Scholarly Activities and Opportunities
Clinical Heading link
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COVID-19 Registry for Research Projects
The core UIC database is housed in REDCap and is derived from data extracted retrospectively from UI Health patient electronic medical records. UIC investigators can apply to use this core database by submitting a Research Concept Form, which will be reviewed by the Registry’s Steering Committee. Upon approval, the investigators will be provided with a deidentified dataset with the requested variables, following the IRB approved process.
Stipend: No
Contact Name: PI Kirstie Danielson, PhD
Contact Email: kdaniel@uic.edu
Division: Infectious Diseases
End Date: 2024 -
Air filtration to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outcomes in a high-risk urban population of U.S. military veterans
Project Description: The primary goal of this HUD-funded study (ILHHU0049-19) is to investigate the effectiveness of stand-alone air filtration for improving indoor air quality (IAQ) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outcomes in a high-risk urban cohort of 80 U.S. military veterans with COPD. Additional secondary goals of the study are to: (1) investigate housing-related factors that may contribute to COPD exacerbation; (2) investigate the utility of using low-cost sensors for indoor air pollution epidemiology studies and for providing actionable or useful information on the quality of their indoor air to patients and their physicians, and (3) evaluate the costs and benefits of using stand-alone air filtration to improve IAQ and COPD outcomes. Participants will be recruited from the Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center using a community-based participatory process in which stakeholders, including patients, physicians, and local nonprofits, will assist in the development of research objectives, recruitment, retention, and dissemination of results. The study objectives will be met by combining measurements of environmental conditions and indoor and outdoor air quality (using both research-grade and low-cost sensors) with housing condition assessments, respiratory questionnaires, and records of clinical outcomes.
This study addresses significant unmet household and medical needs among high-risk Veterans with COPD and is co-led by investigators at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.
Minimum training: Resident, Fellow
Site: Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Israel Rubinstein, MD
Contact Email: irubinst@uic.edu
Division: Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep & Allergy
Post Date: 02.15.2022
End Date: 2024 -
Clinical and Procedural Outcomes for Patients being treated with an invasive approach for Pulmonary Embolism (PE) at UIC and JBVA
Project Description:We are focused on tracking procedural and clinical outcomes for patients undergoing lytic therapy or catheter based thrombectomy
Minimum training: Student, Resident, Fellow
Site: UIC
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Adhir Shroff/Khalil Ibrahim/Amer Ardati
Contact Email: arshroff@uic.edu
Division: Cardiology
Post Date: 02.15.2022 -
Clinical and Procedural Outcomes for Structural Heart Disease Procedures at UIC and JBVA
Project Description:We are focused on tracking procedural and clinical outcomes for patients undergoing TAVR, TEER and LAAO procedures.
Minimum training: Student, Resident, Fellow
Site: UIC
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Adhir Shroff/Khalil Ibrahim
Contact Email: arshroff@uic.edu
Division: Cardiology
Post Date: 02.15.2022 -
Diet and Microbiome Related Projects (Multiple)
Project Description: The Mutlu Lab has multiple projects examining the role of diet and microbiome in the development of colon polyps, breast cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease. The lab has a large tissue bank with corresponding metadata. A number of ongoing projects examine steroid hormone metabolism by gut bacteria in human specimens; methanogens in diverticulosis and colon polyps; and the role of diet interventions in inflammatory bowel disease. Projects that examine environmental factors that affect the gut microbiome are also ongoing. Clinical projects involving tissue and data collection from patients can also be completed for candidates who need longer term projects.
Most work will involve human subjects. Thus, for most projects, before any research can take place, human subjects’ training and certification will need to be completed using the UIC CITI training modules. Those who contemplate to do bench work will also be required to complete Bioraft training, some of which may be in person. As such, candidates are asked to contact us in advance of their contemplated research time. Those who have a strong background in advanced math and/or statistics and/or bioinformatics are highly encouraged to work with us on our existing data.
Minimum training: Student, Resident, Fellow
Site: Gastroenterology- 840 S Wood, 7th Floor
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Ece Mutlu, MD, MS or Lucille Ray, PhD
Contact Email: emutlu@uic.edu or lray5@uic.edu
Division: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Post Date: 03.07.2022
End Date: 2024 -
Genetic predictors for kidney disease in a longitudinal cohort of patients with sickle cell disease
We are investigating clinical and genetic predictors for kidney disease in a longitudinal cohort of patients with sickle cell disease. This has led to projects investigating the effects of hemolysis (e.g. cell-free hemoglobin and heme exposure) and of environmental risk factors (e.g. tobacco, diet) that may contribute to the pathophysiology of kidney disase. We are also testing our candidate genes and pathways in vitro (tubular, endothelial, and podocyte cells) and in vivo in a transgenic sickle mouse model.
Minimum training: resident, fellow
Site: UIC
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Santosh Saraf, MD
Contact Email: ssaraf@uic.edu
Division: Hematology
Post Date: 05.28.2022 -
Health Disparities and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease
Health Disparities and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease: Epidemiological research involving health disparities and cardiovascular outcomes in chronic kidney disease.
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Endoscopic Mucosal Resection Database
Retrospective
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EUS elastography for pancreatic cancer
Prospective
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Dental foreign body ingestion
Retrospective
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Esophageal database
Prospective and retrospective
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Diet, visceral adiposity and fatty acids in acute pancreatitis severity
Prospective
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Sleep/circadian related glucose metabolism research
This project looks at the different ways glucose metabolism affects sleep and the circadian rhythm
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Environmental exposure to metals/metalloids as drivers of cardiometabolic disease
This is an epidemiological project using data from Starr County, Texas, a predominantly Mexican American region of the country with markedly high rates of diabetes and diabetes-associated mortality. The goal is to understand the relationship between urinary metal/metalloid levels and cardiometabolic outcomes. Skills of use include advanced statistical approaches such as SAS, STATA, and R.
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Disparities in Endocrine Care
Literature review to document disparities in care across all realms of endocrinology, including diabetes, thyroid, pituitary, adrenal, calcium/bone, etc. It is anticipated that this will be a collaborative project with endocrine fellows and medical students. This is a new initiative.
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Land Use, Urban Planning, and New Urbanism in the Genesis and Prevention of Cardiometabolic Diseases
Land Use, Urban Planning, and New Urbanism in the Genesis and Prevention of Cardiometabolic Diseases: Initially this will be a literature review examining evidence linking land use to cardiometabolic disorders with a primary focus on diabetes. Extension of this work will examine how land use patterns across Chicago and the U.S. may influence cardiometabolic disease rates. It is anticipated that this will be a collaborative project with endocrine fellows and medical students.
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Clinical Care as a Vehicle of Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals
Clinical Care as a Vehicle of Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: This project builds off of prior work discussing the ethical implications of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in medications and medical devices. Opportunities here would include further evaluations of existing literature as well as potential collaborations with the College of Pharmacy to better understand the extent of the risk. There is potential here to pursue various facets of clinical care.
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CRESCENT Project
1. CRESCENT project: building the foundation. Training the trainees on sickle cell disease (IRB approved)
2. Menopause in sickle cell disease (IRB approved) -
The MoSAIC (immune Signatures and Clinical outcomes in AP)
The MoSAIC (immune Signatures and Clinical outcomes in AP) study is a prospective, observational study of 4-year duration designed to develop an accurate and early prediction tool for severe acute pancreatitis (AP) and define a distinct immunologic profile compared to moderate AP (MAP) in a large ethnically diverse AP population across multiple U.S. clinical sites.
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Study of a PST-Trained Voice-Enabled Artificial Intelligence Counselor (SPEAC)
Study of a PST-Trained Voice-Enabled Artificial Intelligence Counselor (SPEAC) for Adults with Emotional Distress: Project Description: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/5zEMeGHv8k-cUrP4eZmT2A/project-details/10031359
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Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease
Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common structural genetic disorders of hemoglobin, affecting around 100,000 patients in the U.S.,1 most often African-Americans.2 Advances in the care of SCD have improved life expectancy and quality of life but the improved survival of patients has resulted in a rise in the incidence of chronic cardiopulmonary manifestations of the disease such as myocardial infarction (MI), pulmonary hypertension (PH), left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and cardiac arrhythmias.3 Although cardiac autonomic dysfunction, ischemic episodes, QT interval prolongation and myocardial fibrosis have been proposed, the underlying mechanisms for the increased incidence of cardiac arrhythmias in SCD patients remains unclear.4,5,6 Previous studies showed that a prolonged QT interval and ventricular tachyarrhythmias were significant predictors of worse outcomes including greater hospital length of stay and increased mortality as compared to a cohort without arrhythmias.7,8 However, the risk factors associated with increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with SCD remains unknown. We hypothesize that hemolysis per se leads to structural and biochemical changes that increase the risk of developing ventricular arrhythmias in patients with SCD. We will evaluate the incidence and prevalence and identify risk factors for the development of ventricular arrhythmias in hereditary hemolytic anemias (HHA) in a single center, retrospective analysis. Utilizing our well-characterized registry of 1039 HHA patients, we will examine demographic, comorbid, laboratory, and echocardiographic parameters and correlate cardiac structural and hemodynamic parameters and hemolytic profile with ventricular arrhythmia development.
Quality Improvement Heading link
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Addressing Microaggression in Medicine
Addressing Microaggression in Medicine: The goal of this Quality Improvement project is to address microaggressions in the workplace in an effort to improve the wellness and mental well-being among our trainees, faculty, and staff, enhance patient care, and increase DEI within the DOM. Our primary outcomes are improving workplace inclusivity, decrease burnout, and improving well-being among our trainees, faculty, and staff.
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Jesse Brown for Black Lives (JB4BL) Clinical Committee
Jesse Brown for Black Lives (JB4BL) Clinical Committee: JB4BL is an interdisciplinary task force whose mission is to address racial disparities in clinical care through anti-racism advocacy, educational initiatives, and quality improvement projects at the Jesse Brown VA. There are currently four active sub-committees:
Clinical Algorithms Subcommittee (Aim: advocating for the removal of race in clinical algorithms that exacerbate health disparities)
Substance Use Disorder Subcommittee (Aim: Improve management of substance use disorder through evidence based clinical approaches and not criminalization) -
Racism in Medical Curriculum
Racism in Medical Curriculum, racial identity development, health impact of police exposure
Translational Heading link
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Islet cell transplant (ICT) as Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)
Islet cell transplant (ICT) can functionally cure type 1 diabetes (T1D) by restoring insulin-producing β-cells. However, human donor islets are scarce and many recipients convert back to T1D. While ICT is slowly improving, few consistent predictors of ICT outcomes, in particular recipient factors, have been identified. Consequently, there is a critical need to identify modifiable recipient predictors of ICT success. The long-term goal is to further improve ICT precision medicine. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify modifiable recipient baseline factors that predict ICT clinical outcomes, to focus the development of feasible, effective pre-ICT interventions to enhance success. Our compelling preliminary data found that greater β-cell function up to one year following first ICT was significantly related to recipient baseline levels of markers of better vascular health: higher HDL, lower blood pressure, narrower carotid intima-media thickness (all clinically available), and lower intercellular adhesion molecule-1. These data are the basis for our central hypothesis: favorable recipient baseline vascular health predicts better ICT outcomes, mediated by enhanced recipient insulin sensitivity and lower β-cell death. Please contact PI for further information.
Stipend: No
Contact Name: PI Kirstie Danielson, PhD
Contact Email: kdaniel@uic.edu
Division: Endocrinology
End Date: 2024 -
Study of a PST-Trained Voice-Enabled Artificial Intelligence Counselor (SPEAC) for Adults with Emotional Distress (Phase 1)
Project Description: Our lab has previously identified claudin-5, a tight junctional protein, as a critical mediator of endothelial cell barrier function and we have reported that the upregulation of claudin-5 is associated with lung vascular protection in a mouse model of acute lung injury (ALI). Existing evidence of increased claudin-5 expression by estrogen coupled with clinical evidence of gender differences in ALI outcomes suggest that the administration of estrogen may represent a novel ALI therapy. This project would investigate the effects of estrogen on lung endothelial cell signaling and function, both in vitro and in vivo, in a mouse model of ALI.
This is a StARR research opportunity. No prior research experience required.
Minimum training: Student, Resident, Fellow
Site: COMRB
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Jeffrey Jacobson, MD
Contact Email: jrjacob@uic.edu
Division:Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep & Allergy. StARR Research
Posting start date: 02.15.2022
End Date: 2024 -
GI
Our work in mice has demonstrated that loss of PI3Kg (simulating system inhibition) or feeding a high fat diet (HFD) enriched with omega-3 fatty acids (w3 HFD) suppress the pancreatic tumor phenotype. However, when combining w3 HFD with PI3Kg loss we observed far worse pancreatic disease and NAFLD nearing steatohepatitis (as reported in these mice on a w6 HFD). This supports that PI3Kg suppression (and perhaps other cancer targets) plus HFD, regardless of the type of fat, induces far worse PC, pancreatitis, and NAFLD. Our preliminary clinical study demonstrates the presence of underlying FLD in 14% of all AP patients compared to 2.6% in controls, further establishing this potential in humans. Similar findings were observed in PC patients, as nearly 50% had liver disease (FLD) compared to patients without PC. These correlations suggest that a subpopulation of PC and AP patients are primed for developing compromised metabolic states that hinder or even reverse the anticancer effects of certain drugs. To further support these clinical findings, we want to peruse the medical records to establish larger patient cohorts and better define underlying FLD in PC and AP patients and the type of FLD associated with these diseases. Other clinical parameters will be considered as we build out this data based on these findings.
Minimum training: resident, fellow
Site: UIC
Stipend: No (*some individual projects have potential for stipends)
Contact Name: Paul Grippo, PhD
Contact Email: pgrippo@uic.edu
Division: Gastroenterology
Posting start date: 06.14.2022 -
Pulmonary
Collection of BAL and blood samples from ARDS patients (and MICU controls for comparison), and associated generation of clinical database, to evaluate for associations with genetic expression, gene mutations, protein biomarkers, and inflammatory cell function. Goals are to provide novel insights into mechanisms of ARDS development and to generate clinically-useful predictors for prognosis and therapy selection.
Minimum training: resident, fellow
Site: UIH
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Steve Dudek, MD
Contact Email: sdudek@uic.edu
Division: Pulmonary
Posting start date: 06.27.2022 -
Study of a PST-Trained Voice-Enabled Artificial Intelligence Counselor (SPEAC) for Adults with Emotional Distress (Phase 1)
Study of a PST-Trained Voice-Enabled Artificial Intelligence Counselor (SPEAC) for Adults with Emotional Distress (Phase 1): Depression and anxiety are the leading causes of disability and lost productivity, and are often underdiagnosed and undertreated owing to access, cost, and stigma barriers. Novel and scalable psychotherapies are urgently needed. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) offer a transformative opportunity to develop intelligent voice assistants as virtual health agents accessible on personal devices. Meanwhile, major advances in human neuroscience have fueled a paradigm shift to study brain mechanisms underlying behavioral health interventions. Leveraging emerging science in these transdisciplinary areas, this project aims to develop and rigorously test a novel voice-enabled, AI virtual agent named Lumen, trained on Problem Solving Therapy (PST), for patients with moderate, untreated depressive and/or anxiety symptoms. The project will investigate the effect of Lumen on engagement of a priori neural targets—amygdala for emotional reactivity and dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) for cognitive control—as putative mechanisms. The project has 2 phases: R61 (years 1-2) and R33 (years 3-5). Focusing on Lumen development and refinement as well as pilot testing, Phase 1 has 2 specific aims. Aim 1 on Lumen development and refinement will proceed in 3 stages: (1) focus groups (n=24 participants), 2) scenario-based clinician evaluations, and (3) a formative user study (n=20 participants). Aim 2 is to pilot test Lumen in a 2-arm randomized clinical trial (pilot RCT), among 60 participants with moderate, untreated depression and/or anxiety who are randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive PST with Lumen (n=40) on a secure study iPad or be on a waitlist (n=20). At weeks 0 and 14 participants will complete functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess neural target engagement as well as validated surveys of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) (e.g., depressive and anxiety symptoms, functioning, quality of life). In addition, participants will complete ecological daily diaries of mood, stress, appraisal and coping for 7 days every 2 weeks during the 14-week follow-up period. The Phase 1 milestones are (1) establishing the functionality, usability, and treatment fidelity of Lumen; and (2) demonstrating feasibility, acceptability, and neural target engagement. Achieving these milestones will provide the basis for the future R33 phase (Phase 2) focused on examining target engagement and PROs in a larger 3-arm RCT by comparing Lumen with a waitlist control arm and an in-person PST arm.
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The ALOHA Trial
The ALOHA trial: Addressing Quality of Life, Clinical Outcomes, and Mechanisms in Uncontrolled Asthma Following the DASH Dietary Pattern: Project Description: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/qKpOCxOvFUa9yemAI8aLNg/project-details/10295652
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Microbiome in health and disease
Microbiome in health and disease: Our research interests are host-microbiome interactions in health and disease. Our research is supported by the NIH, DOD, VA, and a few other research awards. https://cancer.uillinois.edu/member/jun-sun-phd/
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Immunometabolism biomarkers in high-risk lung cancer screening patients and patients with early-stage lung cancer
Immunometabolism biomarkers in high-risk lung cancer screening patients and patients with early-stage lung cancer.
Determine staging improvement since enacting high risk lung cancer screening clinic at UIC.
Quality Improvement: evaluation of OSH referrals to thoracic oncology clinic and potential improvement of external referral process.
Basic Science Heading link
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Islet cell transplant (ICT) as Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)
Project Description: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the 4th leading cause of cancer related deaths. Hexokinases (HK) are the proximal enzymes in glucose metabolism and the recently discovered novel 5th HK, hexokinase domain containing 1 (HKDC1) has been shown to be upregulated in HCC where it has a role in HCC development and progression by modulating cellular metabolism. However, the exact mechanism by which HKDC1 modulates cancer cell metabolism remains unknown, which is the focus here. In our preliminary studies, using multiple cellular and animal models, we have demonstrated our novel findings that HKDC1 modulates glucose flux through its interaction with the mitochondria thereby mediating YAP (an HCC driver) stability and influencing HCC progression. We further show that glucose can affect HKDC1 protein stability in HCC. Our overall hypothesis is that HKDC1 mediates glucose metabolism via its interaction at the mitochondria to drive YAP-mediated proliferation of HCC in a glucose-dependent manner. This hypothesis will be examined through three independent Aims. First (Aim 1), we will determine the mechanistic basis of glucose mediated regulation of HKDC1 protein stability in HCC by using cellular models of HKDC1 gain/loss. Second (Aim 2), we will define the role of HKDC1’s interaction with the mitochondria in HCC progression by using our unique liver-specific HKDC1 gain/loss models coupled with HCC mouse models. And lastly (Aim 3), we will determine the mechanism by which HKDC1 modulates glucose flux to mediates YAP stability and enhance HCC proliferation using both in vitro and in vivo models coupled with genetic and pharmacological tools. These three Aims will together establish the role of HKDC1 in development of HCC and examine the feasibility of targeting it for therapy.
Minimum training: Student, Resident, Fellow
Site: 835 S Wolcott Ave, Lab 602
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Wasim Khan, MD
Contact Email: Mkhan268@uic.edu
Division: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Posting start date: 02.15.2022
End Date: 2024 -
Role of selenium and selenoproteins in arsenic-induced metabolic dysfunction
Role of selenium and selenoproteins in arsenic-induced metabolic dysfunction: This project is geared towards medical students. Skills of use include molecular and cell biology techniques, e.g. qRT-PCR, immunoblotting, SDS-PAGE, etc.
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Basic research in type 2 diabetes and obesity
Basic research in type 2 diabetes and obesity: The Layden group focuses its research on type 2 diabetes and obesity. Our laboratory-based studies look at novel genetic pathways involved in these diseases utilizing transgenic mouse models and studies with human tissues. A few examples include investigating how the gut microbiota mediates these metabolic diseases through nutrient sensing receptors, developing novel receptor agonists to treat these diseases, and understanding how glucose is intracellularly metabolized through novel genetic pathways. Please contact us if interested, to discuss possible projects.