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Residency Program

RESIDENT RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Research opportunities available for residents in collaboration with pathology faculty.

Thomas M. Abbott, M.D.:

Henderson GS, Brown KA, Perkins SL, Abbott TM, Clayton F. Bcl-2 is down-regulated in atypical endometrial hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma. Mod. Pathol . 1996 Apr;9(4):430-8.

Stephenson RA, Middleton RG, Abbott TM . Wide excision (non-nerve sparing) radical retropubic prostatectomy using an initial perirectal dissection. J Urol . 1997 Jan;157(1):251-5.

Edward R. Ashwood, M.D.:

Areas of research interest are diagnostic tests for evaluating the status of fetal lung maturity, maternal serum screening, hepatitis and retrovirus testing, and statistics or informatics. Specific projects currently available are:

1. Adapting the current HBV and HCV PCR tests so that tissue samples can be used. This would include biopsy specimens and paraffin fixed specimens. Wade Samowitz would collaborate.
2. Examining surfactant specific proteins or lipids for utility in fetal lung maturity testing. I currently have over 5,000 frozen specimens, many of which are already pedigreed (we know the outcomes of the mother and babe for each specimen).
3. Analyzing the errors in maternal screen screening for predicting Down syndrome risks. There is no full-time lab commitment for these projects and an interest in the project is the only prerequisite training. Participants will have the opportunity to publish and to present their research at national meetings such as the Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physician and Scientists (ACLPS), the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC), and CAP/ASCP.

Lo SF, Doumas BT, Ashwood ER. Performance of bilirubin determinations in U.S. laboratories – revisited. Clin Chem 2004;50:190-4.

Konnick EQ, Williams SM, Ashwood ER, Hillyard DR. Evaluation of the COBAS Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) TaqMan analyte-specific reagent assay and comparison to the COBAS Amplicor HCV Monitor V2.0 and Versant HCV bDNA 3.0 assays. J Clin Microbiol May 2005;43(5):2133-40.

Konnick EQ, Erali M, Ashwood ER, Hillyard DR. Evaluation of the COBAS amplicor HBV monitor assay and comparison with the ultrasensitive HBV hybrid capture 2 assay for quantification of hepatitis B virus DNA. J Clin Microbiol. Feb 2005;43(2)596-603.

David W. Bahler, M.D., Ph.D.:

Cessna MH, Hartung L, Tripp S, Perkins SL, Bahler DW . Hairy cell leukemia variant: fact or fiction. Am J Clin Pathol. Jan. 2005;123(1)132-8.

Hartung L, Bahler DW . Flow cytometric analysis of BCL-2 can distinguish small numbers of acute lymphoblastic oleukaemia cells from B-cell precursors. Br J Haematol. Oct. 2004;127(1):50-8.

Joel S. Bentz, M.D.:

Areas of research interest are: (1) FNA utilization and cost effectiveness, (2) Automated technology in gynecologic cytology, (3) molecular diagnostics in cytopathology.

Rowe LR, Aldeen W, Bentz JS . Prevalence and typing of HPV DNA by hybrid capture II in women with ASCUS, ASC-H, LSIL, and AGC on ThinPrep® Pap tests. Diagn Cytopathol . 2004. Jun;30(6):426-32.

Rowe LR, Bentz JS . A simple method to determine the need for glacial acetic acid treatment of bloody ThinPrep Pap tests before slide processing. Diagn Cytopathol. Nov. 2004;31(5):321-5.

Philip S. Bernard, M.D.:

Joyner DE, Wade ML, Szabo A, Bastar J, Coffin CM, Albritton KH, Bernard PS, Randall RL. Discriminate gene lists derived from cDNA microarray profiles of limited samples permit distinguishing mesenchymal neoplasia ex vivo. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. Mar 2005;131(3):137-46.

Robison JE, Perreard L, Bernard PS. State of the science: molecular classifications of breast cancer for clinical diagnostics. Clin Biochem. Jul 2004;37(7):572-8.

Robert C. Blaylock, M.D.:

Residents would be involved with clinical research related to transfusion medicine. Topics would include: (1) immunohematology, (2) donor screening, (3) transfusion transmitted disease, (4) blood component therapy, (5) platelet refractoriness, (6) pediatric transfusion, and (7) therapeutic apheresis to name a few.

Lehman , CM, Blaylock, RC, Alexander, DP, Rodgers, GM, 2001, Discontinuation of the bleeding time test without detectable adverse clinical impact, Clin Chem, 47 (7):1204-1211.

Anstall HB, Blaylock, RC. Practical Aspects of the Transfusion Service, 1996; 335 pgs.

Frederic C. Clayton, M.D.:

Clayton F, Tessnow KA, Fang JC, Holden JA, Moore JG. Circadian variation of topoisomerase II-alpha in human rectal crypt epithelium: implications for reduction of toxicity of chemotherapy. Mod Pathol . 2002. Nov;15(11):1191-6.

Florell SR, Schmidt SJ, Porter-Gill P, Albertine KH, Murphy KJ, McKinney CB, Boucher KM, Grossman D, Biddle DL, Clayton F, Layfield LJ, Leachman SA. Novel application of a fibrin cell block method to evaluate melanocytic cell populations. Pigment Cell Res. Dec. 2003;16(6):662-9.

Cheryl M. Coffin, M.D.:

Mentoring medical students, residents, and junior faculty members as they begin to develop their careers is a priority to me. Many opportunities are available for resident projects. Active areas of clinical and translational research in pediatric pathology include (1) pediatric surgical pathology, (2) pediatric soft tissue tumors, (3) soft tissue pathology, and (4) quality in pediatric pathology and laboratory medicine. A multidisciplinary team for clinical management and research in soft tissue and bone tumors includes faculty from Pediatric Pathology, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Oncologic Sciences, and Orthopedic Surgery. We are interested in applications of immunohistochemistry and cytogenetic and molecular genetic studies for diagnosis and translational studies in these areas. Flexible scheduling for research collaborations with residents is available. The goal is completion of a project to the point of manuscript submission or abstract presentation at a national meeting, such as the Society for Pediatric Pathology, or the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology.

Coffin CM. USCAP Specialty Conference: case 3. Pediatr Dev Pathol. Jan.-Feb. 2005;8(1):74-76. Epub 2005 Feb. 8.

Joyner DE, Wade ML, Szabo A, Bastar J, Coffin CM, Albritton KH, Bernard PS, Randall RL. Discriminate gene lists derived from cDNA microarray profiles of limited samples permit distinguishing mesenchymal neoplasia ex vivo. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. Mar 2005;131(3):137-46.

Judy Daly, Ph.D.:

Areas of research interest are (1) methods for early direct detection of microorganisms in clinical specimens, (2) automation of diagnostic methods in clinical microbiology, (3) utilization and cost-effectiveness of diagnostic tests, (4) development and validation of new approaches to antimicrobial susceptibility testing, (5) Outcomes research. Specific projects currently available are several clinical microbiology projects. The minimum duration of full-time commitment in the lab is 3 months. The necessary prerequisite training is microbiology.

Aldous WK, Gerber K, Taggart EW, Rupp J, Wintch J, Daly JA. A comparison of Thermo Electron RSV OIA to viral culture and direct fluorescent assay testing for respiratory syncytial virus. J Clin Virol. Mar 2005;32(3):224-8.

Aldous WK, Gerber K, Taggart EW, Thomas J, Tidwell D, Daly JA. A comparison of Binax NOW to viral culture and direct fluorescent assay testing for respiratory syncytial virus. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. Aug 2004;49(4):265-8.

Raymond A. Daynes, Ph.D.:

Our research efforts are focused on understanding the molecular processes which control the biochemistry, cell biology and physiology of the mammalian immune system. We are specifically interested in the pathologic states which accompany allergic disease, and aging, as both these clinical conditions involve marked alterations to normal immune defense mechanisms.

Zhang TY, Ding X, Daynes RA. The expression of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I by lymphocytes provides a novel means for intracrine regulation of glucocorticoid activities. J Immunol. Jan 15 2005;174(2):879-89.

Jones DC, Ding X, Zhang TY, Daynes RA. PPAR-alpha negatively regulates T-bet transcription through suppression of p38 MAP kinase activation. Journal of Immunology 2003 171:196-203.

Kojo Elenitoba-Johnson, M.D.:

Crockett DK, Fillmore GC, Elenitoba-Johnson KS, Lim MS. Analysis of phosphatase and tensin homolog tumor suppressor interacting proteins by in vitro and in silico proteomics. Proteomics. Apr 2005;5(5):1250-62.

Vaughn CP, Elenitoba-Johnson KS. High-resolution melting analysis for detection of internal tandem duplications. J Mol Diagn. Aug 2004;6(3):211-6.

Lyska Emerson, M.D.:

Emerson L, Layfield LJ, Rohr LR, Dayton MT. Adenocarcinoma arising in association with gastric heterotopic pancrease: A case report and review of the literature. J Surg Oncol. Jul 15 2004;87(1):53-7. Review

Emerson L, Layfield LJ, Reiss R, Mulvihill S, Holden J. Malignant islet cell tumor with sarcomatous differentiation. Mod Pathol. Nov 2001;14(11):1187-91.

Elizabeth L. Frank, Ph.D.:

McMillin GA, Owen WE, Lambert TL, De BK, Frank EL, Bach PR, Annesley TM, Roberts WL. Comparable effects of DIGIBIND and DigiFab in thirteen digoxin immunoassays. Clin Chem . 2002 Sep;48(9):1580-4.

Heider EC, Davis BG, Frank EL. Nonparametric determination of reference intervals for plasma metanephrine and normetanephrine. Clin Chem. Dec 2004;50(12):2381-4.

Thomas C. Fuller, Ph.D.:

The Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory is responsible for all clinical tissue typing and organ allocation in the Salt Lake Valley. Projects in applied as well as developmental research in transplantation immunology, immunopathology and immunogenetics are currently available. Specific areas dealing with study of immune response genes controlling antibody responses in transplant candidates, development of new microarray technologies for detection of HLA alloantibodies and identification of new histocompatibility factors and genes that induce graft versus host disease or suppression of relapse leukemia after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation have been areas of investigation. The minimum duration of commitment in the lab is six months (full-time) or one year part time; a background in immunology and molecular biology is helpful although extensive didactic lectures and hands-on training within the laboratory would be provided.

Shaddy RE, Fuller TC. The sensitizied pediatric heart transplant candidate: causes, consequences, and treatment options. Pediatr Transplant. Apr 2005;9(2):208-14.

Hooper DK, Hawkins JA, Fuller TC, Profaizer T, Shaddy RE. Panel-reactive antibodies late after allograft implantation in children. Ann Thorac Surg. Feb 2005;79(2):641-4; discussion 645.

Evelyn Gopez, M.D.:

Layfield LJ, Gopez, EV. Percutaneous image-guided fine-needle aspiration of peritoneal lesions. Diagn Cytopathol . 2003 Jan;28(1):6-12.

Shen Y, Blumenthal DT, Digre K, Cessna MH, Gopez EV. Carcinomatous meningitis as the presenting manifestation of gallbladder carcinoma: case report and review of the literature.
J Neurooncol. Oct 2004;70(1):67-71.

Elizabeth Hammond, M.D.:

Hammond ME, Filling CM, Neumann AR, Homburger HA; Education Committee, College of American Pathologists. Addressing the maintenance of certification challenge: the College of American Pathologists response. Arch Pathol Lab Med. May 2005;129(5):666-75.

Alharethi R, Shaddy RE, Doty DB, Moore SA, Hammond ME, Dabbas B, Fuller TC, Renlund DG. Early failure of a tricuspid valve replacement with a mitral valve homograft in a heart transplant recipient. J Heart Lung Transplant. Dec. 2004;23(12):1460-2.

Harry R. Hill, M.D.:

Areas of research interest include mechanisms of host resistance to group A streptococcal infections, including examination of antibodies, complement, and white cells, and the acute inflammatory response to these pathogens. We are also studying immunodeficiency disorders, particularly, Job syndrome or Hyper IgE and recurrent infections, and lastly, the examination of cytokine profiles in individuals with overwhelming or recurrent infections. Recently, we are employing the exciting new Luminex Multianalyte System in these determinations. The resident would be allowed to pick out his own particular area of interest and develop his own project within our laboratory. The individual would be encouraged to present his work at national meetings and to publish in the medical literature.

Taggart EW, Hill HR, Ruegner RG, Martins TB, Litwin CM. Evaluation of an in vitro assay for gamma interferon production in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol. Nov 2004;11(6):1089-93.

Martins TB, Burlingame R, von Muhlen CA, Jaskowski TD, Litwin CM, Hill HR. Evaluation of multiplexed fluorescent microsphere immunoassay for detection of autoantibodies to nuclear antigens. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol. Nov 2004;11(6):1054-9.

David R. Hillyard, M.D.:

Konnick EQ, Williams SM, Ashwood ER, Hillyard DR. Evaluation of the COBAS Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) TaqMan analyte-specific reagent assay and comparison to the COBAS Amplicor HCV Monitor V2.0 and Versant HCV bDNA 3.0 assays. J Clin Microbiol May 2005;43(5):2133-40.

Konnick EQ, Erali M, Ashwood ER, Hillyard DR. Evaluation of the COBAS amplicor HBV monitor assay and comparison with the ultrasensitive HBV hybrid capture 2 assay for quantification of hepatitis B virus DNA. J Clin Microbiol. Feb 2005;43(2)596-603.

Joseph A. Holden, M.D., Ph.D.:

Area of research interest is in DNA Topoisomerases and receptor tyrosine kinase mutations. Specific projects currently available are correlating (1) DNA Topo I and Topo II Levels in human neoplasm's with other clinical parameters and with tumor response to therapy, (2) study of drug interactions with purified DNA Topoisomerases, (3) Topoisomerase gene amplification in human tumors analyzed by quantitative PCR, and (4) Evaluation of human tumors for activating mutations in receptor otyrosine kinases. The minimum duration of full-time commitment in the lab is two weeks and the necessary prerequisite training is a M.D. degree. The projects can range from very clinical oriented requiring almost no bench research to the biochemistry of DNA Topoisomerase requiring extensive “hands on” laboratory bench work.

Willmore C, Holden JA, Zhou L, Tripp S, Wittwer CT, Layfield LJ. Detection of c-kit-activating mutations in gastrointestinal stromal tumors by high-resolution amplicon melting analysis. Am J Clin Pathol. Aug 2004;122(2):206-16.

Layfield LJ, Willmore-Payne C, Shimada H, Holden JA. Assessment of NMYC amplification: a comparison of FISH, quantitative PCR monoplexing and traditional blotting methods used with formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded neuroblastomas. Anal Quant Cytol Histol. Feb 2005;27(1):5-14.

Jorge Isaac, M.D.:

Togel F, Hu Z, Weiss K, Isaac J, Lange C, Westenfelder C. Administered mesenchymal stem cells protect against ischemic acute renal failure through differentiation-independent mechanisms. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. Feb 15 2005; [Epub ahead of print].

Togel F, Isaac J, Westenfelder C. Hematopoietic stem cell mobilization-associated granulocytosis severely worsens acute renal failure. J Am Soc Nephrol. May 2004;15(5):1261-7.

Peter E. Jensen, M.D.:

Jensen PE, Sullivan BA, Reed-Loisel LM, Weber DA. Qa-1, a nonclassical class I histocompatibility molecule with roles in innate and adaptive immunity. Immunol Res. 2004;29(1-3):81-92. Review

Chen X, Jensen PE. The expression of HLA-DO (H2-O) in B lymphocytes. Immunol Res. 2004;29(1-3):19-28. Review

Jerry Kaplan, Ph.D.:

Our research focuses on two major areas. First, we are interested in iron metabolism. Iron is an element required by virtually all organisms. The facile ability of iron to gain and lose electrons renders this metal an essential cofactor in redox reactions. In addition, the high affinity of iron for oxygen has made iron the active site in heme, which is commonly involved in oxygen-binding and oxygen-based enzymatic reactions. Organisms as disparate as prokaryotes and mammals have developed a variety of mechanisms to obtain iron and regulate its storage and utilization. We utilize yeast as a model system to study iron metabolism because of the relative easy of genetic manipulation and the fact that yeast can survive without respiration, a process that requires iron/iron binding proteins. We have successfully identified several molecules involved in iron metabolism in yeast including the high affinity iron transport system Fet3p/Ftr1p, a vacuole iron transporter Ccc1p, a chloride channel Gef1p involved in producing a functional high affinity iron transport system and Yfh1p which is a molecule involved in iron-sulfur cluster formation. Yfh1p is homologous to the mammalian protein Frataxin. Mutations in this gene result in the disease Freidrichs Ataxia, a neurodegenrative and myocardial disease. All of the genes/proteins identified in yeast have homologues in other species and specifically in human when the genes are mutated result in human disease.

Our second area of research is the study of membrane trafficking. We are interested in identifying molecules that regulate the fusion and fission of endocytic vesicles. Many human diseases result from alterations in the delivery of internalized molecules to lysosomes. Chediak-Higashi syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder typified by enlarged granules in all cells. Patients with this disease have hypopigmentation,immunologic defects, and neurologic problems. We identified the gene responsible for this syndrome and we are studying its role in membrane trafficking. We have developed in vitro assays for membrane fusion and successfully identified several molecules that are specifically involved in late endocytic membrane trafficking.

Harris ZL, Davis-Kaplan SR, Gitlin JD, Kaplan J. A Fungal Multicopper Oxidase Restores Iron Homeostasis in Aceruloplasminemia . Blood. June 15 2004;103(12):4672-3.

Shiflett SL, Ward DM, Huynh D, Vaughn MB, Simmons JC, Kaplan J. Characterization of Vta1p, a class E Vps protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. J Biol Chem. 2004 Mar 19;279(12):10982-90.

Carl R. Kjeldsberg, M.D.:

Lones MA, Sanger WG, Le Beau MM, Heerema NA, Sposto R, Perkins SL, Buckley J, Kadin ME, Kjeldsberg CR, Meadows A, Siegel S, Finlay J, Bergeron S, Cairo MS. Chromosome abnormalities may correlate with prognosis in Burkitt-Burkitt-like lymphomas of children and adolescents: a report from Childreb's Cancer Group Study CCG-E08. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. March 2004;26(3):169-78.

Cairo MS, Sposto R, Perkins SL, Meadows AT, Hoover-Regan ML, Anderson JR, Siegel SE, Lones MA, Tedeschi-Blok N, Kadin ME, Kjeldsberg CR, Wilson JF, Sanger W, Morris E, Krailo MD, Finlay JL. Burkitt's and Burkitt-like lymphoma in children and adolescents: a review of the Children's Cancer Group experience. Br J Haematol. Feb 2003;120(4):660-70.

Lester J. Layfield, M.D.:

Tripp SR, Willmore-Payne C, Layfield LJ. Relationship between EGFR overexpression and gene amplification status in central nervous system gliomas. Anal Quant Cytol Histol. Apr 2005;27(2):71-8.

Layfield LJ, Willmore-Payne C, Chimada H, Holden JA. Assessment of NMYC amplification: a comparison of FISH, quantitative PCR monoplexing and traditional blotting methods used with formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded neuroblastomas. Anal Quant Cytol Histol. Feb 2005;27(1):5-14.

Christopher M. Lehman, M.D.:

Areas of research include the influence of laboratory testing on patient outcomes, clinical validation of new, acute-care laboratory tests, and transfusion medicine outcomes. There are no prerequisites and the schedule is flexible. An R&D tech is available for technical assistance.

Lehman CM, Wilson LW, Rodgers GM. Analytic validation and clinical evaluation of the STA LIATEST immunoturbidimetric D-dimer assay for the diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Am J Clin Pathol. Aug 2004;122(2):178-84.

Lehman CM, Blaylock RC, Alexander DP, Rodgers GM. Discontinuation of the Bleeding Time Test without Detectable Adverse Clinical Impact. Clin Chem 2001, 47:7: 1204-1211.

Megan Lim, M.D., Ph.D.:

Gouw LLG, Scott Reading N, Jenson SD, Lim MS, Elenitoba-Johnson KS. Expression of the Rho-family GTPase gene RHOF in lymphocyte subsets and malignant lymphomas. Br J Haematol. May 2005;129(4):531-3.

Crockett DK, Fillmore GC, Elenitoba-Johnson KS, Lim MS. Analysis of phosphatase and tensin homolog tumor suppressor interacting proteins by in vitro and in silico proteomics. Proteomics. Apr 2005;5(5):1250-62.

Christine M. Litwin, M.D.:

Areas of research interest are (1) bacterial pathogenesis and gene regulation of virulence factors in Bartonella hemselae (Cat Scratch Disease), (2) development of serologic and molecular tests for infectious diseases. Specific projects currently available are (1) the analysis of B. henselae immunoreactive proteins, (2) analysis of IgA1 protease and hemolysin in B. henselae and (3) development of ELISA test for giardia and rabies.

Litwin CM, Johnson JM, Martins TB. The Bartonella henselae sucB gene encodes a dihydrolipoamide succinyltransferase protein reactive with sera from patients with cat-scratch disease. J Med Microbiol. Dec 2004;53(Pt12):1221-7.

Taggart EW, Hill HR, Ruegner RG, Martins TB, Litwin CM. Evaluation of an in vitro assay for gamma interferon production in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol. Nov 2004;11(6):1089-93.

Amy Lowichik, M.D., Ph.D.:

Coffin CM, Lowichik A, Zhou H. Treatment effects in pediatric soft tissue and bone tumors: practical considerations for the pathologist. Am J Clin Pathol. Jan 2005;123(1):75-90. Review.

Yang DT, Lowichik A, Chen J, Snow BW, Ulbright TM, Chen Z. Cytogenetics of a pediatric unclassified sex cord-stromal tumor of the testis: a case report. Cancer Genet Cytogenet. Jan 1, 2005;156(1):80-2.

Elaine Lyon, Ph.D.:

Areas of interest are mutation detection for genetic disease and quantitative PCR for tumor markers. The focus of my work is test development for molecular diagnostics using technology to fluorescently monitor PCR reactions. Current projects include cystic fibrosis and cytochrome p450 genes. We are evaluating several new technologies for high-throughput genetic analysis such as macrochip or fluorescent melting temperature analysis. Commitment time is flexible and the pre-requisite is an interest in molecular genetics. General background in molecular biology would be helpful.

Graham R, Liew M, Meadows C, Lyon E, Wittwer CT. Distinguishing Different DNA Heterozygotes by High-Resolution Melting. Clin Chem. May 2005;19;[Epub ahead of print].

Chou LS, Gedge F, Lyon E. Complete gene scanning by temperature gradient capillary electrophoresis using the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene as a model. J Mol Diagn. Feb 2005;7(1):111-20.

Rong Mao, M.D.

Areas of research include: (1) Disease associated gene/genes for congenital hearing loss; (2) Mutation scanning methods; (3) Evaluation of missense mutations by family concordane studies in Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT); (4) Alpha-1-Antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, genotype-phenotype correlation.

Dent KM, Kenneson A, Palumbos JC, Maxwell S, Eichwald J, White K, Mao R, Bale JF Jr., Carey JC. Methodology of a multistate study of congenital hearing loss: preliminary data from Utah newborn screening. Am J Med Genet. 2004 Feb 15;125C(1):28-34.

Stevenson DA, Carrey JC, Cowley BC, Mao R, Bayrak-Toydemir P, Brothman AR. 4p Deletion and 11p Subtelomeric Duplication Detected by Genomic Microarray. Journal of Pediatrics. Dec 2004:840-842.

Ahmed SA, Snow-Bailey K, Highsmith WE, Sun W, Fenwick RG, Mao R. Nine novel germline gene variants in the RET proto-oncogene identified in twelve unrelated cases. J Mol Diagn. 2005;7:283-288.

C. Jay Marshall, M.D.:

Rowe LR, Marshall CJ, Berry M, Larson MA, Bentz JS. Accuracy of a slide profiler for endocervical cell detection in no-further-review conventional Pap smears. Acta Cytol. Jul-Aug 2003;47(4):602-4.

Rowe LR, Marshall CJ, Bentz JS. One hundred percent thorough quality control rescreening of liquid-based monolayers in cervicovaginal cytopathology. Cancer . 2002 Dec 25;96(6):325-9.

A. Wayne Meikle, M.D.:

Meikle AW. The interrelationships between thyroid dysfunction and hypogonadism in men and boys. Thyroid. 2004;14Suppl 1:S17-25.

Meikle AW, Matthias D, Hoffman AR. Transdermal testosterone gel: pharmacokinetics, efficacy of dosing and application site in hypogonadal men. BJU Int. Apr 2004;93(6):789-95.

Gwen A. McMillin, Ph.D.:

Bornhorst JA, Hunt JW, Urry FM, McMillin GA. Comparison of sample preservation methods for clinical trace element analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Am J Clin Pathol. Apr 2005;123(4):578-83.

Junke JM, Brown PI, Urry FM, McMillin GA. Specimen dilution for C2 monitoring with the Abbott TDxFLx cyclosporine monoclonal whole blood assay. Clin Chem. Aug 2004;50(8):1430-3.

Marzia Pasquali, Ph.D.:

Schwarz EL, Roberts WL, Pasquali M. Analysis of plasma amino acids by HPLC with photodiode array and fluorescence detection. Clin Chim Acta. Apr 2005;354(1-2):83-90. Epub Dec 25, 2004.

Longo N, Fukao T, Singh R, Pasquali M, Barrios RG, Kondo N, Gibson KM. Succinyl-CoA:3-ketoacid transferase (SCOT) deficiency in a new patient homozygous for an R217X mutation. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2004;27(5):691-2.

Sherrie L. Perkins, M.D., Ph.D.:

Areas of research interest are hematopatholgy - use of immunohistochemisty stains for diagnosis and analysis of hematopoietic disorders. Specific projects currently available are immunohistochemical analysis of childhood NHL. The minimum lab full-time commitment is one month for immunohistochemical projects, but they may be done as a part-time commitment for a longer period of time. Resident would identify appropriate cases, collect blocks and analyze immunohistochemical result with faculty supervision for this project.

Cessna MH, Hartung L, Tripp S, Perkins SL, Bahler DW. Hairy cell leukemia variant: fact or fiction. Am J Clin Pathol. Jan 2005;123(1):132-8.

Perkins SL. Pediatric red cell disorders and pure red cell aplasia. Am J Clin Pathol. Dec. 2004;122 Suppl:S70-86. Review.

Cathy A. Petti, M.D.:
Areas of research interest include cost-effective clinical microbiology and their practical applications for infectious diseases.  Specific projects available include gene sequencing for microbial identification (e.g., 16S rRNA, rpoB, ITS 1 and ITS4), impact of interpretive reporting on patient outcomes, and rapid molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases.  Additional research includes international health with particular emphasis on resource-limiting settings.  Residents also may develop their own project proposals based on related interests.  Projects require at least one month commitment with close faculty supervision followed by part-time commitment when necessary.

Petti CA, Polage CR, Schreckenberger p. Misidentification of microorganisms by conventional methods: role of 16S rRNA gene sequencing. J Clin Microbiol 2005;43:6123-6125.

Petti CA, Bhally HS, Weinstein MP, Joho K, Wakefield T, Reller LB, Carroll KC. Utility of extended blood culture incubation for isolation of HACEK organisms: a retrospective multicenter evaluation. J Clin Microbiol 2006;44:257-259.

Petti CA, Polage CR, Quinn TC, Ronald A, Sande M.  Laboratory medicine in Africa:  a barrier to effective healthcare. Clin Infect Dis 2006;42:377-382.

Theodore J. Pysher, M.D.:

Areas of research interest are (1) pathogenesis of the hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), (2) pediatric autopsy and surgical pathology and (3) pediatric clinical pathology. Specific projects available include pathologic studies of proliferation and apoptosis in a primate model of HUS, and utilization of laboratory tests in pediatrics. Full-time commitment is not necessary for any of these projects, but a few sessions on Saturday mornings may be necessary to review data. Participants will have the opportunity to present findings at national meetings, such as the Society for Pediatric Pathology or United States-Canadian Academy of Pathology, and publish their work.

Pysher TJ. Clinical Use of Pediatric Diagnostic Tests. Pediatr Dev Pathol .;6(4) [Epub ahead of print]

Siegler RL, Obrig TG, Pysher TJ, Tesh VL, Denkers ND, Taylor FB. Response to Shiga toxin 1 and 2 in a baboon model of hemolytic uremic syndrome. Pediatr Nephrol. Feb 2003;18(2):92-6 Epub 2003 Jan. 10.

Larry G. Reimer, M.D.:

Areas of research interest are (1) blood cultures and (2) comparative methods in clinical microbiology. Projects available are negotiable for a one month period in the lab. Prerequisite training is also negotiable. A project would be designed based on the interest of the resident.

Erali M, Page S, Reimer LG, Hillyard DR. Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 drug resistance testing: a comparison of three sequence-based methods. J Clin Microbiol . 2001 Jun;39(6):2157-65.

Reimer LG. Community-acquired bacterial pneumonias. Semin Respir Infect . 2000 Jun;15(2):95-100.

Alan L. Rockwood, Ph.D.:

Our research focuses on the development assays for target analytes in patient samples by mass spectrometry. Our primary technique is liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), also known as LC-tandem mass spectrometry. This technique is highly specific, capable of high throughput, and has good sensitivity and a relatively low per-sample cost. We have so far concentrated mostly on quantitative analysis of low molecular weight endogenous and exogenous compounds. These may be single analytes, such as testosterone, methylmalonic acid, or sirolimus (rapamune), or multiple analyte tests such as catacholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine.) Future may target certain proteins and peptides, such as antigenic proteins produced by infectious agents, in addition to projects targeting lower molecular weight target endogenous and exogenous compounds. Flexible scheduling for research collaborations with residents is available.

Rockwood AL. Comment on “First principles electrochemistry: electrons and protons reacting as independent ions” [J. Chem. Phys. 117, 10193 (2002)]. J Chem Phys. Feb 22, 2005;122(8):87103; discussion 87104.

Kushnir MM, Rockwood AL, Nelson GJ, Yue B, Urry FM. Assessing analytical specificity in quantitative analysis using tandem mass spectrometry. Clin Biochem. Apr 2005;38(4):319-27.

William L. Roberts, M.D., Ph.D.:

Specific projects that are currently available:

1. Evaluation of TIMP-1 as a screening test for colorectal cancer.
2. Method comparison studies for various automated chemistry tests.
3. Utilization of time-resolved glycohemoglobin analysis for diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus.
4. Development of pediatric reference intervals.

Some technical assistance is available. An interest in chemistry is the only prerequisite. Participants, may have an opportunity to present their research at a national meeting and/or publish a manuscript.

Schwarz EL, Roberts WL, Pasquali M. Analysis of plasma amino acids by HPLC with photodiode array and fluorescence detection. Clin Chim Acta. Apr 2005;354(1-2):83-90. Epub 2004 Dec 25.

Owen WE, Roberts WL. Performance characteristics of the IMMULITE 2000 insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 assay. Clin Chim Acta. Mar 2005;353(1-2):141-5.

L. Ralph Rohr, M.D.:

Emerson L, Layfield LJ, Rohr LR, Dayton MT. Adenocarcinoma arising in association with gastric heterotopic pancreas: A case report and review of the literature. J Surg Oncol. Jul 15 2004;87(1):53-7. Review.

Coleman LW, Rohr LR, Bronstein IB, Holden JA. Human DNA topoisomerase I: An anticancer drug target present in human sarcomas. Hum Pathol . 2002 Jun;33(6):599-607.

Wade S. Samowitz, M.D.:

Samowitz WS, Slattery ML. Hyperplastic-like colon polyps preceding microsatellite-unstable adenocarcinomas. Am J Clin Pathol. Oct 2003;120(4):633.

Samowitz WS, Curtin K, Neuhausen S, Schaffer D, Slattery ML. Prognostic implications of BAX and TGFBRII mutations in colon cancers with microsatellite instability. Genes Chromosomes Cancer . 2002 Dec;35(4):368-71.

Gregory P. Smith, M.D.:

Smith GP, Kjeldsberg CR. 1996. Cerebrospinal, synovial and serous body fluids, In: Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods ; Henry, JB, ed; 19th edition; WB Saunders.

Smith GP, Perkins SL, Segal GH, Kjeldsberg CR. T-cell lymphocytosis associated with invasive thymoma. Am J Clin Pathol 102(4):447-453, 1994.

Francis M. Urry, Ph.D.:

Area of research interest is in the analysis and interpretation of drugs of abuse for medical purposes. Examples of projects currently underway or contemplated within the next year are the development and implementation into clinical laboratory service, procedures for the identification and quantification of drugs of abuse in meconium, serum, plasma, and/or whole blood by ELISA, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The minimum duration of commitment in the lab is 15 hours per week, and there is no prerequisite training required, but chromatography experience, particularly with GC-MS or LC-Tandem MS is helpful.

Coles R, Clements TC, Nelson GJ, McMillin GA, Urry FM. Simultaneous analysos of delta 9 -THC metabolites, 11-nor-9-carboxy-delta 9 -THC and 11-hydroxy-delta 9 -THC in meconium by GC-MS. Scheduled for publication in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology , July 2005.

Kushnir MM, Rockwood AL, Nelson GJ, Yue B, Urry FM. Assessing analytical specificity in quantitative analysis using tandem mass spectrometry. Clin Biochem. Apr 2005;38(4):319-27.

Janis J. Weis, Ph.D.

Areas of Research Interest: 1) Lyme disease, 2) microbial pathogenesis, 3) mechanism and regulation of arthritis development in murine model of Lyme arthritis. Specific projects include analysis of the involvement of toll like receptors in Borrelia burgdorferi induced arthritis, genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci that regulate arthritis severity, and signaling pathways involved in pathogenesis and protection to B. burgdorferi .

Bolz DD, Weis JJ. Molecular mimicry to Borrelia burgdorferi: pathway to autoimmunity? Autoimmunity. Aug 2004;37(5):387-92. Review

Wang X, Ma Y, Weis JH, Zachary JF, Kirschning CJ, Weis JJ. Relative contributions of innate and acquired host responses to bacterial control and arthritis development in Lyme disease. Infect Immun. Jan 2005;73(1):657-60.

John H. Weis, Ph.D.:

We investigate the functions of the immune response at a genetic level utilizing gene cloning, expression and transgenic approaches. Our general concept is that the immune response depends heavily upon cellular communication, blending homing and adhesion signals, cytokine activation, and antigen specific receptor mediated signals to prepare the appropriate response to any given immune assault. One project is the study of the function and purpose of the mast cell with particular emphasis upon its role in allergies and asthma. This cell is unique within the animal in that while it is antigen specific, it responds to many different types of antigens, as opposed to monoclonal T cells and B cells which only recognize a single antigen. There are two related subclasses of mast cells; those found within the mucosa of the intestinal and respiratory tracts (mucosal mast cells) and those within the skin and musculature (connective tissue mast cells). Our studies include the analysis of the functions of the proteins on the surface of the mast cell that dictate its localization within the animal, and the types of cytokines and interleukins that the mast cell can produce when stimulated in situ. The polyclonal nature of the mast cell suggests that its job is to act as the first warning sign that an infection has commenced. Thus homing receptors target the mast cell to sites of primary infections and the cytokines generated are critical for the initiation of a competent immune response. Another major project in the lab is examining the genetic components which dictate the tissue specific transcription of the CD21 (Cr2) gene. We are using genetic reporter techniques to map novel B cell specific enhancer and T cell silencer elements buried within the CD21 gene. While these elements appear to control B cell expression, transgenic approaches are underway to define those gene sequences that dictate CD21 expression by follicular dendritic cells, the only other cell type that expresses CD21. The CD21 proteins (there are two created by a complicated pattern of alternative splicing) are implicated in complement regulation, immune complex removal and B cell activation. We are examining CD21 function based upon the creation of dominant negative constructs and their subsequent analysis in transgenic animals.

Garrison S, Hojgaard A, Margraf R, Weis JJ, Weis JH. Surface translocation of pactolus is induced by cell activation and death, but is not required for neutrophil migration and function. J Immunol. Dec 15 2003;171(12):6795-806.

Bolz DD, Sundsbak RS, Ma Y, Akira S, Kirschning CJ, Zachary JF, Weis JH, Weis JJ. MyD88 plays a unique role in host defense but not arthritis development in Lyme disease. J Immunol. Aug 1 2004;173(3):2003-10.

Ronald L. Weiss, M.D., M.B.A.:

Areas of research interest are (1) laboratory management and (2) hematopathology. I would be interested in collaborating on projects related to laboratory management issues or applied projects in hematopathology, particularly flow cytometry.

Weiss RL. Will the Medicare payment system for clinical laboratory services change in the future? Lab Medicine. 2005;36(5):304-306.

Weiss RL. Effectively managing your reference laboratory relationship. Clin Leadership Manag Rev 2003 17(6):325-327.

Carl T. Wittwer, M.D., Ph.D.

Areas of research interest are (1) Nucleic acid amplification techniques, instrumentation and applications. Specific projects include (1) fluorescent methods for PCR detection, (2) kinetics and thermodynamics of PCR, (3) genotyping and scanning. There is no minimum duration of commitment in the lab. Literacy, college math, biology and chemistry are preferred. Interest in molecular biology is required. General focus on technology/methodology development, particularly in molecular areas.

Wittwer CT, Reed GH, Gundry CN, Vandersteen JG, Pryor RJ. High-resolution genotyping by amplicon melting analysis using LCGreen. Clin Chem. June 2003;49(6 Pt 1):853-60.

Gingeras TR, Higuchi R, Kricka LJ, Lo YMD, Wittwer CT. Fifty years of Molecular (DNA/RNA) diagnostics. Clin Chem. 2005;51:661-71.

Wittwer CT, Kusukawa N. Nucleic Acid Techniques, in Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, 4 th ed, Burtis C, Ashwood ER and Bruns DE, eds. Elsevier Science, Philadelphia, in press, 2005.

James T. Wu, Ph.D.:

Wu LL, Chiou CC, Chang PY, Wu JT. Urinary 8-OhdG: a marker of oxidative stress to DNA and a risk factor for cancer, atherosclerosis and diabetics. Clin Chim Acta. Jan 2004;339(1-2):1-9.

Erickson JA, Cousin R, Wu JT, Ashwood ER. Quantitative Spectrophotometric Microplate Assay for Angiotensin-converting Enzyme in Cerebrospinal Fluid. Clin Chem . 2003 Jun;49(6):970-2.

Lily H.L. Wu, Ph.D.:

Wu LL, Chiou CC, Chang PY, Wu JT. Urinary 8-OhdG: a marker of oxidative stress to DNA and a risk factor for cancer, atherosclerosis and diabetics. Clin Chim Acta. Jan 2004;339(1-2):1-9.

Wang T, Nakajima K, Leary ET, Warnick GR, Cohn JS, Hopkins PN, Wu LL, Cilla DD, Zhong J, Havel RJ. Ratio of ramnant-like partical-cholesterol to serum total triglycerides is an effective alternative to ultracentrifugal and electrophoretic methods in the diagnosis of familial type III hyperlipoproteinemia. Clin Chem 1999, 45:1981-7.

Hong (Holly) Zhou, M.D.:

Hong B, Chen Z, Coffin CM, Lemons R, Issa B, Brothman A, Zhou H. Molecular cytogenetic analysis of a pleuropulmonary blastoma. Cancer Genet Cytogenet . 2003 Apr 1;142(1):65-9.

Coffin CM, Lowichik A, Zhou H. Treatment effects in pediatric soft tissue and bone tumors: practical considerations for the pathologist. Am J Clin Pathol. Jan 2005;123(1):75-90. Review.