Research by Specialization
VCU Medical Center is made up of faculty with a wide range of research interests. There is active intra-departmental as well as inter-departmental collaboration directed primarily by the mutual interest in a given disease process. To provide insight into the ongoing research in the department, we have categorized active research it under various research foci.
Below you will find some of our current research listed by specialization and research foci. Click on the researcher's name to go to their page in the VCU Faculty Expertise Directory.
Cardiology
- Dr. Kenneth Ellenbogen is the PI of a 65-center study of conduction system pacing for cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with heart failure and conduction system disease, funded by PCORI.
- Dr. Greg Hundley, division chair, is leading a study into chronic psychosocial stress and cardiovascular dysfunction in cancer survivorship, funded by the American Heart Association Strategically-Focused Research Network.
- Dr. Jayanthi Koneru is the new head of the Kenneth A. Ellenbogen Electrophysiology Lab, where researchers study a wide range of diagnostic and treatment tools for rhythm disorders.
- Dr. Jordana Kron specializes in sarcoidosis research.
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
- Dr. Edmond ‘Trey’ Wickham’s research into obesity across the lifespan includes motivational interviewing, reducing stigma and bias for patients with obesity and diabetes, and the use of simulation in fostering trainees’ attitude and skills regarding diabetes self-management.
Dr. Trang Le works closely with our cystic fibrosis (CF) center to study the treatment of CF-related diabetes.
Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
- VCU is part of the NIDDK NASH Clinical Research Network, consortium that conducts clinical trials and translational studies to objectively define outcomes and develop biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and response to treatment. Numerous researchers in the division study mechanisms and treatments for the disease.
- Dr. Shunlin Ren studies lipid metabolism and the way the body regulates inflammation and cellular stress, which has led to the discovery of a promising small molecule for the treatment of alcohol-associated hepatitis.
- Dr. Richard Sterling studies the population of liver patients with ongoing HIV infection, including HBV and NAFLD patients.
- The recently established SSLI conducts cutting-edge research on liver disease. See more information here
General Internal Medicine
- The VCU SCD program has, over the course of decades, been a leader in SCD research, studying mechanisms, clinical concerns such as pain management and transition from pediatric to adult care, and treatments, including groundbreaking new gene therapies. The program is led by Dr. Wally Smith. See more information on the Sickle Cell Program webpage.
Geriatric
- Dr. Carl “Christian” Bergman has ongoing research into the improvement of nursing home care, particularly for patients with dementia. Much of this work has revolved around established care home networks for disseminating best practices as they evolve.
Hematology, Oncology, and Palliative Care
DYRK1A signaling in control of cell growth, proliferation and DNA damage repair
Project Number: 5R01CA188571-04
Cell proliferation is controlled by the mechanisms that promote quiescence and senescence; deregulation of these processes leads to cancer. DYRK1A protein kinase is required for quiescence and senescence by promoting the functions of the retinoblastoma family of tumor suppressors. The mechanisms of functionand regulation of DYRK1A are poorly understood, therefore this grant proposes to elucidate the DYRK1A signaling pathway, which controls cell proliferation and could play a role in the pathogenesis of cancer.
The role of the MBD2-NURD complex in gamma-globin gene silencing
Project Number: 1R01DK115563-01A1
This project is aimed at alleviating the major public health problem posed by sickle cell anemia and β-Thalassemia through facilitating development of new safe and effective treatment. The fundamental epigenetic mechanisms under study controlled by the MBD2-NURD transcriptional protein complex also bear on hematologic malignancies and other cancers.
Targeting multiple myeloma with Smac-mimetics and HDAC inhibitors
Project Number: 5R01CA205607-04
Despite recent advances, multiple myeloma remains an incurable disease, and consequently, new and more effective treatment approaches are urgently needed. The purpose of this project is to develop a novel therapeutic strategy involving two new classes of agents (i.e., Smac-mimetics and histone deacetylase inhibitors) that target important genetically abnormal pathways in multiple myeloma, with the ultimate goal of developing a rational basis for a new therapy for refractory/relapsed multiple myeloma, a disease for which satisfactory treatment options are currently lacking.
NIH R01 Strategies for Persistent Agitated Delirium in Palliative Care
Delirium or altered mental state is a critical yet poorly understood and undertreated problem in patients with advanced cancer admitted for palliative care. This project will test the effect of novel combination therapies that include neuroleptics and benzodiazepine rotation on a score for delirium developed at VCU, the Richmond Agitation Sedation Score (RASS). Outcomes will also include caregiver comfort, delirium related stress in caregivers and nurses and symptom expression, along with molecular correlates that will be tested such as IL-6 and IL-8 for future predictive biomarkers.
DOD Pilot Grant - Role of C-Terminal Binding Protein as Oncogene and Therapeutic Target in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer has lagged other cancers in the development of targeted therapy due to the lack of gene mutations that are required for efficacy of this newest class of anti-cancer agents. As such, chemotherapy remains the mainstay of ovarian cancer treatment. This work provides a new path forward for ovarian cancer, by defining a novel transcription factor target. CtBP, as key to progression of ovarian cancer. The work will test a novel chemical inhibitor of CtBP that has shown efficacy in colon and breast cancer, to determine if it will slow progression or eradicate ovarian cancer in a variety of mouse models of human ovarian cancer.
- VCU is home to Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. See more information about their research programs here.
Hospital Medicine
- Dr. Vimal Mishra and Dr. Alan Dow are working on this clinical grant project
- Dr. Evan Meadors is working on the education initiative.
- Dr. Georgia Thomas is working on this longitudinal pilot study.
- Dr. Somaya Albhaisi leads this COVID registry initiative.
- Please see the Division of Hospital Medicine research page.
Infectious Diseases
- Dr. Yussef Bennani, Dr. Laura Pedersen, and Dr. Mandy Cho all conduct research related to the specific ID concerns of HIV+ patients.
- The Mid-Atlantic Transplant ID Society was created by Dr. Megan Morales and a mentor of hers from Johns Hopkins. The society, MATIDS, for short, includes groups from all over Virginia and into D.C. and Maryland. At bi-monthly meetings, the group discusses difficult cases, policy development, and strengthening their local networks—all with the goal of supporting the care of transplant patients.
- Dr. Akira Shishido studies emerging infectious diseases, biodefense, and tropical medicine.
Nephrology
- KiTE is a multidisciplinary research collaborative focused on advancing kidney health. Research areas include precision nephrology, transplant nephrology, and chronic kidney disease generally. Find more information and active studies on the KiTE webpage.
Pulmonary
- Dr. Mario Acunzo and his research group design artificial small RNA molecules to target cancer-causing mutations. He also studies post-transcriptional RNA modifications in lung cancer.
- Dr. Danai Khemasuwan conducts research on pleural and airway diseases, as well as on the integration of machine learning tools into medicine.
- Please see the Sime lab webpage
Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology
- Dr. Huzaefah Syed and Dr. Rabia Gill are working on this quality improvement project.
- Dr. Huzaefah Syed is conducting research in this area.
- Dr. Rabia Gill and Dr. Neha Gupta are working on a quality improvement initiative to reduce time from presentation to diagnosis of GCA, thereby reducing morbidity from disease; ensure appropriate use of steroids and reduce unnecessary steroid burden; and reduce unnecessary testing and referrals.
- Dr. Rabia Gill is conducting research to identify gaps in training and expertise in Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies (IIM) outcome measures.
- Dr. Nahal Shah is developing this gout registry to serve as a research resource.
- Dr. Darshana Alle is evaluating the accuracy of penicillin allergy labels with the EMR.
- Dr. Quang Le is working on this project, funded by a Massey Cancer Center pilot grant.