The CTSI K12 Mentored Career Development Award provides two years of support for early-career faculty from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Atrium Health involved in translational research to expand their skills and competencies under the guidance of an experienced, multi-disciplinary mentoring team, within the context of a learning healthcare system and rapidly evolving academic research environment.
Learn More About Our K12/KL2 Scholars:
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Krishnaiah Maddeboina, PhDAdjunct Assistant Professor, Biochemistry Krishnaiah Maddeboina, PhD is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM), and member of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center (AHWFBCCC) in the Molecular and Cellular Oncology (MCO) program and a Research Assistant Professor of the Molecular Targeted Therapeutics Lab at Atrium Health’s Levine Cancer Institute where he conducts in silico design and development of novel multitarget inhibitors for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. "In Silico Design, Synthesis and Development of Novel Chemotypes Targeting Synthetic Lethalities Against Kinase/Epigenetic Targets; PI3Kδ-CDK4/6-BRD4 and PI3Kδ-CDK4/6-EZH2 Inhibitors For The Treatment Drug Resistant Cancer"Drug resistance is a significant problem in cancer therapeutics and a consequence of treatment with single targeted drugs resulting an adaptive kinome and epigenetic rewiring of the cancer cell. Our central hypothesis is simultaneous targeting of oncogenic and epigenetic regulators with one small molecule represents an effective strategy to treat ibrutinib resistant mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and other cancers. This K12 project will optimize of lead candidate potency, selectivity, and PK, as well as evaluate safety and efficacy in vitro and in vivo using MCL model. |
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Eleftherios Makris, MD, PhD
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Dori Beeler, PhDAdjunct Assistant Professor, Hematology & Oncology
Dori Beeler, PhD is an adjunct assistant professor at Wake Forest School of Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology/Oncology and a research scientist in the Department of Supportive Oncology at Atrium Health’s Levine Cancer Institute where she conducts symptom science research with a focus on cancer-related fatigue. "Patient Descriptors of Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study of Cancer Survivors"This K12 mixed-methods pilot study will create a CRF visual aid to help alleviate patient-clinician communication barriers, support the systematic assessment of in cancer-related fatigue, and serve as an assessment catalyst among survivors. |
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Mitchell Ladd, MD
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Mariana Wingood, PhD, PT, DPT, MPHAssistant Professor, Implementation Science and Gerontology Dr. Wingood is a physical therapist and an assistant professor with a primary appointment in Implementation Science and a secondary appointment in Section of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine. Her main research focuses on integrating physical activity assessments and behavior change techniques into Geriatrics. "Increasing Physical Therapists’ Adoption of Techniques that Address Older Adults' Inadequate Physical Activity Levels: Testing an Implementation Blueprint"Dr. Wingood has developed a three-step algorithm for assessing and addressing inadequate physical activity among older adults. This K12 project will evaluate an implementation plan aimed at increasing the use of the three-step algorithm in outpatient physical therapy. |
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Mohsen Bahrami, MS, PhDAssistant Professor, Radiology
Dr. Bahrami is an assistant professor of Radiology whose main research focus is on developing novel fusions of statistical and machine learning tools with network science to study the complex impacts of brain disorders. "Cerebral Small Vessel Disease and Brain Networks: Defining Resilience and Global Disruption"The vascular contributions to cognitive dysfunction and decline are seen as key modifiable risk factors; however, the extent to which vascular lesions in the brain impact global integrity of brain networks are still unclear. This KL2 Award aims to address this important gap. |
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Thomas Lycan, Jr., DO, MHS
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Morgan Walls, MD, MSAssistant Professor, Pediatrics Dr. Walls is an assistant professor of Pediatrics whose main research focus is on reducing health gaps for children with developmental and behavioral disabilities and disorders such as autism spectrum disorder. "Developing a Primary Care Intervention to Improve Family-Centered, Culturally Sensitive Care for Black Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder"This KL2 project will examine the unmet needs, barriers, and facilitators related to care consistent with a patient-centered medical home for Black children with autism spectrum disorder. |
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Halley Alexander, MDAssistant Professor, Neurology Dr. Alexander is an assistant professor of Neurology with subspecialty in epilepsy whose main research focus is to improve treatment options for people with epilepsy, with special attention to epilepsy-associated comorbidities. "A Feasibility Study of a Step-Goal Based Physical Activity Intervention in People with Epilepsy"This KL2 project aims to test the feasibility of a telehealth-delivered, step-goal based physical activity intervention in people with epilepsy utilizing wearable devices, with an emphasis on sustainable behavior change. |
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Sarah Cilvik, MD, PhD
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Bailey Fearing, PhDAssistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute Bailey Fearing, PhD is a research assistant professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Atrium Health’sMusculoskeletal Institute, where she conducts research in basic and translational science of musculoskeletal pathologies. "Efficacy of Coating Strategies to Reduce Orthopaedic Implant-Related Infections"Despite improved surgical techniques and prophylactic procedures, orthopaedic implant-associated infections remain high with complications that can lead to devastating patient outcomes. This project will be the first to study human host cell interaction with physician-directed coatings and establish a time course for use of implant coatings. |
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Samuel P. Carmichael II, MD, MSAssistant Professor,Division of Acute Care Surgery, Department of General Surgery Following completion of a general surgery residency at the University of Kentucky and an Acute Care Surgery fellowship at Wake Forest, Dr. Carmichael currently serves an assistant professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of Acute Care Surgery. "Anti-Fibrotic Therapies for Prevention of Abdominal Adhesions"
Project seeks to develop a preventative strategy for the development of scar (i.e adhesions) within the abdominal cavity following operation. |
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Michael K. Farris, MDAssistant Professor, Radiation Oncology Dr. Farris isthe lead of thoracic radiation oncology and co-director of the lung cancer disease oriented team at Wake Forest, with a research focus on improving radiation quality assurance and minimizing normal tissue toxicities. "Investigating Radiation Induced Bone Loss Following High Dose Thoracic Irradiation with Stereotactic Body Preventative Radiotherapy (SBRT) and Potential Preventative Strategies"This project is investigating a novel way of visualizing radiation induced bone loss after high dose lung irradiation to peripheral tumors, and potential strategies to prevent bone fractures with prophylactic bisphosphonates. |
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Onengiya Harry, MD, MPH, MSc, FAAPAssistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Rheumatology, Department of Epidemiology and Prevention Dr. Harry is an assistant professor in Pediatric Rheumatology with clinical and research expertise in treatment adherence, transition, and self-management in systemic autoimmune disorders, primarily pediatric-onset lupus. "Enhancing Self-Management in Adolescents with Lupus"Project targets caregiver and individual factors to improve self-management, and ultimately health outcomes, in adolescents with lupus. |
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Shivani Ghoshal, MDAssistant Professor, Neurology Dr. Shivani Ghoshal is a neuro-intensivist and board-certified neurosonologist. Her research evaluates intradialytic changes in cerebral hemodynamics and their impact on cognitive decline in end-stage renal disease. "Relationships Between Cerebral Hemodynamics as Measured by Transcranial Doppler (TCD) During Dialysis on MRI-measured Anatomy and Cognitive Function"
In this KL2 project I propose the use of Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography to identify potentially useful predictors of cognitive impairment in dialysis patients. |
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Ashish Khanna, FCCM, FCCP, MDAssociate Professor, Anesthesiology Dr. Ashish Khanna is an intensivist and anesthesiologist, associate professor and section head for research within the Department of Anesthesia, Section on Critical Care Medicine with a keen interest in perioperative clinical outcomes research both within and outside the critical care environment. His research will examine the need for continuous portable hemodynamic and respiratory monitoring on hospital wards with an emphasis on detection of events, accessing alarm fatigue and decreasing myocardial injury from undetected hypotension. "A Pilot Trial of Continuous Portable Postoperative Hemodynamic and Saturation Monitoring on Hospital Wards"
This project’s primary objective is to show that continuous portable hemodynamic and respiratory monitoring on hospital wards allows clinicians to intervene early and effectively, thus reducing patient exposure to hypotension, tachycardia, and hypoxemia. |
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Jason Stopyra, MD, MSAssociate Professor, Emergency Medicine Dr. Jason Stopyra is double certified emergency physician and EMS medical director that found a passion in EMS research.Jason has nearly 20 years of experience treating patients that live in rural areas of North Carolina. RURAL STEMI "RUral dispaRities in prehospitAL STEMI"
The goal of his KL2 research is to improve outcomes for patients with heart attacks living in rural areas that receive their initial care by EMS. |
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Heidi Munger Clary, MD, MPHAssistant Professor, Neurology Dr. Heidi Munger Clary is making a significant impact in the world of neurological medicine as the chair of the Psychosocial Comorbidities committee within the American Epilepsy Society (AES) and chair of the American Academy of Neurology Epilepsy Quality Measure Workgroup. Through the AES, she was able to provide some input into the new development of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) epilepsy research benchmarks. "Anxiety and Depression in Epilepsy: Assessing Outcomes via the Electronic Health Record"
This study is designed to assess the feasibility of using the patient portal component of the electronic medical record (EMR) to assess 3- and 6- month depression, anxiety, and quality of life outcomes among individuals with epilepsy and high or borderline anxiety or depression symptoms. Embedded in the enrollment process for this study is a theory-informed implementation of anxiety and depression screening in routine care using electronic tools embedded in the EMR. |
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Chandylen L. Nightingale, PhDAssistant Professor, Social Sciences and Health Policy Dr. ChandylenNightingale’s graduate school research in head and neck cancers took her into a cancer center daily, she says she saw a troubling pattern: patients were “coming with their family caregivers who were completely overwhelmed, really struggling and not being tended to in the way that patients were—nobody was really taking the time to ask the caregiver how they were doing." "CONNECTing Caregivers to Supportive Services (CONNECT): A Technology-Based Intervention to Connect Cancer Caregivers with Supportive Care Resources"
The long-term goal of this research is to improve supportive care delivery for cancer caregivers of newly diagnosed patients and improving both caregiver and patient well-being by providing education about the benefits of supportive care resources, systematically identifying their unmet needs, and connecting them with tailored supportive care resources |
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Erin Barnes, MDAssistant Professor, Infectious Disease "Development of an E.H.R. Case Identification Tool for Intravenous Drug Use Infective Endocarditis (IDU-IE)" |
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Amber Brooks, MDAssistant Professor, Anesthesiology Dr. Amber Brooks isa board certified anesthesiologist and comprehensive pain management physician who specializes in treating a variety of different pain conditions using a multimodal approach that includes treatments such as medication, injection therapies, and movement therapies. Dr. Brooks works closely with her patients to develop a treatment plan that focuses on improving physical function and quality of life. "Development of Behavioral eHealth Treatment for Obese, Older Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain"
We propose to develop Health-Pad to build patient knowledge of the utility of behavioral pain treatments and to facility delivery of eHealth behavioral treatment tools to a vulnerable patient population: obese, older adults with chronic low back pain. |
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Deepak Palakshappa, MDAssociate Professor, General Internal Medicine "Impact of Food Insecurity on Obesity Care for Obese Children and Adults"
This project seeks to determine if children and adults with obesity who are food insecure are more likely to have medical co-morbidities and develop a web-based tool to enhance obesity care among patients in food insecure households. |
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Jaime Speiser, PhDAssistant Professor, Biostatistics and Data Science Dr. Jaime Speiser'smain research interest is developing machine-learning methodology for prediction modeling. Specifically, her recent work focuses on extending decision tree and random forest algorithms for clustered and longitudinal data. "Random Forest Methodology for Longitudinal Outcomes in Aging" |
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Ken Kishida, PhDAssociate Professor, Physiology and Pharmacology "Neurobiology of Dopamine and Serotonin Signaling During Social Exchange in Humans"This project will determine the impact of indirect social exchange (i.e. ‘observed behavior’) on subsecond dopamine and serotonin fluctuations in humans during adaptive decision-making and measure the impact of direct social exchange on sub-second dopamine and serotonin fluctuations using two established neuroeconomic tasks. |
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Zach McIver, DO, PhD, FACPAssociate Professor, Hematology and Oncology "Photodepletion Techniques to Prevent Graft-Versus-Host-Disease (GVHD) in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation"
The primary objective of this project is to develop the ex-vivo SD technique with 2-Se-Cl using familial haploidentical human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by comparing reactivity after photodepletion against the original cells. |
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Roy Strowd III, MD, MEd, MSAssistant Professor, Neurology Dr. Roy Strowd III is aneurologist, neuro-oncologist, clinical trialist, and educator who specializes in brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerve tumors. He is an expert in brain tumor treatment and has led several national, multi-institution clinical trials through large cooperative groups including the Adult Brain Tumor Consortium (ABTC) and Alliance for Clinical Trials in Neuro-Oncology. "Determining the Competence of the Immune System Over the First Year of Therapy in Patients with Malignant Glioma: A Battery of Quantitative, Qualitative and Functional Measures of Immune Readiness"
In this KL2, we propose a clinical trial of patients with newly diagnosed malignant gliomas to determine the changes in blood leukocytes and lymphocyte subpopulations to measure and compare the readiness of the immune system to respond to immunotherapy using an influenza vaccine model of the memory response and a hepatitis vaccine model of the naïve response prior to and following chemoradiation. |
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Jillian Urban, MPH, PhDAssistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering Dr. Jillian Urban'sprimary research focuses on combining injury biomechanics and public health to inform evidence-based recommendations to reduce head impact exposure and improve sport safety in youth populations. She has conducted observational, quantitative analyses of head impact data and has a strong background in collecting, analyzing and interpreting on-field data from head-impact sensors in youth sports. She also has specialized training in injury biomechanics and public health with a publication record using contextualized biomechanical data to understand factors influencing head impact exposure in sports. "Cumulative Exposure to Subconcussive Head Impacts in Youth Football Athletes"
This project aims to better understand the biomechanical basis of concussion in on-field head impact exposure in youth and high school football athletes using helmet-mounted sensors to collect and analyze on-field head impact data. The data gathered and methods developed as part of this effort will be used to support research on epidemiological modeling of head impact exposure for the development of prevention strategies and behavioral interventions in youth sports. |