Research at the RAHC
TB Research RAHC-Edinburg
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of death all over the world. My laboratory, located at the UTHSCSA-Regional Academic Health Center in Edinburg, TX, is conducting research to better understand the pathogenic mechanisms of the pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which causes TB in humans. Additionally, development of genetically engineered vaccines using molecular approaches is also in progress. Following are the research projects that are currently underway in my lab.
ATSDR
In May of 2002 UT Health Science Center San Antonio, on behalf of the RAHC, signed a memorandum of agreement with The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to promote the incorporation of environmental health into medical school curriculum. In October of 2002, through a cooperative agreement with Hispanic Serving Health Profession Schools (HSHPS), Dr. Tina Fields and Dr. Leonel Vela were awarded $200,000 to develop environmental medicine curriculum and provide environmental health training to health professionals and residents of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The grant was recently renewed for FY 2004 with an additional $200,000.
Kleberg Medical Research Grant
UT Health Science Center San Antonio received funds from the Kleberg Foundation to fund the Kleberg Medical Scholars Program at the RAHC. In 2003, seven residents were award scholarships to fund their community-based research projects. The 2003 Kleberg Medical Scholars and their projects are:
- Dr. James Walter Castillo is studying the "Do not resuscitate" orders in an intensive care setting in the Lower RIo Grande Valley.
- Dr. Gustavo Garcia is screening for drug-resistant tuberculosis along the Texas-Mexico Border.
- Dr. Robert J. Hernandez is researching the incidence of undefined anemia's and the effectiveness of those evaluations in a predominantly Mexican-American population.
- Dr. Mauricio Orrego is focusing on NASH in the Rio Grande Valley.
- Dr. Nolan Edward Perez is conducting a study of hepatitis C. Epidemiology.
- Dr. Abha Sarawal-Gyani is using her Kleberg support to study blood fat problems among diabetics.
- Dr. Laxman Sunder is doing research on early recognition of renal disease and its complications, and the prevalence of renal disease in the diabetic population in the Valley.
As part of the Kleberg Scholars program, the first annual Keynote Address was held in August 2003. Robert M. Nelson, MD, PhD, was the first keynote speaker for the conference. Dr. Nelson is currently Associate Professor of Anesthesia and Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. He spoke to attendees on "Suffering, Pain and Death: REflections on the Limits of MEdicine." Plans are already underway for next year's conference.
Hispanic Nutrition Center
In May of 2002, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSC) announced receipt of a federal appropriation of $100,000 by the 107th U.S. Congress to fund the first and only U.S. Hispanic Nutrition Research and Education Center. This center will be located in the Regional Academic Health Center facility in Harlingen, which also houses the RAHC Medical Education Division.
U.S. Senator John Cornyn was successful in leading the move to secure $100,000 to jump-start this new center at the RAHC. The funding will help UT Health Science Center San Antonio faculty conduct necessary research to develop the nutrition education programs that will improve the nutrition and dietary needs of the Hispanic population in South Texas.
"The U.S. Hispanic Nutrition Research and Education Center is a long-term effort by the Health Science Center to understand how diet and nutrition - in combination with genetic, social, psychological, socioeconomic, cultural and environmental factors - affect the health and wellness of the U.S. Hispanic population, " said Leonel Vela, M.D., MPH, Regional Dean, Regional Academic Health Center, and principal investigator of the project.
The Lower Rio Grande Valley is one of the fastest growing regions in the country and is home to high rates of diabetes and other infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, dengue fever and hepatitis. This confluence of factors makes the region an ideal location for research how nutrition impacts health and disease in the Hispanic population.