Jennifer Hauser M.S.: Ms. Hauser graduated from Davidson College with a B.A. in Medical Ethics. In 2006, she graduated with her M.S. degree in Molecular Epidemiology from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Molecular Epidemiology. Ms. Hauser’s research has focused on genetic susceptibility to cancer, including projects on melanoma, lung cancer, and breast cancer. Under Dr. Stella Davies’ mentorship, Ms. Hauser’s dissertation will explore subsequent malignant neoplasms in childhood cancer survivors, in terms of gene-environment interactions. While supported by the MECEH training grant, Ms. Hauser has completed all coursework for both the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, published two original research manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, been competitively selected for two oral and two poster presentations at the national and international levels, received two travel awards, and been chosen for the prestigious AACR Pathobiology of Cancer Workshop.

James Klyza, M.S.P.H.: Mr Klyza graduated in 1994 from Cornell University with a BA focusing on a premed curriculum. In 2000, he received a MSPH from the University of Kentucky and worked in industrial hygiene/safety for the next five years. He has now completed his second year of didactic coursework and is currently full-time in the 3rd year.

He completed his wet lab rotation under Dr. Anil Menon PhD. The research assistance covered methylation of the CpG islands and, as a consequence, deactivation of the leptin gene. The leptin gene product is associated with satiety. Lab protocols learned include DNA extraction from tissue/gels, restriction enzyme digests, agarose gel electrophoresis, spectrophotometry, PCR amplification, bisulfite treatment, ligation of and transformation with plasmids, clonal culturing, and preparations before sequencing.

Mr. Klyza now conducts multivariate analysis of the bench laboratory data. S. Paranthaman, Ph.D, in Dr. Menon’s laboratory, is the mentor that obtains the raw data and is in charge of the project. Mr. Klyza and Dr. Paranthaman are collaborating to publish literature on the subject of epigenetics. In this year, Mr. Klyza also plans on an epigenetic analysis of the Framingham datasets, submitting his qualifying exam proposals, and completing the few remaining courses.

Heidi Sucharew M.S.: Ms. Sucharew is working towards a PhD in Biostatistics. She obtained her MS degree in Biostatistics from the University of Washington in 2002. Afterward, she worked as a statistician for cystic fibrosis clinical trials and research studies. Ms. Sucharew began the MECEH training program July 2006. Her interests include structural equation modeling (SEM). She is currently using SEM techniques to evaluate early exposures to diesel exhaust and indoor air pollutants on skin prick test response.

We also train postdoctoral physician fellows who have completed three years of their resident training and who will then focus three years on a pediatric or obstetric research fellowship or related area in MECEH. The MECEH training program provides the opportunity for those in pediatric and adolescent medicine or obstetrics to learn cutting-edge molecular biology and toxicology methodologies and develop research skills for the identification of earlier markers of exposure, effect and susceptibility in children. Those fellows will obtain an MS degree although occasionally one may pursue a PhD. We have between 15 and 20 physician fellows in the program from the departments of pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology and family medicine.

Maninder Kalra M.D.: Dr. Kalra is a MD with previous training in Pediatrics, Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine and Sleep Medicine. He graduated from the MS Epidemiology program at University of Cincinnati in 2002. Dr. Ralph Buncher, Dr. Grace Lemasters and Dr. Raouf Amin have been his research advisors throughout his graduate studies and pulmonary fellowship. Drs Lemasters and Amin have continued in that role since Dr. Kalra was appointed faculty at University of Cincinnati. Dr Kalra’s primary research has been in determining factors that explain susceptibility to OSA in children. He has 9 articles as first/senior author articles and 3 co-authored articles that have been accepted or published in peer reviewed journals. He was accepted into the PhD Epidemiology program in 2005. He will complete all laboratory and coursework requirements in Winter, 2007. Dr. Kalra is interested in pursuing genetic risk factors for OSA in children with emphasis on gene-environment interactions for his PhD thesis. He seeks to accomplish this under the strong mentorship of Drs. LeMasters and Dr.Chakraborty.

Jennifer Kaplan, M.D.: Dr. Kaplan is a clinician-scientist with training in Pediatrics and sub-specialty training in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. She has an interest in understanding the inflammatory cell-signaling pathways associated with sepsis and critical illness. Her research currently is focusing on the nuclear receptor PPARγ, which is a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in lipid and glucose metabolism, atherosclerosis and inflammation. Under the mentorship of Basilia Zingarelli, M.D., Ph.D. in the Division of Critical Care Medicine, she is investigating the effects of uncontrolled systemic inflammation on the PPARγ signaling pathways in children in the pediatric intensive care unit. These findings may help to elucidate the role of PPARγ in critical illness and the complex interplay between glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism and inflammation.

Oyebola Ladeinde, D.D.S.: Dr. Ladeinde is a post doctoral fellow in the MECEH program. She began working on her MS in clinical epidemiology September, 2006. Though she was born in Wisconsin, she grew up in Nigeria and obtained the equivalent of Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in Ibuban. Upon graduation from dental school, she joined the National Youth Service Corp and worked in a rural village in the western part of Nigeria. While working in this village she was jolted by “the realities of the appalling state of our healthcare system…the children were the worst hit and the combination of poor nutrition and compromised immunity was taking a deadly toll on the children in the village.” She has just begun her course work and will begin doing wet laboratory rotations. Her aspiration upon completion of the MS in epidemiology is to work at the World Health Organization or a similar type of agency to improve the health of children in developing countries.

Amy Rohs, M.D.: Dr. Rohs is a medical doctor with previous training in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, and Occupational and Environmental Medicine. She is interested in the causation and prevention of environmental and occupational lung disorders through research done with the strong mentorship of Dr. Lockey. This research involved workers at a distant expansion plant exposed to vermiculite ore containing asbestiform fibers. She believes there is a need to understand the genetic susceptibility of the diseases caused by these fibers, because of not only the occupational exposure but also the large actual and potential environmental exposures secondary to its wide use in industry and residential settings.

Laura Stadler, M.D.: Dr. Stadler completed a Pediatric Infectious Disease Fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s and Molecular Epidemiology fellowship through Molecular Epidemiology Child Environmental Health (MECEH) Training (T32) Grant 7/05-6/07. She is an Assistant Professor @CCHMC in Infectious Disease with an appointment to Hematology/Oncology, and was named a CCHMC Dean’s Scholar 7/07-6/08. Her primary research advisor in infectious diseases is David I Bernstein, M.D., M.A., her research advisor in epidemiology is Kim Dietrich, Ph.D, and her Molecular Epidemiology training director is Grace LeMasters Ph.D. She is currently receiving NIH Loan Repayment for Clinical Research regarding Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infections in Adolescents.

Dr Stadler’s M.S. thesis research focused on the “Seroprevalance and Risk Factor Analysis of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infections In Adolescent Females” (DMID 04-039) the first of a three staged study entitled “A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase II Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of the Cytomegalovirus gB/MF59 Vaccine in Preventing Systemic Cytomegalovirus Infections in Healthy Adolescent Females (DMID 04-039)”, a multi-center seroepidemiology and vaccine trial of the leading vaccine candidate. A similar study in adolescent males “Seroprevalence and Risk Factor Analysis of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infections In Adolescent Males” (DMID 05-0126) is ongoing as well.

Both studies are sponsored through Cincinnati Children’s Vaccine Trial Evaluation Unit (VTEU) with Vanderbilt University, and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and consist of three separate parts: a Seroprevalence study, Prospective Risk Factor Analysis (coupled with a vaccine trial), and a Prospective Viral Load Analysis. Participants will complete a comprehensive questionnaire of potential risk factors regarding: demographics, household contacts, environmental exposures, and sexual practices that will be analyzed with regard to CMV serostatus.

The study aims are: to determine the seroprevalence of CMV infections and risk factors associated with prior infection, to prospectively determine the incidence of CMV and the risk factors of acquisition, and to determine the magnitude and duration of the CMV virus in blood, urine, and saliva (in those who become infected during the study). These studies will allow us to better understand the transmission of CMV, identify women of childbearing age likely to become infected, design prevention, counseling, and education strategies, and adequately power a vaccine trial including adolescent males. Dr Stadler is pursuing a Ph.D. in Epidemiology with this research serving as her dissertation topic.

Another training initiative is the recruitment of postdoctoral PhD or MD candidates. These postdoctoral positions are for either epidemiologists/clinicians interested in gaining more molecular laboratory skills or for molecular biologist/geneticist for gaining skills in epidemiology.

Robert W. Holdcraft, Ph.D.: Dr. Holdcraft completed his Ph.D. in Genetics at the University of Washington in December 2003. He is now working as a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Peter Stambrook in preparation for a career as an independent researcher in the fields of developmental biology and genetic regulation of male reproduction. By participating in the MECEH training program, Dr. Holdcraft hopes to continue his postdoctoral training and gain valuable experience in the theories and application of molecular epidemiology to basic and applied science research. With Dr. Stambrook he is pursuing a project investigating the role of the Beta-catenin gene (Ctnnb1) in testicular development and spermatogenesis.

Aim #1: To examine the role of mutations in Ctnnb1 in normal testicular development and spermatogenesis. Descriptive studies have suggested an important function for Beta-catenin in regulating normal mammalian spermatogenesis as well as a possible role in the development of testicular cancer. This study will use mouse models of Ctnnb1 gain- and loss-of-function mutations in the somatic and germ cells of the testis to empirically determine the function of Beta-catenin in maintaining male reproductive capacity.

Aim #2: To examine the downstream effectors through which Beta-catenin exerts its function in the testis. Our preliminary studies have demonstrated a role for Beta-catenin function, acting through the somatic Sertoli cells, in the regulation of germ cell development in the testis. To determine how Beta-catenin accomplishes this function, we will identify its downstream transcriptional targets within the testis and evaluate the function of validated targets in establishing and/or maintaining testicular homeostasis.

Erin Baker, M.S.: Ms. Baker was a FLEX student who was admitted as an undecided predoctoral student and was funded for one year to take predoctoral classes from the PhD programs throughout the COM. Upon completion of the first year, the FLEX student is guaranteed admission into the program of their choice. Ms. Baker chose the MECEH program. She has completed all course and laboratory requirements, and is currently finishing her MS thesis work and preparing to take the qualifying examinations. She is currently doing research with Dr. Lanphear and Dr. Dietrich in the Cincinnati Children’s Center. Her current research project examines current practices and attitudes surrounding the issue of returning results of testing done in a research. Her doctoral dissertation will examine molecular methods to assess environmental exposures and neurodevelopment in young children. Last year she rotated through Dr. Kathleen Dixon’s lab doing research on DNA repair, and Dr. Deka’s laboratory conducting DNA amplification and visualization techniques.

Jocelyn Biagini, M.S.: Ms. Biagini learned hands-on basic epidemiology methodology as part of the NIEHS study on diesel exhaust, allergy and atopy in children (LeMasters, PI). Thus far, she has learned questionnaire development, protocol development, subject recruitment, project management, retention strategies and planning and providing educational materials. She also has gained experience writing a grant proposal and in doing research presentations and publications. During spring and summer quarters 2003, she rotated in Dr. Hershey’s genetics lab learning tissue culture and isolation of cell receptors that play a role in allergy. She has also been analyzing a data set from the Children’s Hospital Allergy Clinic. She has finished her master’s thesis (December 2004, as a precursor to her PhD). Her research title “The Effects of ETS and Other Indoor Exposures on the Upper Respiratory Health of Infants” was a poster presentation at the Society of Epidemiology, June 2004 and has been submitted to the Journal of Pediatric Allergy & Immunology. She has completed all course and lab requirements and is preparing for the written and oral qualifying exams in June 2005. Her doctoral dissertation will examine genes related to nicotine metabolism and respiratory disease in infants.

Holly Ippisch, M.D.: Dr Ippisch’s primary research has been in utilizing non-invasive forms of cardiac imaging to evaluate cardiac function in children with obesity. Dr. Stephen Daniels and Dr. Thomas Kimball have been her primary research advisors throughout her cardiology fellowship, and they have continued in that role during her participation in the MECEH program. Under the guidance of Drs. Daniels and Kimball, Dr Ippisch has gained experience in writing grant proposals, as well as evaluating and presenting research data. Her laboratory experience has primarily been in the Non-Invasive Cardiac Imaging and Hemodynamic Research Laboratory at CCHMC. She has made 6 presentations and has two articles in preparation. She has completed all laboratory requirements and will complete her coursework requirements Spring, 2005 Dr. Ippisch is interested in pursuing non-invasive ways of evaluating cardiac disease in children with emphasis on utilizing echocardiography for her MS thesis. She began the fellowship 7/2003 and will finish her fellowship June 2006.

Salma Musaad, M.D.: Dr. Musaad is an MD who is a predoctoral student and is examining the genetics of neurodegenerative and complex diseases. By spring 2005 all course requirements will be completed and all lab rotations are now finished. She advanced her experience in Taqman PCR and analysis in Dr. Deka’s laboratory. Her rotation work has successfully culminated in the presentation of a poster titled “An association study of 11β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11HSD1) polymorphisms in Samoans with type 2 diabetes and obesity” at the Society for Epidemiologic Research June 2004, and the abstract is published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. During her rotation in the laboratory of Dr Kathleen Dixon (a former MECEH preceptor until moving to the Univ. AZ), Musaad derived proteins from Coomassie Blue stained 2D gels of Hela cell lysates that were specifically immunoprecipitated with anti RPA p-34 antibody. Dr. Musaad has gained valuable experience with the techniques of immunoprecipitation of proteins from Hela cell lysates, isoelectric focusing of protein samples using the Ettan IPGphor system, SDS gel electrophoresis (2 Dimensional), silver staining, Coomassie staining of 2D gels, Western blotting, ECL Plus Western blotting detection system and interpretation of results using the Storm imager. In fall 2004, Dr. Musaad performed an independent study with Dr. Grace LeMasters in the CCAAPS study, where she will take part in the grant writing process, and will develop hands on experience with conducting field work and clinic visits. She is currently in the process of applying for a Minority Fellowship from NIEHS.

Patrick Ryan, Ph.D.: Mr. Ryan has completed laboratory rotations with Drs. Menon, Tomlinson, and LeMasters. Dr. Craig Tomlinson directs the Genomics and Microarray Laboratory (GML). This state-of-the-art facility is equipped with a 48-pin microarrayer, two dual laser fluorescent scanners, an Agilent Bioanalyzer, a tetrad thermocycler for 96- and 384-well plates, and a robotic machine dedicated to high-throughput liquid dispensing. The microarrayer has the capacity to spot approximately 60,000 DNA samples per slide, and the scanner reads Cy3- and Cy5-fluorescent tagged, target cDNA. Ryan conducted a rotation in the GML during the fall of 2002. He learned tissue culture techniques, RNA isolation, and how to convert RNA tocDNA for microarrays. He recently (December 2004) completed his M.S. thesis (requirement preceding PhD) entitled "Is it traffic type, volume or distance? Wheezing in infants living near truck and bus traffic” which was just resubmitted after review to the J. of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Last year he presented his M.S. thesis in a spotlight session at the national meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research, June, 2004. He has co-authored two additional publications.

Andrew Smith, M.D.: Dr. Smith began the program June, 2004 after graduating from Princeton for undergraduate and from Northwestern Medical School and finishing his residency at the UC COM. He began classes in the summer 2004 and has begun a laboratory rotation winter 2005. His research will examine oxidative stress genes and their relationship to environmental exposures to tobacco smoke and development of respiratory disease in children. By the end of spring quarter he will have finished all required course work and written his proposal for the Master’s thesis statement of intent.

Meet our Graduates

Jessica Graus Woo, MHSA, Ph.D.: Dr. Woo graduated from the University of Cincinnati Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics in December 2004, and completed the Molecular Epidemiology in Children’s Environmental Health (MECEH) training program in 2003. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Dr. Woo’s research focuses on genetic and environmental factors that predispose children and adolescents to obesity and its metabolic complications, such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Her dissertation research explored the particular role of the adipocyte protein adiponectin as a biomarker for protection against these poor metabolic outcomes, and the role of genetic polymorphisms in the adiponectin gene, ACDC. Results from her dissertation research are published in such journals as the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Diabetes and Obesity Research. Since the completion of her dissertation, Dr. Woo has extended her research to include infancy as another critical period in the development of predisposition to obesity and its complications. To pursue this research, she received pilot funding from the University of Cincinnati Center for Environmental Genetics to examine the genetic susceptibility to the environmental contaminant bisphenol A (BPA) and its metabolite bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) with respect to adiponectin and insulin resistance during pregnancy. She has also submitted a grant to the NIH to study the role of adiponectin in human milk.

Dr. Woo’s participation in the MECEH training program was instrumental in her current research path. Practical laboratory training in genotyping prepared her to undertake the significant genotyping required for her dissertation research. In addition, her work centers on the use of molecular genetics and the use of molecular biomarkers in epidemiologic research, which would not have been possible without the coursework undertaken through the MECEH training program.

Mark Chames, M.D.: Dr. Chames has finished his fellowship and has completed all laboratory rotations and course work. His “wet” laboratory experiences with Drs. Dan Nebert, Howard Sherzter and Leslie Myatt. He is currently finishing his MS thesis on the role of the glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL) enzyme in the development of preeclampsia. GCL, which catalyzes the rate-limiting step in glutathione synthesis, is a heterodimer composed of catalytic and modifier subunits. Using polymerase chain reaction, he is studying the levels of expression of the constituent proteins in placentae from normal and preeclamptic placentae. In addition, he examined the enzymatic activity of GCL in these placentae, using high performance liquid chromatography to quantify the levels of gamma-glutamylcysteine, the immediate product of this reaction. His hypothesis is that preeclampsia is associated with altered placental expression of GCLC and GCLM as measured by Real Time Polymerese Chain Reaction. He is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology and has published 5 articles.

Erin Haynes (Shelton), Dr.P.H.: Dr. Haynes’ primary advisor was Dr. Lanphear. She finished her post-doctoral fellowship December 2004. With Dr. Groden she conducted DNA purification and analysis using PCR during spring quarter 2002. The training grant supported her presentation at the International Society of Environmental Epidemiology entitled, “Vitamin D Receptor Fok1 Polymorphism and Blood Lead Concentration in Children”. She also received a travel award from the ISEE/ISEA to present her research. This work is published Environ Health Persept 2003. She currently has three research projects underway and taught a course last fall semester (’03), “Community Exposure Assessment.” Her first project, apart of the NIEHS Children’s Center, was to develop and evaluate a pesticide test kit for families. She wrote and directed a video to accompany the Home Pesticide Sampling Kit, which covered aspects of pesticides and pesticide collection pertinent for families with small children. She also developed a Healthy Homes Resource Center at the Better Housing League. Her second project is to investigate the neurobehavioral effects of low-level manganese (Mn) exposure. This research was submitted as an R21 to NEIHS on Feb 1, 2004 and to the EPA on Feb 11, 2004. It has been funded by NIEHS.

Cynthia Molloy (Briede), M.D.: Dr. Molloy has completed her MS degree from the DEB. Her “wet” laboratory experience was with Dr. Stella Davies and Dr. Marsha Willis-Karp. In Davies’ laboratory, Dr. Cynthia Molloy examined the feasibility of using buccal brushing for genetic studies in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). She learned to use cytology brushes to collect buccal cells in children with ASD, isolate DNA from the buccal cells using a modified PUREGENE DNA isolation technique, quantifying DNA spectrophotometrically, and PCR amplification and genotyping GSTT1 and GSTM1using TaqMan. In Dr. Marsha Willis-Karps’ laboratory, Dr. Cynthia Molloy learned state-of-the art methodologies in immune phenotypes in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Dr. Molloyisolated and cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells and measured cytokine levels in supernatant of cultured cells using ELISA techniques.

Michelle Stevenson, M.D.: Dr. Stevenson has completed all required credits towards her MS in Epidemiology. She is a pediatric emergency medicine fellow who developed her research interests in acute asthma with Dr. Hershey. She has developed a project entitled “IL-4 and IL-13 Signaling Pathways: Allelic Variants, Biomarkers, and Correlates to Functional Outcome in Pediatric Asthma.” This work was presented at two national meetings. Through this project she has obtained significant “wet” lab experience in Dr. Hershey’s lab in learning flow cytometry and PCR and did a dry lab experience with Dr. Shukla in the Center for Biostatistical Services. Dr. Stevenson has submitted for a K08 award in June, 2004 as she transitions into her academic career. Dr. Stevenson received a Fellow-In-Training Travel Scholarship to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Annual Meeting in March, 2004. She has three publications and one in progress and two presentations at national conferences.

Steve Sutton, M.D.: Dr. Sutton is a second year Fellow and will finish the program June 2005. His fellowship research has centered on egg food allergy. He presented preliminary data at the annual meeting of the American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology in November, 2002. He also has an interest in immunology and is a co-investigator of an ongoing study concerning the effects of anti-IL-5 on individuals with hypereosinophilic diseases. Another project is in Dr. Gurjit K. Hershey’s laboratory looking at gene-environment interactions and the development of asthma. He is currently helping design the study and will be working on collecting patient genetic and environmental data as well as analyzing the data. Dr. Sutton will graduate summer 2005. His primary research advisor is Drs. LeMasters, Hershey and, Assa’ad the latter two in the division of Allergy and Immunology. He has 3 publications and 1 book chapter and has submitted for a K08 award.

Diane Smelser, Ph.D.: Ms. Smelser has worked in the Department of Environmental Health for over 10 years as a full time Research Associate and a part-time PhD student. She completed her BS degree in Biology and a BA degree in Secondary Education at the University of Cincinnati. She has worked on numerous epidemiology studies within the department, gaining experience in areas of basic epidemiology methodology such as questionnaire development, maintaining a cohort and data analysis. Six years ago she joined Dr. Ranjan Deka’s laboratory in population genetics, and decided to pursue genetic epidemiology for her dissertation work. While in his laboratory, she has become proficient in DNA extraction, PCR, genotyping, protocol development, whole genome scans, fine mapping and data analysis. She has worked on several projects in Dr. Deka’s lab, including “Candidate Genes involved in Type 2 Diabetes in the Samoan Population”. This work was presented at the American Society of Human Genetics meeting, and is currently under review for publication. She has also worked on projects involving the genetics of obesity, stroke, Parkinson’s disease. In September 2004, she became a full-time student after completing her PhD Qualifying exam in August, 2004. She is currently working on her dissertation, with Dr. Deka as her advisor. Her dissertation topic is “Candidate Gene (BEACON and Adiponectin) Association with Metabolic Syndrome in the Pacific Samoan Population”. She will be collecting the genotype data and using the demographics of the population to analyze the data. The study will include children as well as adults. She plans on finishing her dissertation by December, 2005.

Stavra Xanthakos, M.D: Dr. Stavra Xanthakos is in her third year in the fellowship program and has completed all courses and will have completed her labs by spring 2005. She will graduate summer 2005. Her primary research advisor is Dr. Daniels. Her area of research will be directed toward pediatric gastroenterology. Her master’s thesis research is the prevalence and determinants of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in young adult women. Her central hypothesis is that high visceral adiposity, high body mass index (BMI), insulin resistance syndrome, high dietary intake of fat and sugar and lower socioeconomic status in childhood enrollment of study subjects and data analysis is in progress. (Note: Dr.Xanthakos is being funded on the MECEH years 01 and 03 but for the year effective September 2003 she was funded from another NRSA training grant fund (PI Dr. Mitch Cohen in Pediatrics at the CHMC).

University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati and the College of Medicine have long recognized the importance of identifying and recruiting highly qualified minority students. The University is celebrating 36 years of sponsorship of a Graduate Minority Fellows and Scholars Program. During that time, more than 1200 minority students have benefited from the Program. The Office of Research and Advanced Studies offers awards to underrepresented students through the auspices of the Albert C. Yates Fellows and Scholars Program. Yates Fellows & Scholars not only receive financial assistance, but free tutorial services, mentoring, and academic counseling. Members of groups which are underrepresented in specific university programs, and who are from the United States and its territories are eligible to apply. More than 1,500 students have pursued their educational goals through the auspices of the Yates Fellows and Scholars Program. There are currently 15 Yates Fellows and Scholars at the University of Cincinnati, of which 3 reside in the College of Medicine. For Fall 2003, 26 Yates Fellows were named at the university; 3 of these were awarded to incoming graduate students in the College of Medicine. In addition, Dr. Allene Wallace Reed scholarship fund is being developed at the university for second year doctoral students of African-American descent.

To address the current need for increased applications from underrepresented domestic students, the Office of Research & Graduate Education, responsible for centralized support of recruitment of graduate students for the College of Medicine, is targeting historically black colleges and universities. In 2001, the Office of Research & Graduate Education sent representatives to present seminars at historically black colleges, including Tennessee State University in Nashville, Spelman and Morehouse Colleges in Atlanta, and Wilberforce and Central State Universities in Ohio. Among other activities described, recruiters and minority graduate students from the College visit campuses with larger minority student bodies and good science programs to present information about our predoctoral programs in biomedical sciences.

Several plans have been laid out to increase minority enrollment. We are establishing a formal partnership with minority colleges. Two potential colleges with minority students have been identified to serve as partners to develop a partnership or pipeline between the programs. One is the aforementioned Xavier-Tulane pipeline program with the support of Dr. John McLachlan at Tulane University. Dr. Deka plans outreach activities specifically to colleagues at Howard University. We are also exploring opportunities to link with a program in our tri-state area and contacts are underway.

The University sponsors a Minority Graduate and Professional Visitation Program that attracts about 100 students from more than 20 historically Black colleges and universities. The students spend 2-1/2 days on campus visiting graduate departments and programs in which they are interested, including those in the college of medicine, and attending programs and social events, including a banquet, especially designed for this occasion. Visiting students have ample time to interact with faculty and students to learn more about programs of interest. Prospective students are provided with information regarding admission policies and financial aid, and subsequent follow-up is done on a departmental basis, usually by telephone contact.

The College of Medicine also actively participates in the Environmental Health Career Opportunities (EHCO) Program and Albert Yates’ Fellows and Scholars Program. The EHCO Program is designed to involve undergraduate and/or professional school students who belong to ethnic groups currently underrepresented in biomedical science professions in contemporary biomedical research during the summer months. The Program emphasizes comprehensive research, educational and motivational experiences that focus on biomedical research and education careers related to environmental health and associated sciences. The ECHO Program expects to support four participants each year. The Program provides use of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, University Hospital, Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Research Foundation, and affiliated biomedical research facilities and core resources for summer research, education and training. These students often matriculate as predoctoral students in one of the environmental health sciences.

Department of Environmental Health
The MARC program has been particularly successful for the Department of Environmental Health. The College of Medicine provides a descriptive summary of research opportunities available to gradate students to MARC program advisors at about 250 undergraduate institutions, inviting applications from their MARC-supported students for summer research experience at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. In past summers, several MARC students have worked in the laboratories of several MECEH faculty.

The Department of Environmental Health also are represented at the NIGMS Minority Programs Symposium by two University of Cincinnati representatives, one faculty member and one graduate student, and as indicated earlier, we participate in the graduate Minority Fellows and Scholars Program, which funded 50 students throughout the University last year.

Epidemiology and Biostatistics
The Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics currently has several minority students. A past African-American student was recipient of the NIEHS Minority Fellowship Award and is currently employed at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Another Hispanic student also has a position in molecular Epidemiology at NIOSH. Two minority students are recipients of the Albert Yates Fellowship. The Division also has trained several physician fellows who have gone on to faculty positions at Howard University and Morehouse School of Medicine.

Plan For Responsible Conduct of Research

Grievances and Misconduct Procedure
It is possible that a trainee may at some point feel unfairly treated. Any such grievance will be handled initially as a matter internal to the Program. The individual concerned should contact a member of his/her Committee who will then notify the Program Director and convene the committee to hear the complaint(s) and attempt to resolve the difficulties. Should this fail, an ad hoc grievance committee will be formed by the Director; this committee will be comprised of two of the training faculty and one trainee. This committee will be responsible for negotiating a mutually acceptable solution. In the event that this proves impossible to achieve, the established Institutional grievance process will be followed.

Ethics and Honesty in Research
The University of Cincinnati and the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and the future MECEH will make a serious effort to educate trainees to be responsible scientists. Upon matriculation into the MECEH Program the students will be given two booklets to read, the UC Code of Student Conduct and the NAS. Faculty and trainee honesty, in all aspects of academic and personal life, is essential and is expected behavior. Should the integrity of a member of the training faculty or a trainee be called into question, disposition of the matter will follow College and University Guidelines which are already in place. Should a participant in the MECEH Program be found to have engaged in misconduct or unethical behavior, he or she will be asked to withdraw from the Program. It is important there be a forum to provide guidance regarding issues relating to ethics in science. The Medical College offers a course titled "Ethics in Research," which is presented in the Winter quarter and which all trainees, postdoctoral and predoctoral, are required to attend. The course examines a series of issues including animal welfare, human experimentation, what constitutes misconduct and institutional response to misconduct, and responsible authorship and publication practices.