Events!
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NSO 2007 > Proseminars > Health &
Medicine
Click here
to register starting Tuesday, August 7, 2007.
A Genetic Master Key to Bone Formation
Eileen M. Shore, PhD, Research Associate Professor
By studying a rare genetic disease, we discovered a gene that appears to be a master key to bone formation and the skeleton. In FOP, muscles and other soft tissues are transformed into hardened bone, imprisoning children within a second skeleton. We found that a gene called ACVR1 carries the same change in a single DNA letter in all people who have classic disease features of FOP. This seminar will discuss our discovery and what it means to people with FOP and with other disorders of bone formation.
| Location: |
Williams Hall, Room 27 |
| Course: |
100-112 |
| Time: |
1pm |
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Better Living Through Chemistry?
Kathleen Vito, Lecturer
The purpose of this seminar is to explore the scope of human exposure, both occupational and incidental community, to perfluorinated chemicals. The chemicals used to manufacture teflon cookware, fast food packaging and stain resistant carpet are probable carcinogens. In fact, the EPA has begun a voluntary stewardship with chemical companies to reduce the manufacture of the chemicals and eventual termination. Research has demonstrated that there has been widespread human exposure from drinking water but that the scope of exposure is most likely from indirect sources as well. The seminar will conclude with student interaction to develop an action plan for public health policy.
| Location: |
Williams Hall, Room 5 |
| Course: |
100-404 |
| Time: |
4pm |
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Biomedical Research at the University of Pennsylvania
Angela Haczku, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor
We will talk about how to conduct biomedical research on specific projects. I will describe the process of modeling a disease such as allergic asthma, in vivo and in vitro. We will discuss what scientific questions should be asked while studying a problem and how to determine what is important. We will also talk about the difficulties and rewards of working in academic medicine and I will tell you what an undergraduate student can do in the lab.
| Location: |
Williams Hall, Room 220 |
| Course: |
100-305 |
| Time: |
3pm |
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Cognitive Therapy for Permanent Weight Loss
Judith S. Beck, Ph.D., Clinical Associate Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry
Specific cognitive (thinking) and behavioral skills are necessary to lose weight and keep it off. For example, dieters need to: prove to themselves that hunger and craving, while uncomfortable, are tolerable; respond to self-deluding thoughts ("It's okay to eat because I'm stressed/I'm celebrating/it's free/everyone else is" etc.); learn tools to deal with deprivation, disappointment, discouragement, and unfairness and to motivate themselves daily. A recent randomized controlled trial (Stahre & Hallstrom, 2005) demonstrated the efficacy of this approach.
| Location: |
Meyerson Hall, Room B1 |
| Course: |
100-207 |
| Time: |
2pm |
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FDA and Medical Product Safety
Susan Ellenberg, Professor of Biostatistics; Assoc Dean Clinical Research, School of Medicine
The safety of commonly used drugs and other medical products is a topic of public concern. Some have argued that FDA is not identifying safety problems soon enough; others worry that excessive focus on safety may delay approval of important new treatments. Evaluating safety and making risk-benefit assessments is a complex process.
| Location: |
Williams Hall, Room 421 |
| Course: |
100-203 |
| Time: |
2pm |
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Global water and sanitation problems
Stanley Laskowski, Lecturer/Advisor
The UN Millennium Development Goals have set targets to improve water/sanitation systems in the developing world. I will show a short film, give a PowerPoint presentation, and explain how students can become involved in the solutions.
| Location: |
Williams Hall, Room 216 |
| Course: |
100-103 |
| Time: |
1pm |
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Harnessing the Immune System for Cancer Treatment
Brian J Czerniecki, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Surgery
The proseminar will cover the science of bringing the immune response from the laboratory bench to the patient and back. This proseminar will give students an appreciation of what it takes to develop a hypothesis, test it and bring it to a patient including an understanding of the regulatory requirements. The well-designed clinical trial will generate hypothesis testing to bring back to the lab. This seminar would be of interest to those interested in science, engineering, and biomedical fields.
| Location: |
Williams Hall, Room 205 |
| Course: |
100-407 |
| Time: |
4pm |
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Healthcare for the Poor & Underserved
Alex Fuld, Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine
The U.S. spends more on health care than any other developed country; yet, there are over 40 million people without health insurance. Many more people are medically "underserved" in that they have limited access to and/or the inability to pay for needed health care. In this discussion, we'll explore some of the relevant health care policy issues at both national and Philadelphia levels with an emphasis on several high-risk underserved groups: the homeless, the poor, and the uninsured.
| Location: |
Williams Hall, Room 27 |
| Course: |
100-412 |
| Time: |
4pm |
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Is Fibromyalgia a Stress Related Disorder?
Lan X. Chen, Clinical Assistant Professor
Fibromyalgia (FM) is one of the most common rheumatologic conditions. It is characterized by chronic diffuse pain, fatigue and poor sleep. The physical examination demonstrates multiple tender points in specific areas. Although the pathophysiology has yet to be fully elucidated, FM patients appear to have aberrant hypothalamic-pituitary functioning induced by stressors, which include physical, medical and emotional stresses. How can we prevent and treat this common rheumatologic condition?
| Location: |
Williams Hall, Room 215 |
| Course: |
100-313 |
| Time: |
3pm |
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Medical School and Your Future
Dr. Arthur Rubenstein, Dean, School of Medicine
I will discuss new approaches to training physicians; aspects of professionalism; science and ethics in the doctor-patient relationship.
| Location: |
Williams Hall, Room 203 |
| Course: |
100-108 |
| Time: |
1pm |
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Nutrition and Exercise
Stella L. Volpe, Associate Professor & Miriam Stirl Term Endowed Chair
This proseminar will provide information on how to eat healthily and incorporate physical activity into your life. It will also help competitive and non-competitive athletes learn to eat for peak performance.
| Location: |
Meyerson Hall, Room B2 |
| Course: |
100-209 |
| Time: |
2pm |
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Pain and the Brain
John T. Farrar, Asst. Prof of Epidemiology, Anesthesia, Neurology
Pain is a subjective experience. Everyone knows what pain is but we can not directly measure it. It is useful in preventing us from harming ourselves but can lead to tremendous suffering if it lasts too long and is not properly treated. As we learn more about brain function, we are beginning to understand how pain affects the brain and how medications, alternative therapies and the brain itself can modulate the experience of pain. Our ability to perform scans of the working brain have revolutionized our view of the effect of pain on the brain.
| Location: |
Williams Hall, Room 203 |
| Course: |
100-307 |
| Time: |
3pm |
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Participating in Medical Care for Underserved Populations in Africa and Latin America
Carrie Kovarik, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology
Providing medical care to underserved populations in Africa and Latin America can be very challenging. Many factors contribute to the variety of disease that is seen in these settings, including the level of poverty, overall health of a community, geographical location, access to medical care, prevalence of HIV, and the presence of geographically limited infections. These factors are discussed in addition to challenges and preparations for medical volunteerism.
| Location: |
Meyerson Hall, Room B4 |
| Course: |
100-402 |
| Time: |
4pm |
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Psychotherapists Without Borders
Deborah Luepnitz, Ph.D
I am a psychotherapist who has lived and worked in West Philadelphia for 25 years. In addition to my private practice, I run Insight For All (IFA) which connects formerly homeless people with therapists willing to work free of charge. In this seminar, we can discuss issues of homelessness in America, ways students can volunteer at Project HOME, and general questions about psychotherapy.
| Location: |
Williams Hall, Room 25 |
| Course: |
100-111 |
| Time: |
1pm |
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Spiritual Care for Over-Achievers
Rev. Dr. Beverly Dale, Executive Director, Christian Association
Have you thought about what to do at mid-term time when you can't concentrate, your body only sleeps, and your life is in meltdown? This workshop will teach you first aid tips for your mind, body and your spirit. You'll learn to use various techniques that in only 15 minutes can rejuvenate your whole self. We will experience meditation, guided imagery, music and rhythm to settle your mind's frantic racing, and discuss ways to center yourself physically, spiritually and mentally. No faith experience required.
| Location: |
Christian Association House |
| Course: |
100-302 |
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