Recent Stories and Publications Featuring VCCBH Members
Posted January 4, 2025
"ALS is a devastating disease, but researchers like Kathryn H. Morelli, Ph.D., a Target ALS Springboard Fellow and now an assistant professor at the University of Vermont, are driving innovations that bring us closer to effective treatments. Focused on developing RNA-targeted therapies for C9orf72 ALS, one of the most common genetic causes of the disease, Kathy’s work showcases the critical importance of collaboration, cutting-edge tools, and determination..."
Posted January 4, 2025
"ALS is a devastating neurodegenerative disease, and while there is no cure, ongoing research continues to offer hope for more effective treatments. An individual at the forefront of these efforts is Dr. Kathryn Morelli, an assistant professor
in the Department of Neurological Sciences at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine, whose research aims to address the complex challenges of ALS, building on work she did with her postdoctoral mentor Dr. Gene
Yeo. Working closely with Abby Kirch, a PhD student in her lab, Kathy and her team are focused on developing RNA-targeted therapies for ALS, particularly for the C9ORF72 mutation, one of the most common genetic causes of the disease..."
Posted December 4, 2024
"On November 16, Larner Assistant Professor of Medicine Debora Kamin Mukaz, Ph.D., M.S., moderated a panel on science policy advocacy titled “How can we engage scientists from historically underrepresented backgrounds in policymaking
and advocacy?” at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2024 conference in Chicago. The panelists were AHA President Keith Churchwell, M.D.; past AHA President Michelle Albert, M.D., M.P.H.; Emelia Benjamin,
M.D., Sc.M., associate provost and professor of medicine and epidemiology at Boston University; and Carl Streed, Jr., M.D., M.P.H., associate professor of medicine at Boston University..."
Posted December 3, 2024
"Neurodegeneration in spider brain leads Vermont neuroscientists to groundbreaking discovery in Alzheimer’s-affected human brains
Vermont Business Magazine Researchers from Saint Michael’s College and the University
of Vermont have made a groundbreaking new discovery that provides a better understanding of how Alzheimer’s disease develops in the human brain..."
Posted October 23, 2024
"In a recent paper published in Nature Communications titled “Endothelial Piezo1 Channel Mediates Mechano-Feedback Control of Brain Blood Flow,” Osama Harraz, Ph.D., Bloomfield Early Career Professor in Cardiovascular Research
and assistant professor of pharmacology at the Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, and his team of researchers from American and European institutions reveal that Piezo1, a lesser-understood protein, acts as a “brake”
system, helping blood flow return to normal after neural activity..."
Posted October 23, 2024
"Leptin is an adipokine associated with obesity and with hypertension in animal models. Whether leptin is associated with hypertension independent of obesity is unclear. Relative to White adults, Black adults have higher circulating
leptin concentration..."
Posted October 23, 2024
"The HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study, a multi-site prospective longitudinal cohort study, will examine human brain, cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotional development beginning prenatally and planned through early
childhood..."
Posted October 16, 2024
"Osama Harraz, Ph.D and his team of researchers at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine have made a breakthrough that could help in the effort to better understand the causes of dementia and how to stop it..."