Kenneth S. Hunter, ScD, Chair, UNSOM [more...]
The primary emphasis of the Hunter laboratory is the study of T lymphocyte anergy and tolerance in the context of cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmune diseases. They are interested in the phenomenon of co-stimulation in T lymphocyte activation, and particularly the immunoregulatory role of the B7:CD28 bimolecular interaction. Funded projects in this area include studies on the modulation of B7 gene expression in macrophages induced by β-1,3 glucans from microbial cell walls, tolerance induction of autoimmune T lymphocytes in collagen-induced arthritis and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in mice, and co-stimulation and anergy in a mouse tumor model.
Their laboratory is also working with an interdisciplinary team of chemists and biomedical engineers to develop new biosensor technologies for medical diagnosis and new gene microarray technologies for genomics research.
Nam Hoang Dang, M.D., Ph.D, Deputy Chief, University of Florida
Division of Hematology & Oncology and Director, University of Florida
Shands Cancer Center Clinical Trials Office [more...]
Nam H. Dang, MD, PhD is a board certified medical oncologist with expertise in the study and treatment of lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Dr Dang's primary research effort emphasizes the development of novel treatment strategies for patients with lymphoma/CLL through the identification of new targets and the utilization of novel targeted therapies. To achieve this aim, he has conducted multiple clinical trials and is active in laboratory research with the goal of translating laboratory findings to the clinical setting for the ultimate benefit of the patient.
Dr. Dang went to Harvard University and Harvard Medical School, where he graduated with top honors, earning his B.A. (magna cum laude), M.D. (magna cum laude), and Ph.D. degrees.
He continued his medical education in the Harvard system with residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital, and fellowship training at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, becoming board-certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. Among the several prestigious awards and honors he has garnered include the National Arthritis Foundation Medical Student Award, the Friends Fellowship of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the V Foundation Scholar Award, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for Physicians, and the MD Anderson Cancer Center Physician-Scientist Award.
Petar Lenert, MD, MSc, PhD, University of Iowa [more...]
Dr. Lenert is currently an Assistant Professor of Rheumatology at the University of Iowa in the Department of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Lenert attended medical school and did his residency and fellowship at the University of Novi Sad in Yugoslavia. He also attended graduate school in Belgrade, Yugoslavia and received post graduate training at the University of California, San Diego, University of Montreal, Quebec and the University of Iowa.
Dr. Lenert is interested in the study of the mechanisms of CpG-induced receptor binding and downstream signal transduction evens in human and mouse B cells. His clinical interest is in the area of systemic autoimmune diseases.
Greg Pari, Ph.D., Chair University of Nevada School of Medicine Microbiology and Immunology [more...]
Gregory Pari, Ph.D., has been named chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. He assumed his new role on July 1, 2011.
Previous to being named chair, Pari was a professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the medical school. He received his doctorate degree in cell and molecular biology from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1990. Before coming to UNR, Pari was director of virology at Hybridon, Inc. (now Idera Pharmaceuticals) and engaged in drug discovery research.
"Greg has gained the respect and trust of his faculty and he possesses the scientific standing to lead the group," said Ole J. Thienhaus, M.D., MBA, dean of the School of Medicine. "One of the tasks ahead for Greg will be to establish the optimal future configuration of his department. This task is integrated with larger strategic planning efforts for our curricular reform and restructuring of our basic science departments. I have complete confidence that Greg can move this process forward."
Pari's main research focus for the past 20 years involved the molecular mechanisms of DNA replication of herpesviruses. His laboratory is currently working with two herpesviruses: human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus/human herpesvirus 8 (KSHV/HHV8). He has authored more than 35 scientific articles on the subject of herpesvirus DNA replication and is currently funded by two National Institutes of Health grants.
