the GHS and QOL for people living with MS. Rationale:
The changing health care system, rising health care costs,
and the limited scope of solely biomedical interventions
for MS necessitate examining alternative approaches to improve
the QOL for people with MS. QOL has become a primary outcome
in the provision of healthcare services, and is the predominant
measure in clinical research. Occupational therapy (OT) intervention
promotes QOL and well-being through maximizing clients' engagement
in meaningful and purposeful activities. Methodological design:
This proposal randomized clinical trial uses a repeated measure
design to examine the long term effects (three months after
the termination of treatment) of an OT wellness approach,
compared to a traditional OT rehab approach and a social
activity program (control), on the outcome of QOL and GHS
in people living with MS. Data Analysis: The multivariate
analysis of variance (MANOVA) will be used to explore the
relationships among the dependent variables of the two treatment
and the control groups. Significance: In examining the effectiveness
of the OT Wellness interventions on the GHS and QOL of people
with MS, this proposal study will 1) contribute to much needed
evidence-based practice for OT; 2) lay a foundation for wellness
services for people with MS; 3) create opportunities for
interdisciplinary (OT, Psychology, and Optometry) collaboration
to strengthen treatment approaches for clients with MS; and
4) generate preliminary data to support further major federal
grant applications.
