Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine - Pediatrics
Research Summary:
Associate Residency Director for Internal Medicine/Pediatrics
Director of Adult Sickle Cell Transitional Care
Linwood Site Director for Residency
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine; Public Health and General Preventive Medicine
Research Summary:
I provide care to acutely ill patients admitted to the inpatient wards at Erie County Medical Center. My training in both internal medicine and general preventive medicine enables me not only to manage these patients’ acute illnesses, but also to help them develop plans to halt or slow the progression of their chronic diseases, to prevent any potential related complications and to increase their wellness. I strive to practice the principles of evidence-based medicine, integrating the best available research evidence with patients’ circumstances, values and preferences.
As a clinical epidemiologist, I participate in national and international efforts to define best medical practices and help clinicians adopt them. I have played a primary role in developing guidelines for physicians on the best approaches to preventing and treating clotting diseases including pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, stroke, ischemic heart disease and peripheral artery disease. I have been involved with the World Health Organization (WHO) in developing guidance for low- and middle-income countries on preventing and treating HIV in vulnerable populations. I have similarly been involved in WHO global efforts to improve the health professionals’ training and retention in rural and underserved areas.
I also enjoy teaching undergraduate, graduate, and medical students as well as training medical residents. This gives me the pleasure of developing future generations of physicians and other health workers, and it keeps me challenged to stay up-to-date on my own medical knowledge and skills.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Hematology; Oncology
Research Summary:
Opportunistic infections in the Immunocompromised Host
Resistant bacteria in patients with malignancies
Vascular Catheter Infections
My primary research interest focuses on opportunistic infections in allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant recipients. In particular, my aim is to investigate viral infections in association with the immune status of recipients and to identify factors to classify high risk groups. I also study infections associated with the suppression of B and T-cells by novel agents used in the treatment of hematologic diseases such as monoclonal antibodies. In addition, we are looking at the epidemiology of VRE in patients with various malignancies in order to study the pathogenesis and modes of transmission as well as determine the virulence and rate of mortality of infections caused by resistant strains. An additional area of interst is studying the pathogenesis, early diagnosis and management of catheter related bacteremias.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Allergy and Immunology; Rheumatology; Immunology; Autoimmunity
Research Summary:
My research revolves around IL-14 and its role in immunological memory. Studies delve into 3 areas - vaccination, autoimmunity and lymphoid malignancies.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine
Research Summary:
My main research interests are in the areas of health economics and strategies to improve clinical reasoning skills among medical trainees. I am designing a study comparing strategies that improve cost consciousness among medical residents. I am also partnering with the School Management in using Information Technology to improve the ‘test ordering’ behavior by residents in the ambulatory care clinic. My other interests include techniques to improve clinical reasoning among students and residents.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Critical Care Medicine; Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine; Pulmonary Disease; Sleep Medicine
Research Summary:
My main interest are in clinical aspects of pulmonary medicine and sleep medicine.
I am also board certified in Sleep Medicine and am involved in the Sleep Medicine Fellowship as well as the Pulmonary and Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Fellowships. I have a active clinical practice in Sleep Medicine and Pulmonary Disease.
I am also involved in clinical research of sleep apnea.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Children and Adults; Internal Medicine; Internal Medicine - Pediatrics; Pediatrics
Research Summary:
Born and raised in Western New York, I graduated from UB medical school & trained at the Med-Peds residency at SUNY Buffalo. I joined the faculty of the UB Med-Peds Program in 1997, during which I obtained my masters in epidemiology in 2005. I became the Program Director for the Med-Peds residency in 2006 and the chief of the division in 2008. I am board-certified in both internal medicine and pediatrics, and have been seeing patients in an underserved community and transitional health care clinic for the disabled at the Elmwood Health Center. I have been the adult cystic fibrosis program director since 2009. My interests are in the transitional health care for pediatric patients with chronic disease and medical education.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine; Nephrology
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine
Research Summary:
I provide outpatient primary care service at Erie County Medical Center. I treat patients with multiple chronic medical problems such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and high cholesterol, providing proactive, preventative and compassionate care for these complex cases. My practice emphasizes coordinating care across interdisciplinary teams and helping patients make therapeutic lifestyle changes through diet, exercise and weight loss. I take great pleasure in working with diverse, underserved patients, including patients with mental illnesses, helping them understand their disease, overcome barriers to treatment and address the causes of noncompliance.
As a medical director of the Internal Medicine Clinic, I am actively engaged in several ongoing quality improvement projects to improve patient safety and the quality of care we provide. I have led initiatives to design and optimize clinical workflows and to implement Allscript Enterprise Electronic Health Records (EHR) in all outpatient clinics at ECMC, building a framework to provide consistent care throughout our health care system. Through benchmarking evidence-based national quality standards and providing physician leadership in using EHR and Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) programs, I hope to lay the groundwork for a twenty-first century health care system.
I am passionate about teaching and education. I provide mentoring, teaching and supervision for medical students and the 16 residents at our clinic. My goal is to create great leaders and excellent physicians for the future.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Cardiology; Cardiovascular Disease; Internal Medicine
Specialty/Research Focus:
Infectious Disease
Research Summary:
Immunoregulatory roles of macrophage gangliosides.
Role of alveolar macrophages in the pathogenesis of COPD
Haemophilus influenzae adherence
Research interests of this laboratory focus on two key areas. Our first area of interest concentrates on the immunologic roles of mammalian macrophage gangliosides. Gangliosides are sialylated glycosphingolipids that hold diverse immunoregulatory roles as receptors and as mediators of cellular differentiation in many eukaryotic cells. Our studies have encompassed ganglioside regulation of macrophage cytokine production, ganglioside-associated membrane architectural alterations in HIV-infected macrophages, and the receptor roles of macrophage gangliosides for bacterial pathogens. This work will lead to better understanding of mechanisms of macrophage activation, to ultimately permit manipulation of host immune cellular responses.
Our second area of interest centers on the immunomodulation of inflammatory responses of human alveolar macrophages by specific antigens of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae, contributing to the pathogenesis of COPD. Studies encompass defining the repertoire of inflammatory mediators of human alveolar and blood-derived macrophages, modulated by antigens of Haemophilus influenzae and characterizing NTHI-regulated functional and phenotypic immunologic properties of macrophages, in patients with COPD compared with normal subjects. These investigations into fundamental mechanisms of the inflammatory responses of immune cells and their contribution to COPD will provide the basis for designing novel and more effective therapies.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine - General
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine - Pediatrics
Specialty/Research Focus:
Cardiology; Cardiovascular Disease; Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology; Internal Medicine
Research Summary:
An internationally recognized cardiovascular physician-scientist, Dr. Cain is a specialist in abnormal heart rhythms. He is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular diseases and clinical cardiac electrophysiology and pacing. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association and the Heart Rhythm Society.
A former associate editor of Circulation, Cain is a member of the editorial boards of the American Journal of Cardiology, the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine and Heart Rhythm.
His NIH-supported research has focused on determining the mechanisms of life-threatening heart rhythm abnormalities that occur in heart attacks and other conditions that damage heart muscle cells. This information is being used to better characterize and more accurately localize the abnormal heart tissue responsible for these abnormal heart rhythms and to improve the identification of patients at increased risk for sudden cardiac death.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Cardiology; Cardiovascular Disease
Research Summary:
As Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, I am responsible for overseeing the clinical, teaching and research programs of the Division of Cardiology at the University at Buffalo. I see outpatients in our ambulatory cardiology practice as well as attend in the CCU at the Buffalo General Hospital and Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. We are currently transitioning all of the cardiovascular programs to the new Global Heart and Vascular Hospital adjacent to the Buffalo General Hospital. On top of this new facility will be the UB Clinical and Translational Research Center which will house laboratories, a clinical research center and a new translational cardiovascular imaging facility. We look forward to occupancy of this innovative, state-of-the art facility in early 2012.
In terms of scientific investigation, our group has a longstanding interest in understanding the adaptive and maladaptive responses of the heart to chronic repetitive ischemia. We conduct translational research in preclinical models of ischemic heart disease and pursue parallel patient oriented investigation in humans with chronic coronary artery disease. Basic investigation involves three major areas which are all directly relevant to human cardiovascular disease and are summarized below.
The first area focuses on identifying the intrinsic adaptive responses of the heart that arise from repetitive ischemia or angina and result in viable, chronically dysfunctional or “hibernating myocardium”. This is an important pathophysiological state to identify clinically since in contrast to a heart attack where the muscle is scarred, left ventricular dysfunction is at least partially reversible with revascularization. To accomplish investigation with this problem, we use high throughput proteomic approaches employing 2D-differential in gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry as well as transcriptional profiling with gene arrays (in collaboration with colleagues at the New York State Center of Bioinformatics and Life Sciences). We have identified that myocyte cellular remodeling, rather than fibrosis, accounts for the persistent dysfunction frequently observed after coronary revascularization. With this information, we can identify new molecular targets for therapeutic intervention.
The second area of investigation involves studies centered on understanding the mechanisms responsible for effecting intrinsic cardiac repair with resident adult stem cell populations residing in the bone marrow and heart. We have demonstrated that a number of diverse interventions (e.g. adenoviral overexpression of FGF-5, selected cholesterol lowering medication such as pravastatin and intracoronary mesenchymal stem cells) all improve myocardial function yet have no effect on myocardial blood flow. The functional improvement appears to arise from endogenous myocyte proliferation which, with each intervention, is accompanied by mobilization of cKit+ and CD133+ bone marrow progenitor cells to the heart. These interventions all stimulate cardiac myocytes to reenter the cell cycle and replace myocytes that were lost via apoptosis during repetitive ischemia. They afford a great potential to effect cardiac repair in pathophysiological states that are not due to irreversible fibrosis. This work is highly relevant to advancing therapeutic options available for patients with heart failure.
The third area of study centers on understanding how chronic ischemia and cellular remodeling predisposes to the development of sudden cardiac arrest form ventricular fibrillation. We have demonstrated considerable spatial inhomogeneity in function, perfusion, cellular and molecular remodeling in hibernating myocardium that results in a substrate that develops spontaneous ventricular fibrillation in the absence of overt evidence of acute ischemia or infarction. We can identify this substrate in vivo by using molecular imaging of myocardial sympathetic innervation with positron emission tomography (PET) and 11C-meta-hydroxyephedrine (HED) which is severely reduced in hibernating myocardium. We are currently pursuing investigation to determine whether continuous telemetry or circulating biomarkers can also be used to predict the remodeling that leads to an increased susceptibility to sudden cardiac arrest from ventricular fibrillation. Our long-term goal is to identify whether there are substrate markers that can better predict the likelihood that spontaneous arrhythmias develop prior to cardiac arrest. This is important since approximately one in three patients present with sudden death in the absence of a heart attack as their first and only manifestation of heart disease.
Finally, we are actively involved in extending our findings in the laboratory to the care of patients with heart disease. As an example, we have translated our preclinical observations to humans through an NIH sponsored clinical trial intended to determine whether imaging myocardial scar or reduced norepinephrine uptake in viable, dysfunctional myocardium with HED and PET can identify a substrate predictive of an increased risk of sudden cardiac death in patients with chronic left ventricular dysfunction. The PAREPET study (Prediction of Arrhythmic Events with Positron Emission Tomography) will determine whether PET imaging can be used to risk stratify patients for sudden death who will be the most likely to benefit from implantation of an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD). If successful, this approach could help identify a patient population with relatively preserved left ventricular function who would benefit from the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death by placement of an implantable cardiac defibrillator. While the rate of sudden death events is lower in this group, they account for a large number of events.
Our academic environment provides a rich opportunity for training in translational cardiovascular medicine. Our long-term goal is to advance the care of patients with heart disease through clinical practice and scientific investigation. Through scientific advances, we hope to contribute to preventing the progression of heart failure and preventing the development of sudden cardiac death.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine - General
Specialty/Research Focus:
Cardiology; Cardiovascular Disease; Critical Care Medicine; Internal Medicine
Research Summary:
I have practiced cardiology in private practice since completing the Cardiology Fellowship at the University at Buffalo‘s School of Medicine in 1989. I recently joined the UB|MD Internal Medicine practice located in the Dent Tower in Amherst, NY. My patient care responsibilities include cardiology consultation, echocardiography, Holter monitoring, and exercise treadmill testing.
As a full-time faculty member in UB‘s School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine) and Medical Director of Outpatient Cardiology, I am involved in patient care in conjunction with teaching medical students, residents and cardiology fellows at Buffalo General Hospital on both the Consultative Service and in the Cardiac Care Unit.
My research interests include preventive cardiology and cutaneous manifestations of coronary artery disease.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Specialty/Research Focus:
Cardiology
Research Summary:
My clinical expertise is in the management of patients with cardiovascular diseases. I use echocardiography, stress testing and nuclear imaging to identify disorders in heart muscle, valvular and vascular function. I have specialized training in the diagnosis and management of patients with cardiac muscle disease (cardiomyopathy) due to decreased contractile function (systolic dysfunction) and diastolic function.
My lab‘s research is focused on identifying novel therapies for the treatment of cardiomyopathy using several approaches. Currently, we are focused on identifying novel growth factors and pathways involved in the differentiation of cardiac and vascular tissues from pluripotent stem cells. This model system allows study of biological steps that occur in the formation and development of the human cardiovascular system. The growth factors and signaling pathways governing this process highlight undiscovered approaches to treatment of heart disease in adults. Our goal is to apply the identified growth factors and pathways as therapies in translational models of heart disease.
Currently we employ high-throughput analysis of stem cell derived cardiovascular precursors (identified by expression of Neuropilin-1) using transcriptional profiling to identify changes in gene expression that occur as stem cells differentiate to the earliest precursors of the human heart and blood vessels. From this dataset we are able to identify the transcriptional mechanism controlling the differentiation process, that represents a master control mechanism governing formation of the heart and vessels. We are applying similar approaches to understand how stem cells from adults with heart and vascular diseases differentiate to cardiac and vascular tissues, and determine if a common mechanism controlling heart and vascular cell formation exists between the developing heart and the adult heart. We employ cardiac stem cell, mesenchymal stem cell, and cancer stem cell models for our adult studies.
In parallel projects, we are focused on understanding the mechanisms that control the growth of early cardiovascular precursor cells derived from stem cells. Expansion of cardiovascular precursor cells is important to understand how these cells grow in development, and provide a means to expand these cells to large quantities for uses in tissue engineering and cell therapy applications.
FInally, a developing project involves understanding the interactions of capillary endothelium and cardiac myocytes using both in vitro and in vivo models. In the setting of heart failure, several endothelial cell derived proteins are abnormally expressed, indicating an under appreciated role for the secretory function of capillary endothelium in the pathogenesis of heart failure.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Apoptosis and cell death; Infectious Disease; Microbial Pathogenesis
Research Summary:
My focus in Infectious Diseases is on enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and Shiga-toxigenic E. coli (STEC, aka EHEC). EPEC is an important cause of diarrhea among children in developing countries. STEC, such as O157:H7, is more common in developed countries. One of my more recent projects is the inhibitory effects of zinc on EPEC and STEC. We have also discovered that zinc enhances the host's nitric oxide defense system against bacterial pathogens.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Nephrology
Research Summary:
As Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine my main orientation is toward clinical care activities in the Nephrology Division. I am involved in caring for hemodialysis patients at Erie County Medical Center and various outpatient dialysis units primarily Renal Care of Buffalo. My other activities include taking care of renal transplant patients after transplant, while in the hospital as well as outpatients. I am involved in supervision and teaching of housestaff including Renal Fellows both in the hospital as well as in the outpatient Renal Hypertension Clinic. My main clinical interests have been in the areas of general Nephrology, kidney stone disease and kidney disease problems associated with drug abuse. My places of practice include ECMC as well as other hospitals in the community including South Buffalo Mercy Hospital and Mount St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston, NY.
My administrative duties include being Medical Director of the hemodialysis unit in West Seneca, NY i.e. Renal Care of Buffalo, as well as Niagara Renal Center in Niagara Falls, NY.
I maintain offices both at Erie County Medical Center and in West Seneca seeing patients, with renal related problems and hypertension both as a consultant and primary care physician.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Cardiovascular Disease; Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
Research Summary:
As a clinician actively involved in patient care, I see patients in my office in the Dent Tower in suburban Amherst, as well as in Buffalo General Hospital on the downtown Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. My specialty is clinical cardiac electrophysiology, which is the field of cardiology that deals with arrhythmias and implantable devices, such as pacemakers and defibrillators. We have assembled a team of cardiac electrophysiologists who work closely together, so that patients who are evaluated for cardiac arrhythmias in our practice have access to state-of-the-art procedures such as catheter ablation and implantable cardiac electrical devices. I have worked toward the development of national guidelines for patient care in the treatment of atrial fibrillation since 2004.
As the chair of the Department of Medicine at the University at Buffalo, I am involved in the education of residents and fellows as well as clinical research, in addition to my administrative responsibilities. My research focus is electrophysiology and pacing, including implantable device therapy and clinical trials in atrial fibrillation. Currently, I am the principal investigator on a study of heart failure patients with atrioventricular block entitled the Block HF Trial. I have been involved in clinical trials for over 23 years which have led to close to 250 publications. I am a member of a number of prominent professional organizations, including the Association of University Cardiologists.
On a national level, I have held numerous national leadership roles, including serving as president of the Heart Rhythm Society. I have also chaired the American College of Cardiology’s Clinical Electrophysiology Committee and the Food and Drug Administration’s Circulatory System Devices Panel. I currently serve as associate editor of one of the key journals in the field of cardiac electrophysiology, Circulation: Arrhythmias and Electrophysiology.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Research Summary:
Vascular cell reactivity encompassing platelet function, endothelial function, monocyte/macrophage function and the interactions between them (adhesion molecules viz lCAM, VCAM, P-selectin, L-selectin, E-selectin, etc.). Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension, aging, infection, etc. and a consequential damage to
lipids, proteins and DNA. Regulation of aromatase, the effect of estrogen on estrogen receptor, androgen receptor and glucocortico receptor (elucidationi of pre- and post-receptor mechanisms in menopause, etc.). Venous reactivity with measurements of venous diameter and flow velocity and the effect of various drugs in NIDDM, IDDM, and IGT. Genetic regulation of aromatase and estrogen receptor. The role of nitric oxide in vascular reactivity, vis-a-vis various complications of diabetes and other factors involved with vascular reactivity. Effects of endotoxin on adhesion molecules, PAF, platelets, ROS and procalcitonin.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine; Oncology; Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine
Specialty/Research Focus:
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine
Research Summary:
I am an Internal Medicine and Preventive Medicine physician with a master degree in Public Health. My job mixes both clinical and non-clinical work. On the clinical side, I am a primary care physician with 10 years of experience specializing in prevalent chronic diseases using an individual as well as a community population approach. On the non-clinical side, I work on quality improvement, where I truly enjoy the rewards and challenges of implementing process change in healthcare, especially in primary care settings. I like my job because it gives me the opportunity to take care of the individual as well as impact the community as a whole.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine
Specialty/Research Focus:
Cardiology
Research Summary:
My research interests primarily involve the myocardial responses and adaptations to chronic ischemia. This research includes both basic and clinical aspects, with the majority of my efforts involved in clinical projects at this time.
Our laboratory has developed a porcine model of chronic hibernating myocardium and our initial work has focused on flow and function with particular attention to inotropic and vasodilatory reserve. In addition to standard physiological measurements and correlations, we are using imaging and telemetry to understand the metabolic, molecular, and electrophysiological adaptations to ischemia and to test various therapies.
My clinical research interests parallel this basic line of investigation. I am interested in using imaging and electrocardiographic monitoring to identify patients with left ventricular dysfunction who are most likely to benefit from advanced device therapies.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine; Nephrology; Transplantation
Research Summary:
I chose to specialize in nephrology because I enjoy the wide breadth of clinical practice that it offers the physician. Even though it is an important part of my practice, nephrology involves more than just the management of acute and chronic renal disease and various modalities of dialysis. I also manage several extra-renal issues ranging from anemia, hypertension, autoimmune and connective tissue disease, electrolyte abnormalities, and bone and mineral health. Care of renal transplant patients also requires that I have a solid understanding of immunobiology and infectious disease to prevent and manage rejection and opportunistic infection.
My position in the School of Medicine & Biomedical Science allows me the opportunity to supervise and teach medical and pharmacy students as well as physicians at all stages of their training including interns, residents, and renal fellows. I spend time caring for patients and supervising trainees on both the inpatient Renal Medicine and Renal Consult services as well as in the outpatient Renal & Hypertension and Transplant Clinics. I care for hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients receiving services in both Erie and Niagara Counties.
My clinical interests in nephrology are broad; I have particular interests in the management of autoimmune and secondary glomerulonephritides. In addition, my training at the Weill Cornell Hypertension Center provided me with focused additional training in the management of refractory, secondary, and perinatal hypertension. My clinical research interests are also wide-ranging and have recently included a project involving the investigation into the long-term renal impacts of the chemotherapy agent ifosfamide in adult cancer patients.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Cardiology; Internal Medicine - General; Cardiopulmonary physiology; Ion channel kinetics and structure
Research Summary:
Dr. Stanley F. Fernandez is a Research Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University at Buffalo. He completed his undergraduate and medical school training at the University of the Philippines and obtained his PhD in pharmacology and toxicology from the University at Buffalo. Subsequently he completed his medical residency and fellowship training in cardiovascular disease at the same institution. In 2010 he joined the faculty of the Department of Medicine at the University at Buffalo. He is actively involved in patient care, in mentoring medical students, residents and fellows, and in basic and translational research. His earlier research involved elucidation of complex effects of angiotensin II on sympathetic neuronal function. He demonstrated that sympathetic neurons have the ability to respond in a bi-directional manner, with the ability to be stimulated or inhibited by angiotensin II depending on existing cytosolic calcium conditions. This initial observation subsequently led to identification of cross-talk mechanisms between angiotensin AT-1 receptors and L-type calcium channels in sympathetic neurons. This work helped establish a cellular basis for combination therapy with angiotensin blockers and calcium channel blockers in clinical hypertension. He later served as sub-investigator for several clinical drug trials in hypertension. His current research is focused on two broad categories: 1) understanding the mechanism and effects of sympathetic denervation and nerve sprouting in a pig model of hibernating myocardium and 2) developing patient-specific, inducible pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac myocytes as a biologic model for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In addition, his clinical interests are in general cardiology with emphasis on echocardiographic imaging, preventive cardiology, resistant hypertension and complex dyslipidemia.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine - Pediatrics
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine; Internal Medicine - Pediatrics; Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine
Specialty/Research Focus:
Palliative Care
Research Summary:
My main areas of interest are biomedical ethics (particularly dealing with incapacitated patients) and palliative medicine, I am also interested in the study of medical decision making, decision analysis and evidence based medicine.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine - General
Research Summary:
I graduated from the University of Buffalo School of Medicine and completed a residency in Internal Medicine at UB as well. I was a Chief Resident in 1990 and subsequently joined the Department of Medicine as a faculty member in the Division of General Internal Medicine. I served as an Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine resident training program until 2008. From 2002 until 2008 I became involved in hospital administration and served as the Chief Medical Officer for the Erie County Medical Center. From 2008 until 2011 I served as the Chief Medical Officer for the Seneca Nation Health Department. During that time I completed a Masters of Public Health at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. In 2011 I returned full time to the Department of Medicine as Division Chief of General Internal Medicine and to ECMCC as VP for Clinical Integration.
Throughout my career I have been very interested in medical education, quality improvement and patient safety. In my role at ECMCC as Vice President for Clinical Integration I have been charged with improving the patient experience and have focused on patient and physician communication. We are currently assessing barriers to effective communication and developing interventions to improve the quality of physician and patient interactions.
I am a Board Member of the P2 Collaborative, the Seneca Diabetes Foundation and the ECMCC Lifeline Foundation.
I am completing a term as the Western NY representative on the NYACP Council.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine
Specialty/Research Focus:
Hematology; Internal Medicine; Oncology
Specialty/Research Focus:
Nephrology
Research Summary:
As Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology, I am responsible for making inpatient rounds on Medicine Nephrology patients admitted at Erie County Medical Center, which also involves supervision and teaching of medical residents, Renal Fellows and Pharmacy students. When on Renal consult rotation, I make rounds with Nephrology l fellows, supervise their procedures and conduct bed side teaching.
I see outpatients in the office twice a week and supervise Renal Fellows in Renal Hypertension Clinic and Transplant clinics at ECMC.
Our program is one the major Renal/Pancreas Transplant centers in the area. Our group conducts research on many aspects of renal transplantation; my particular interest is in the infectious complications of transplantation primarily CMV infections. My area focuses on Campath (Alemtuzumab) induction in renal transplant patients and its association with CMV infection. To investigate this problem, we use flow cytometry techniques to identify and quantify the CMV specific T cells responsible for prevention of CMV infections in these patients.
I am also the Director of one of our satellite dialysis units where I am responsible for patients management, writing and revising dialysis protocols and conducting CQI meetings in accordance to KDIGO and KDOQI guidelines.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine; Medical Oncology
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine; Infectious Disease
Research Summary:
Clinical Care (out-patient): A) Primary Care in HIV: Antiretroviral therapy and management of HIV related comorbidities including HIV co-infecions with hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. B) Out-patient Consult: Management of HIV and chronic hepatitis B. C) In-patient consult: General Infectious Diseases, surgical related infections diseases, infections in immunocompromised patients such as HIV and solid organ transplant recipents.
Research interests:
A) To build a HIV cohort resaerch database as the foundation of epidemiology and future bioinformatics research. B) To establish an Infectious /HIV clinical trial unit and conduct independent/multicenter studies at Erie County Medical Center. C) Global and local collaboration in HIV care, research and education.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine; Medical Oncology
Specialty/Research Focus:
Cardiology
Research Summary:
Dr. Iyer is a board certified interventional cardiologist with a passion for patient care, teaching and scientific investigation. Patient care responsibilities are provided at the Buffalo General Hospital on the Consultative Service as well as the Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) where he is the Medical Director for Cardiac Services. Outpatient cardiac services are also provided at the UBMD ambulatory practice.
Areas of expertise include general cardiology, interventional cardiology (peripheral and structural heart interventions) and complex valve disorders. Research interests involve investigational interventional devices, stem cell therapeutics and acute coronary syndromes. Work at the Center for Research in Cardiovascular Medicine has focused on hibernating myocardium, stem cell therapeutics for acute and chronic cardiovascular conditions. Future interests include the development of effective regional systems of care for acute coronary syndromes.
Dr. Iyer is a member of the American Heart Association, American College of Physicians, Society for Coronary Angiography and Interventions, and the American College of Cardiology.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine
Research Summary:
(1) Role of the sympathoadrenal system in hypertension, postural adaptation, and long-term cardiovascular adaptation
(2) Control of regional and systemic blood flow during acute stress responses
(3) Mechanisms of stress responses and vacoreactivity, both in vivo and in vitro, including metabolic interactions
(4) Cardiovascular drug effects
(5) Outcomes of drug therapies
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine - General
Research Summary:
I am a recent graduate of the University at Buffalo Internal Medicine Residency Program. I obtained my Medical Doctor Degree at Omsk State Medical Academy, Russia, followed by a Masters Degree in Biomedical Sciences at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. My current interests include medical education and hospital medicine.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine
Specialty/Research Focus:
Gastroenterology; Psychology
Research Summary:
I am the director of the Behavioral Medicine Clinic at ECMC and an associate professor in the Department of Medicine at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. My primary research interest is the biobehavioral aspects of persistent pain disorders with a focus on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Since 1999, my research has received continual federal support through the National Institutes of Health/NIDDK. Most recently, I was awarded a seven–year, $8.9 million grant to test the efficacy of behavioral self-management treatment for IBS, which is ongoing. My research program focuses on identifying psychosocial mechanisms underlying IBS; utilizing this information to develop behavioral treatment using innovative delivery systems; testing the efficacy of these treatments in randomized controlled trials; and specifying how these treatments work, the conditions under which they are most efficacious, and their cost effectivness. I have also been a principal investigator of a number of industry–funded clinical trials featuring innovative pharmacological agents for IBS. I have published numerous articles in scientific journals including Gastroenterology, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Pain, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, and Behaviour Research and Therapy. I lecture extensively about IBS and other painful medical disorders and assist various health care organizations on ways to improve the quality of care for patients with persistent pain disorder.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine
Research Summary:
My research and clinical interests cover a broad range of issues, including the health status of geographically isolated human populations, international health, and the complexities of managing medical complications of pregnancy. My international work has involved providing care and medical educational programs for refugees under the auspices of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (Thailand, Cambodia) and consulting for the World Health Organization‘s Collaborating Center for Health in Housing based in Buffalo. I have a long-term interest in the relationships between environmental factors and human health. I have maintained an active research program studying the health of isolated populations in Northern Kenya (Rendille tribe), Brazil (Kayapo, Parakana, and Apalai tribes), and the Northwestern Himalaya (Ladakh). Twenty-five years ago I developed the Medical Trek Program at the University at Buffalo. The medical treks have allowed a variety of students to participate in field work with isolated populations. I served as secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Yale-China Association and maintain active academic interchange with medical schools in Hong Kong, Changsha (Hunan Province), and Beijing. I write and speak about the effects of environmental and pharmaceutical chemicals upon pregnancy and fetal development. I am Medical Director for Ecology and Environment, Inc., and have been a member of their Medical Advisory Board for 30 years. I provide medical consultation for evaluating claims for personal injury and serve as a Consultant Physician to the Travelers Health and Immunization Center in Buffalo. I am also consultant in internal medicine to the Buffalo Zoo. I am editor of "Medical Care of the Pregnant Patient" published by the American College of Physicians and founding editor of "Obstetric Medicine" published by the Royal Society of Medicine.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine; Endocrinology
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine; Medical Oncology
Specialty/Research Focus:
Hematology
Research Summary:
My research interests are as follows: hematology; immunohematology; complement activation; autoimmune blood disease immune drug reactions.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Gastroenterology
Research Summary:
My clinical and research interests center on the diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases. I am interested in the symptomatology of patients with chronic liver disease, particularly with regard to fatigue and other somatic complaints and their relationship to depression. I have participated in phase three trials of novel agents for the treatments of viral hepatitis C.
In addition, I am currently collaborating with investigators at the Research Institute on Addictions here in Buffalo. Our interests involve the epidemiology of hepatitis C in previously understudied populations. We are also interested in risk factors associated with progression of hepatitis C in those populations.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism; Internal Medicine
Specialty/Research Focus:
Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine; Internal Medicine
Research Summary:
As a faculty member in the Department of Medicine, I am actively involved in teaching medical students, internal medicine residents and fellows in pulmonary/critical care medicine. My inpatient practice is primarily located at the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) at the Buffalo General Medical Center (BGMC). I also evaluate patients with pulmonary disorders in the Lung & Heart Center located in BGMC. My division also provides inpatient pulmonary consultation at both BGMC and Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
I am actively investigating the pathophysiology of lung inflammation utilizing systems biology techniques and immunological studies. This will allow the development of therapeutics aimed at novel targets and eventually progress research from the lab to the bedside.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine; Pain Management; Palliative Care
Research Summary:
Assistant Professor of Medicine
UB Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program Director
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine; Infectious Disease
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine
Research Summary:
I am the Senior Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs as well as Associate Professor in Clinical Medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. As the Senior Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs, I am responsible for all undergraduate medical school operations relating to students including admissions, multicultural affairs, student services, registrar services, student disciplinary matters and the Clinical Competency Center. I am also the program director for STEP (Science and Technology Entry Program) and director of the Post-Baccalaureate Program. The Medical STEP Program is designed to acquaint and academically prepare high school students for admission in one of many health-related professions (medicine, medical technology, nursing, dentistry, etc.). The Post-Baccalaureate program is intended to enhance the academic preparation of underrepresented students interested in applying to medical school. Prior to medicine, I trained as a pharmacist.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine
Specialty/Research Focus:
Infectious Disease
Research Summary:
Respiratory tract bacterial pathogens
Vaccine development
Bacterial infection in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Haemophilus influenzae
Moraxella catarrhalis
Research in my laboratory focuses on nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis, important pathogens in otitis media and lower respiratory tract infections in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A goal of work is to develop vaccine to prevent these infections. To that end, outer membrane proteins have been identified and are being evaluated as potential vaccine antigens.
A COPD Study Clinic supported by a grant from the Department of Veteran Affairs has been running continuously since 1994. This prospective study follows adults with COPD during monthly clinic visits during which sputum and serum samples are collected. Bacterial isolates are recovered from sputum and are subjected to molecular typing. These studies are elucidating the dynamics of respiratory tract bacterial colonization. In addition, serum and sputum samples are being studied to learn about systemic and mucosal immune responses to bacterial pathogens.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine; Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine; Nephrology
Specialty/Research Focus:
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Specialty/Research Focus:
Cardiology; Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology; Internal Medicine
Research Summary:
Dr. Ozcan is an academic cardiac electrophysiologist whose focus is patient care and cutting edge research in the area of atrial fibrillation and the role of cardiomyocyte energetics and metabolism in the mechanism of arrhythmia. Her specific research interests include the following.
a. Non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments for atrial
fibrillation.
b. Interrelation in supraventricular arrhythmias.
c. Mechanism of atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias.
d. Preventive strategies against oxidative and metabolic stress induced
arrhythmias.
e. Mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels and uncoupling
proteins.
Dr. Ozcan is a member of the American Heart Association Scientific Council, American College of Cardiology, Heart Rhythm Society and the American Medical Association.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Allergy and Immunology; Internal Medicine
Specialty/Research Focus:
Cardiology; Cardiovascular Disease; Genomics and proteomics; Regulation of metabolism
Research Summary:
Dr. Brian Page is a board certified non-invasive cardiologist with a clinical focus on cardiovascular imaging. Patient care responsibilities are provided in the Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) and on the consultative service at the Buffalo General Hospital. Outpatient cardiac care services are also provided at the UBMD ambulatory practice. Areas of imaging expertise include echocardiography (including transesophageal echocardiography) and nuclear imaging. Current research interests involve myocardial metabolism, energetics, and mitochondrial protein expression in relation to the adaptive response of the heart to chronic ischemia. Work at the Center for Research in Cardiovascular Medicine has focused on evaluation of protein expression using proteomic techniques and measurements of metabolic and enzyme activity in a porcine model of chronic hibernating myocardium. Future research interests include development of both pre-clinical and clinical uses for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Dr. Page is a member of the American College of Cardiology.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Nephrology
Research Summary:
As an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology, I am involved in all aspects of academic life from teaching medical students, residents, and fellows to being involved in clinical and basic science research.
My clinical practice of nephrology includes supervising nephrology fellows in the Renal Hypertension Clinic, Transplant Clinic, and attending the in-patient General Nephrology and Consult Services. I also have an active out-patient private service and care for patients with chronic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, hypertension, electrolyte abnormalities, anemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and end stage renal disease.
I am currently the Medical Director of our hospital based dialysis unit. In this administrative role I am responsible for the day to day clinical operations of the unit. As we are currently undergoing a major expansion of our infrastructure, for the past two years I have been actively involved in the many steps of designing and building new out and in-patient dialysis units.
The primary focus of my research is on understanding the pathophysiology and risk factors for the development of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis. In collaboration with Dr.Kenneth Gross at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and funding from the National Kidney Foundation (Western New York), we are in the development phases of an animal model for this disease. Our long term goal is to elucidate the cellular mechanisms and pathways that lead to fibrosis in renal failure. My clinical research has supported the role of transmetallation in the development of this disease and I am currently investigating various treatment outcomes for patients with NSF.
The Western New York area has a large patient population inflicted with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and to better serve our patients, our renal division is enrolled in the TEMPO Trial (Tolvaptan Efficacy and Safety in Management of Polycystic Kidney Disease and Its Outcomes). As a Sub-Investigator, I am responsible for the recruitment and medical management of patients while they are enrolled in the study. It is through this research endeavor that I want to achieve my goal of allowing patients to live better pain free lives through medical management and to avoid the need of cyst reduction surgery .
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine; Pulmonary Disease; Infectious Disease
Specialty/Research Focus:
Cardiology; Interventional Cardiology
Research Summary:
Dr. Paris is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine and serves as the Program Director for the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship at the University at Buffalo. Through his former practice as an interventional cardiologist, he is able to provide consultative services to patients regarding diagnostic tests and procedures for symptomatic cardiovascular disease (ischemic heart disease, valvular heart disease, pericardial disease, vascular disease, congenital heart disease, arrhythmias, etc.). He is involved in the teaching of medical students, residents and fellows. This also includes involvement in clinical research with the cardiovascular fellows. He is especially interested in electrocardiography and arrhythmias. Dr. Paris is a life member of the Association of Military Surgeons and is a member of the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine; Immunology; Membrane Transport (Ion Transport)
Research Summary:
I am a Research Assistant Professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine. I came to UB after completing my Categorical Internal Medicine Residency at George Washington University Hospital, and my Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship at Yale New Haven Hospital. My clinical practice includes Critical Care at the VA of Western New York and an outpatient Pulmonary Clinic at the UBMD Multispecialty Practice in Amherst, NY. Both sites are dedicated teaching sites for the residency and fellowship programs.
My research is focused on understanding the impaired host immune response to infection in COPD, specifically involving the alveolar macrophage. We have recently started working on mechanisms to improve the deficits in the innate immune response in patients with COPD, with a focus on cation channels.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Hematology; Internal Medicine; Oncology
Specialty/Research Focus:
Infectious Disease
Research Summary:
Extraintestinal isolates of Escherichia coli
Urinary tract infection, pulmonary infection, bacteremia
Microbial pathogenesis
Vaccine development
Acinetobacter baumannii
drug targets
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Dr. Russo’s first research focus involves certain strains of Escherichia coli that are capable of causing a variety of infections outside of the intestine in both humans and domestic animals. Billions of health care dollars, millions of work-days, and hundreds of thousands of lives are lost each year to extraintestinal infections due to E. coli. A vaccine is not presently available to prevent these infections and treatment is becoming more problematic with increasing antimicrobial resistance. Studies have focused on: 1) identification of new virulence determinants, 2) E. coli-host interactions, and 3) vaccine development. Dr. Russo is also collaborating with Dr. Knight from Anesthesiology on the effects of E. coli lung infection and acid-particulate aspiration on acute lung injury.
The second focus is on the bacterium Acinetobacter, which was best known for causing health-care associated infections until a recent series of infections reported in U.S. service members injured in Iraq/Afghanistan. Particularly disconcerting is the degree of antimicrobial resistance possessed by these strains of Acinetobacter; with some being resistant to all antimicrobials tested. Therefore studies have begun to fill that void by logically identifying novel antimicrobial targets. To accomplish this goal Dr. Russo has been collaborating with Drs. DeTitta, Umland and Schultz from the Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute. Targets are being identified using a genetic approach combined with in vitro and in vivo studies to prioritize target selection, followed by structural studies and in vitro fragment based lead screening. These studies are designed to develop new antibiotics active against Acinetobacter and other multi-drug resistant gram-negative bacilli. Dr. Russo is also collaborating with Dr. Campagnari from Microbiology on studies designed to understand biofilm formation in Acinetobacter, which in turn may lead to improved treatment or prevention of infection.
Most recently Dr. Russo has begun studying a new hypervirulent variant of Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKP). hvKP is characterized and distinguished from traditional infections due to “classical” K. pneumoniae (cKP) by: 1) presenting as community-acquired hepatic abscess, 2) affecting patients lacking a history of hepatobiliary disease, and 3) a propensity for causing metastatic spread to distant sites in 11-80% of cases (e.g. eyes, central nervous system (CNS), & others). Metastatic spread is common for certain gram-positive pathogens such as Staph and Strep, but is uncommon enteric GNB (e.g. E. coli and cKP). The basis for this change is poorly understood. One of the goals of this proposal is to fill that knowledge gap by identifying novel or unrecognized pathogenic traits of hvKP that contribute to its hypervirulence. Compounding an already difficult situation, some cases of infection due to hvKP have been caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains and as expected, outcome is worse with MDR strains or inappropriate treatment. Unfortunately there are virtually no new antimicrobial agents active against MDR-GNB in the pharmaceutical “pipeline”. The confluence of hypervirulence and MDR in hvKP has the potential to create a “post-antibiotic” scenario; similar to what was feared with methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) but was never realized. Therefore, the second goal of this project is to fill that void by identifying antimicrobial targets in hvKP. These data will be important and unique, and will lay the foundation for understanding the biology of this new clinical variant and for the future of in vitro lead drug screening and structural based development.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Specialty/Research Focus:
Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine
Research Summary:
Dr. Saltzman has had a long career at the School of Medicine. He has been active in research involving pulmonary mechanics and gas exchange, teaching of students, residents and fellows, patient care in the pulmonary and critical care areas, and administration. He stepped down in September 2010 after 6 1/2 years as Chair, Department of Medicine. His current activity focuses on teaching medical students during their pre-clinical years.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Allergy and Immunology
Research Summary:
I am trained in Adult Pulmonary/Critical Care, as well as Allergy/Immunology. My clinical interests include Asthma, and Urticaria/Angioedema. My principal practice site is the Veterans Administration Healthcare System of Western NY as well as Buffalo General Hospital for in-patient consultation. My research interests focus primarily on asthma, lung matrix biology, particularly matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine
Research Summary:
I see patients two days a week at my primary office site, Hertel-Elmwood Internal Medicine. My philosophy of medical care is to work with each individual patient and come to the best plan of action for the issues facing that patient. I believe in a cooperative model of care that incorporates my experience and judgment along with the patient‘s values and preferences. Education is a significant part of my work and I believe that my role as a physician is not only to diagnose and treat, but to educate patients. Since information and education is often not the only thing patients need, I practice and believe in techniques that can improve motivation for healthy choices. I consider my experience in motivational interviewing to be an important component of my clinical expertise.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Allergy and Immunology; Immunology; Proteins and metalloenzymes; RNA
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine; Immunology; Infectious Disease; Microbial Pathogenesis
Research Summary:
Areas of clinical and research interests
·NADPH oxidase as a critical regulator of host defense and inflammation
·Pathogenesis of invasive aspergillosis
·Role of innate immune responses in tumor immunology
The major interest of our lab is to study NADPH oxidase as a critical regulator of inflammation and host defense. NADPH oxidase is an emergency host defense pathway that is rapidly activated in response to certain microbial products, and converts molecular oxygen to superoxide anion and downstream reactive oxidant intermediates (ROIs). Chronic granulomatous disease is an inherited disorder of the NADPH oxidase characterized by severe bacterial and fungal infections (e.g., invasive aspergillosis) and by excessive inflammation. In addition to its critical host defense role, our lab, in collaboration with colleagues, found that NADPH oxidase also functions to restrain inflammation by modulating redox-sensitive innate immune pathways. NADPH oxidase also affects T-cell responses, including the balance between Tn17 and regulatory T-cells. We have an NIH grant to further elucidate mechanisms by which NADPH oxidase regulates inflammation.
We believe that our work has broad relevance to human diseases associated with inflammation, such as inflammation-induced injury and tumor immunology. Indeed, several of the pathways that NADPH oxidase regulates are important in tumorigenesis and the tumor microenvironment (e.g., NF-kB, Nrf2, IL-17, Tregs), and are potential therapeutic targets. In collaboration with colleagues, we are examining how NADPH oxidase influences tumor immunity.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Infectious Disease
Research Summary:
Nosocomial infections remain one of the most costly and tragic consequences of medical care in the United States. Efforts to treat these infections have yielded less than ideal results and have spawned multiply drug resistant organisms (MDROs) and other opportunists. The increasing numbers of immunocompromised hosts has magnified this problem, so prevention has become paramount. Our efforts have been based on the epidemiologic paradigm of hypothesis development, data collection and critical interpretation of the data. This has been done in the traditional pursuits of infection control, surveillance and prevention, but the importance of antimicrobial stewardship has become critical in an era of declining antimicrobial agent development. Similarly, the complexity of medical care has generated problems of self-protection for healthcare workers. The use of the epidemiologic paradigm has allowed for thoughtful evaluation of programs rather than emotional responses which may be counterproductive. There is little doubt that these areas of endeavor will continue to demand our attention.
University student health has become increasingly important with larger numbers of students traveling for school and pleasure to countries with communicable disease risks. Likewise, growing numbers of students with evidence of latent tuberculous infection and chronic hepatitis B infection has prompted development of services for treatment.
In light of recent events, planning for pandemic influenza, other emerging infections and bioterrorism events continues to be a priority for planning at the local, hospital and university levels.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine; Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine; Immunology; Microbial Pathogenesis
Research Summary:
Sanjay Sethi, MD, FACP, is a Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Buffalo at the State University of New York (SUNY) where he also completed a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine. He is the Chief of the Division of Pulmonary/Critical Care/Sleep Medicine at the University at Buffalo and the Section Chief for Pulmonary/Critical Care/Sleep Medicine at the Western New York Veterans Administration HealthCare System in Buffalo. Dr Sethi completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois and is board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary disease, and critical care medicine.
Dr Sethi’s main research interests include respiratory infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, focused on the specific areas of bacterial infection in COPD, epidemiology and clinical implications of antimicrobial resistance and innate lung defense in COPD.
Dr Sethi’s has co-authored more than a 100 research articles and reviews in many peer-reviewed medical journals including New England Journal of Medicine, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Chest, COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Infection and Immunity, Journal of Infectious Diseases, and Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. He is a member of the editorial board for the publications Advances in Therapy, Clinical Investigation, Respiratory Research and Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews. Dr Sethi is a reviewer for several medical journals, including the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, Chest, European Respiratory Journal, Infection and Immunity, JAMA, Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine, and Thorax.
Dr. Sethi is currently active in several professional organizations including the American Thoracic Society and American College of Physicians. He has served as a consultant on the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines for COPD, and as a member of the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense COPD Guideline Development Committee. Additionally, he is a distinguished speaker presenting papers both nationally and internationally, many with COPD as the primary focus.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Research Summary:
Dr. Stephen W. Spaulding‘s research interests include thyroidal regulation of metabolism; and hormonal regulation of nuclear protein phosphorylation, chromatin/DNA stucture and RNA binding proteins.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Infectious Disease
Research Summary:
Clinical studies of HIV infection
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine - Pediatrics
Specialty/Research Focus:
Cardiovascular Disease; Internal Medicine
Research Summary:
Dr. Suzuki‘s research is focused on therapeutic approaches to effect cardiac regeneration in chronic ischemic heart disease. We employ a preclinical model of hibernating myocardium with chronic LAD occlusion and collateral-dependent myocardium, LV dysfunction and critically impaired coronary flow reserve. Physiological studies are routinely performed with quantitative analysis of myocardial morphometry and immunohistochemistry to identify cell fate including cardiomyocyte regeneration. Completed work demonstrates remarkable myocyte plasticity in the adult porcine heart. Intracoronary adenoviral gene transfer with fibroblast growth factor (FGF-5), the HMG-CoA inhibitor pravastatin, and intracoronary mesenchymal stem cells all stimulate the proliferation of endogenous cardiac myocytes without affecting coronary blood flow reserve in chronic hibernating myocardium. Importantly, both pravastatin and intracoronary mesenchymal stem cells effect myocyte proliferation by increasing resident myocardial cKit positive stem cells as well as by mobilizing CD133 positive bone marrow derived progenitor cells.
Current work is focused on understanding the regenerative capability of porcine cardiosphere-derived cells (or cardiac stem cells) given via intracoronary infusion in hibernating myocardium. The demonstrated success of these intracoronary stem cell approaches to effect cardiac repair in a relevant preclinical model can be translated to the care of many patients with chronic ischemic heart disease.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine; Sleep Medicine
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine; Internal Medicine - General
Research Summary:
I am a native of Southeastern Connecticut. I completed medical school at Cornell University Medical College and residency training in Primary Care Internal Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. I served as Chief Resident for the Primary Care Residency before beginning my career at the University of Pennsylvania. I was part of the teaching faculty for eight years and developed an interest in how the systems of medical care delivery can be improved to provide higher quality care to patients. I joined the teaching faculty at the University at Buffalo in 2010. In addition to teaching residents, I serve on the Physician Advisory Group for the implementation of an electronic medical record throughout UBMD and as the physician champion within my practice for implementation of the Patient Centered Medical Home model. I also serve on the Board of Management for the Northeast YMCA.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Nephrology
Research Summary:
The physiology of pregnancy in experimental animals has been pursued by this investigator for approximately 20 years, with special emphasis on the mechanisms controlling blood pressure and renal function during pregnancy. This research has employed a variety of analytic techniques such as radioimmunoassays for prostanoids, renin and various biochemical assays to assess renal function, etc. In addition, physiology studies have been employed, electromagnetic flowprobes, ultrasonic transit time flowprobes, and other invasive techniques to chronically monitor animals to measure cardiac output, regional blood flow, including microspheres and thermodilution technique.
Other studies which have been undertaken include other animals (including dogs and rats) evaluating renal function and nephropathy and the mechanism of actions of various drugs, including diuretics and non steroidal antiinflammatory agents.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Cardiology; Geriatric Medicine; Internal Medicine
Research Summary:
My family has called Buffalo home since 1999. I joined the UBMD Division of Cardiology with a special interest in non-invasive imaging, heart failure and cardiac care of the elderly.
I came to Western New York for my Internal Medicine residency. After my training I joined the Department of Medicine as faculty. Over the next several years, I worked at both Buffalo General and Millard Fillmore Hospitals on the busy medicine and geriatrics services. Taking care of our elderly I realized that complex medical conditions and treatments pose the special challenges that require expertise and experience. My earlier training in the specialty of geriatrics at the Royal College of Physicians of United Kingdom, proved to be valuable.
In 2008, I started further training in cardiology with a special interest in heart failure, cardiac device management, imaging, and clinical and geriatric cardiology. Now as a faculty in the division of Cardiology at University of Buffalo, I practice at the Buffalo General Hospital Medical Center and the Global Vascular institute. I take care of patients in the Coronary Care Unit and consult on patients admitted to medical and surgical services. I am involved with noninvasive imaging, including echocardiography, nuclear cardiology and stress testing. As an Assistant Professor at the University of Buffalo I am involved in teaching and training future doctors and specialists.
I am board certified in Adult Cardiology, Internal Medicine, Echocardiography, Nuclear Cardiology and Cardiac Device Management (IBHRE). I am a member of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP).
As a result of my interest, experience and training in cardiology and geriatrics I would like to develop a unique program to serve the cardiovascular health care needs of the ever-growing population of seniors in Western New York.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Hematology; Internal Medicine; Oncology
Research Summary:
I received my PhD in Philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin in August 1979 and have been a faculty member at the University at Buffalo (UB) since that time. An Associate Professor in UB‘s Department of Medicine, I also hold adjunct appointments in UB‘s Department of Gynecology-Obstetrics and the Department of Philosophy. I am the Co-Director of the Center for Clinical Ethics and Humanities in Health Care at UB and the INtegrated Ethics Program Officer for the VA Western New York Health Care System. I have been a visiting scholar at the Hastings Center, a research associate at the Kennedy Institute, Center for Bioethics of Georgetown University, and a Fellow at the Institute for the Medical Humanities, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Hematology; Oncology; Internal Medicine - General
Research Summary:
-Translational research focuses on three areas: the role of the BCR gene involved in chronic and acute leuke-mias, the involvement of cytokines and their signal transduction in leukemogenesis, and the development of immunotherapy for leukemia.
The BCR gene plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of leukemias bearing the Philadelphia chromosome. Recently, we have shown that the Bcr protein, while residing mainly in the cytoplasm in quiescent cells, is associated with the chromosomes in mitotic cells. We hypothesize that Bcr has a role in both normal and leuke-mic cell division, and will investigate this hypothesis. Among other things, this might explain events occurring during Bcr-Abl-associated transformation, and differences between the distinct phenotypes in Bcr-Abl-associated leukemias.
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clonal disease often characterized by acquired somatic mutations. All chromosomal abnormalities in AML result in an arrest of maturation and accumulation of undifferentiated cells. We believe that molecular changes, produced by mechanisms unrelated to chromosomal aberrations, may be assisting in leukemogenesis. We ask whether truncated signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins contribute to leukemogenesis. We have shown that most AML blasts express truncated STAT isoforms (STATb) more commonly than the full-length forms (i.e., STATa). These STATb forms, which lack a C-terminal transactivation domain, have been shown to exert a negative effect on cellular differentiation and hence on apoptosis. We have shown that samples from 21 of 27 AML patients express STAT3b and STAT5b. We also have shown that these forms are generated by a serine-dependent protease. We propose that b isoforms of STAT3 and STAT5 negate the action of the a isoforms and that their
expression serves to prevent induction of cytokine-responsive genes, as well as induce or amplify survival signals. We will characterize the serine protease responsible for generating the STATb forms in AML blasts, and study its regulation. Based on this information, it may be possible to tailor treatment of AML with different phenotypes.
To date, it is not known whether leukemia patients who are in long-term remission are capable of mounting a specific immune response to their disease. Such a mechanism has been described in animal models of leukemia but in the human system it was described only in malignant melanoma. In this study, the focus will be on T lymphocytes and antibodies that possess specificity for potential leukemic antigens. Individuals who have had leukemia in recent years and are now clinically-free of disease will be tested. T cells obtained by leukapheresis and serum will be tested against autologous leu-kemic blasts stored at the time of diagnosis. Then, T cell lines will be established that will be used to characterize the specific antigen(s) that caused their development.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Cardiology; Interventional Cardiology
Research Summary:
Dr. Young is a board certified cardiologist with an added qualification in interventional cardiology. He currently serves as Chief of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at the Buffalo VA Medical Center. Areas of interest include general clinical cardiology, acute coronary syndromes and percutaneous coronary revascularization. Dr. Young is a Fellow in the American College of Cardiology and Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention.
Specialty/Research Focus:
Internal Medicine - Pediatrics
Research Summary:
I am a full-time faculty member of the Division of Internal Medicine - Pediatrics engaged in clinical practice and instruction in ambulatory and inpatient settings. My clinic caters to a large developmentally disabled population. I have served as the Quality Improvement Officer within our Academic Division, and organized a web-based residency curriculum for our training program in the past. I enjoy teaching, time with family, Tae Kwon Do, cycling, skiing, and other outdoor activities. Personal accomplishments outside of the medical arena include completing a full marathon in 2010 and cycling several single day 100 and 200 mile routes.
