Research

In a recent study published in the American Heart Association (AHA) journal Hypertension, scientists from the Larner College of Medicine, including Timothy Plante, M.D., M.H.S., Russell Tracy, Ph.D., Debora Kamin Mukaz, Ph.D., M.S., Mary Cushman, M.D., M.Sc., and Neil Zakai, M.D., M.Sc., explored the intricate relationship between specific inflammatory biomarkers and hypertension—with some surprising results.

Associate Professor of Pharmacology Karen Glass, Ph.D., was recently honored with an award totaling more than $380,000 from the MCA program for her proposed project, “Application of Cryo-Electron Microscopy to Determine the Structure of Epigenetic Regulatory Complexes.” Glass is the first UVM faculty member to receive an NSF MCA award.

Larner study underscores the critical importance of COVID-19 vaccination in preventing illness from the virus.

Professor of Neurological Sciences Margaret A. Vizzard, Ph.D., was invested as the inaugural holder of the Colleen A. and Gregory L. Holmes Green and Gold Professorship in Neurological Sciences Research.

A recent study by Benjamin Littenberg, M.D., and Constance van Eeghen, Dr.P.H., in collaboration with colleagues across the U.S., explores integrative behavioral health (IBH) interventions to address the intertwined challenges of mental and physical health. IBH interventions do show benefits; however, systemic challenges in the health care landscape hinder widespread adoption, underscoring the need for a unified and effective patient care approach.

Autoimmune disease is frequent in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, but studies have been inconclusive about how the preexistence of autoimmunity affects survival in these patients. A new study by UVM Cancer Center member Diego Adrianzen Herrera, M.D. uses an epidemiologic analysis to clarify that issue.

(NOVEMBER 16, 2023) Scott Tighe, technical director for the Advanced Genome Technologies Core, along with Julie Dragon, Ph.D., and Kirsten Tracy, Ph.D., were featured on WCAX-TV in a story about their µTitan project, which was launched into space on November 9.

Most children are exposed to adversity by the time they reach adulthood, but a portion of children stay free of mental illness despite trying circumstances. A recent study led by Professor of Psychiatry William Copeland, Ph.D., and supported by UVM researchers, challenges the notion that childhood resilience is common and explores possible solutions to this crisis via public health initiatives.

(NOVEMBER 10, 2023) A lyophilized whole-cell mix of 10 bacterial species customized by Scott Tighe, technical director at the University of Vermont’s advanced genomics lab, and colleagues, was sent to the International Space Station aboard the SpaceX CRS-29 Cargo Dragon Resupply Craft mission on November 9.

There are currently no approved vaccines available to prevent Lyme disease in humans, but one may be on the way. UVM’s Vaccine Testing Center recently launched a clinical study to investigate the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of a Lyme disease vaccine.