August 2024
Congrats to Dr. Stringer and Dr. Abbasi
Drs. Stringer and Abbasi from the Respiratory Research Center (RRC), along with Dr. Zhang from Allerdia (Biolabs), have received over a $1 million grant from the NIH/NHLBI. The focus of this grant is to develop and validate the accuracy of the novel Point-Of-Care Test (POCT) that is capable of rapidly and accurately detecting allergy provoking antibodies to environmental allergens (IgE). This technology will be most of interest in asthma patients, both as an approach to promoting healthy living and reducing disparities in minority populations. The goal is to eventually be able, with just one drop of blood, to have accurate and thorough allergy testing in the comfort of the patient’s home (or clinic). This should facilitate more rapid diagnosis and appropriate therapy for various underserved populations.
Dr. Harry Rossiter Heads to Pavia, Italy
In June, Dr. Rossiter had the honor of being awarded a Visiting Professorship at the University of Pavia, Italy. He delivered an intensive 1-week course on exercise physiology to the students attending the top Medical School in Italy. Sessions were held in the stunning grounds of the at 16th Century Borromeo College. In addition to the College, the University of Pavia boasts one of the finest anatomic theaters in the world, designed and built in 1783 for Antonio Scarpa; considered by many as the father of the modern science of surgery. Searching back 10 generations in Dr. Rossiter’s academic genealogy (that is, his mentor’s, mentor’s, mentor… and so on for 10 generations) leads to… you guessed it…Antonio Scarpa. A connection between our laboratories spanning 250 years! Lectures and laboratory sessions were interspersed with fascinating research discussions with the teams of Dr. Simone Porcelli, MD, PhD, a leading exercise physiologist, and Dr. Piero Clavario, MD, a leading rehabilitation cardiologist, and, of course, amazing Italian hospitality!
CTSI’s Winn CIPP Program
The Respiratory Research Center applied for the Winn CIPP Program, welcoming Chinue Wilford, a dedicated second-year medical student, as our summer participant. Over six intensive weeks, Chinue worked closely with community members and the center, engaging in a transformative experience focused on overcoming barriers to pulmonary clinical trial participation among underrepresented populations.
This collaboration not only enhanced Chinue’s understanding of healthcare disparities but also highlighted the critical role of community involvement in medical research. Her interactions with past participants have provided us with valuable insights into better connecting with underserved populations in Los Angeles.
Reflecting on this experience, Chinue deeply values the knowledge gained and looks forward to applying these lessons throughout her journey to becoming a physician. She expresses her gratitude to Dr. Rossiter and his team for “an amazing summer of learning, growth, and a deepened love for research & medicine.”
RRC Member of the Month
August’s Respiratory Research Center member of the month is Chinue Wilford! Chinue is a rising second-year medical student at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana and completed a post-baccalaureate program at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. During her gap years she worked as a dialysis technician in her hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Chinue won a competitive place in the Robert A. Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials: Clinical Investigator Pathway (Winn CIPP) Program (more details below). Her current interest are family medicine and pediatrics. When she is not busy with medical school, Chinue enjoys traveling and spend time outside with her friends.
New Class of 2027 Fellows
We are thrilled to announce that our Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship Program at Harbor-UCLA Hospital has welcomed three new fellows: Dr. Ghita Bouzarif, MD, Dr. Nicole Baghdasaryan, DO, and Dr. Kristine Cueva, MD. Dr. Bouzarif is originally from Long Beach and is a UCI alumna. She then attended St. George’s University on the beautiful Caribbean island of Grenada and completed her internal medicine residency and chief residency at Highland Hospital in Oakland, California. Dr. Baghdasaryan is from Glendale and attended Loyola for her B.S., Tufts for her M.S., and Western University of Health Sciences for her D.O. She is a big fan of the LA Lakers and loves to travel and explore new places with her husband. Dr. Cueva was born and raised in the Bay Area and went to Drexel in Philadelphia for medical school, and the University of Washington in Seattle for her internal medicine residency. She is very excited to be back in California and to work with the team here at Harbor-UCLA and Lundquist.
These talented doctors will embark on a comprehensive three-year training journey, gaining invaluable experience and expertise in pulmonary medicine. We look forward to supporting their growth and contributions to our community. We are confident that they will uphold the highest standards of excellence in patient care and medical research.
