Catalyst Newsletter, February 2014
IN THIS ISSUE
IN THE NEWS

MasseyMassey Family Gift: New Era of TBI Research at U-M 

A generous gift from the Joyce and Don Massey Family Foundation will enable U-M researchers to find new ways of diagnosing and treating traumatic brain injury (TBI).

 

The Massey family, having experienced the devastating effects of TBI first-hand, hope that their gift will ensure that other families are spared from what they endured.

 

Robert Neumar, MD, PhD, chair of the U-M Medical School's Department of Emergency Medicine and William Barsan, MD, worked with the Massey family to develop the Joyce Massey TBI Program. It includes funds for clinical research, technology innovation, translational research, a patient/family support fund, and an annual TBI summit that brings together key researchers.

 

The Joyce Massey TBI Program includes:

  • Massey EC3 Clinical Research Program: an ICU-level clinical practice for evaluating and implementing new diagnostic tools, monitoring techniques and therapeutic treatments.
  • Massey TBI Technology Innovation Fund: to accelerate innovative research to produce technologies that will revolutionize the treatment of TBI during the "golden hours." 
  • Massey TBI Translational Research Program: to create and test interventional treatments that can have real-world impact.
  • Massey TBI Patient & Family Support Fund: to assist patients treated in the EC3 and their families with the financial burden of TBI treatment and care.
  • Annual Massey TBI Summit: to bring together key researchers from across the country working on cutting-edge TBI research. The inaugural summit will be held September 25th in Ann Arbor
Click to learn more about the work being aided by the Massey Family gift.
As part of the Joyce Massey TBI Program, several TBI research proposals were chosen by the Oversight Committee for immediate, one-year funding:

 

Translational Science Projects

  • Early administration of plasma and valproic acid (a brain protecting drug) to decrease the degree of brain injury and improve the speed of recovery - Hasan Alam
  • Use of a cancer medication, Imatinib, also known as Gleevec, to protect the injured brain cells - Daniel Lawrence, Enming Su
  • Treatment with an iron binding agent, deferoxamine, to reduce brain injury after traumatic brain hemorrhage - Guohua Xi, Ya Hua, Richard Keep, Hao Zhao
  • Administration of branch chain amino acids and memantine to attenuate the traumatic brain damage - Leslie Satin

 Technology Development Projects

To learn more about the Masseys' gift and the Emergency Critical Care Center (EC3) click here.

HFMAMCIRCC Executive Director Featured in HFMA Leadership Publication
How are healthcare organizations using big-data analytics to improve patient care? That's a topic the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) discusses in their Winter 2015 Leadership magazine in the article aptly titled "Transforming Care with Big Data."

MCIRCC is one of the featured case studies in this article that discusses how "clinicians, data analysts, engineers, and others are exploring how to extract meaningful information out of big data to deliver higher-quality, more coordinated care. From high-tech collaborations to homegrown approaches, these initiatives aim to address real-world challenges and transform care."

Kevin Ward, MD talks about MCIRCC's integrative team approach to developing clinical decision-support tools and the importance of leveraging the expertise of digital health partners. 

HFMA is the nation's premier membership organization for healthcare finance leaders with more than 40,000 members and their Leadership publication reaches 75,000 healthcare leaders.

Click here to read the full article and to learn more about HFMA.
MTRACMCIRCC Members Among Finalists to Receive 2015 MTRAC Funding
In early January, the U-M Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization for Life Sciences Program (MTRAC) held its Oversight Committee meeting where 16 finalists presented their proof-of-concept projects. The Oversight Committee, comprised of global biotech business experts and U-M leaders in translational science and tech transfer, selected 11 projects for funding including two from MCIRCC members:
For a complete list of all 2015 MTRAC awardees, click here.

MTRAC provides mid-stage, translational research funding and resources to identify, nurture, and "fast forward" projects with a high potential for commercial success. This is MTRAC's second year running its successful funding program, which saw 29 high-quality proposals submitted for consideration. To find out more about MTRAC, click here.
EVENTS

PDUWorkshop2Team Science in Action at MCIRCC's PDU Funding Workshop

On Friday, January 23, members attended MCIRCC's federal research funding kickoff event--Meet me at the Intersection: High-Value Multidisciplinary Research Opportunities to Transform Critical Care. Participants learned about MCIRCC's team science vision, three specific large-scale funding targets for 2015, the new Proposal Development Unit's (PDU) services and capabilities, and the soon-to-launch Virtual Institute.

 

MCIRCC's PDU manager, Jaine Place, presented the Center's approach to team science and provided insight into MCIRCC's strategy for large-scale, team-driven research funding that addresses complex critical care problems. Three federal funding targets for 2015 were discussed in detail:

MCIRCC's directors, Kevin Ward, MD, and Shuichi Takayama, PhD, led discussions on potential proposal themes for these targets. Dr. Ward noted MCIRCC's ability to draw on U-M's clinical and engineering expertise, as well as other competitive resources to win high-value proposals.

 

Citing examples, he explained that U-M has one of the largest microfluidic platforms in the country, an excellent Center for Systems Biology, one of three NIH-funded centers researching metabolites to detect small changes in cell behavior and organ function (Michigan Regional Comprehensive Metabolomics Resource Core), and an institute focusing on data science (Michigan Institute for Data Science), among others.

 

Jaine Place announced the launch of the PDU, which takes a strategic, proactive, catalytic, and capacity-building approach to help members plan and execute winning proposals. The PDU offers consultation, coaching and intensive proposal development assistance to multidisciplinary research teams addressing issues related to critical care in excess of $2 million. The PDU also assists members with setting up personalized funding alerts.

 

The workshop also featured a demonstration of the soon-to-launch Virtual Institute--a web-based collaboration tool available exclusively to MCIRCC members to help facilitate team collaboration and knowledge sharing. The Virtual Institute will house information about the PDU and its services, and include other robust features to further team science initiatives.

 

The afternoon concluded with a networking reception where participants explored new ideas with fellow members from departments and colleges across the University.

 

To see the workshop summary report and action items, as well as links to all presentation and handout materials, click here.

NIHseminarNIH Regional Seminar on Program Funding
The 2015 Regional Seminar on Program Funding and Grants Administration will be held from May 6-8 in Baltimore, MD, and is highly recommended for all early career researchers.

A new program track this year for New Investigators has been redesigned to provide
step-by-step guidance on mapping your career and understanding the review and funding process. In addition to the breakout sessions, there will be many opportunities to chat 1:1 with NIH professionals and colleagues from other institutions. 

The seminar is designed to help demystify the application and review process, saving much time in the future as you navigate the complex web of NIH funding programs, seek to serve on review panels, and want to run new ideas by NIH program officers for feedback.

This semi-annual conference is an excellent opportunity to meet with NIH and HHS policy officials, as well as NIH grants management, and program and review officials representing numerous NIH institutes and centers.

Click here for more information and to register for the seminar.
MEMBER PERKS

VIVirtual Institute Coming Soon: VIP Access to all Things MCIRCC

You may have heard about it in passing. Or witnessed a mini demo during the PDU workshop back in January. Well, get ready because MCIRCC's Virtual Institute is nearing launch status.


What is it? The Virtual Institute is a web-based tool designed to provide MCIRCC members constant access to information, resources, feedback, and networks relevant to the critical care ecosystem and multidisciplinary collaboration. Think of it as a critical care intranet tailor made for MCIRCC members.


The goal? To accelerate the formation of an interconnected critical care research community by closing the divides in geography, varying priorities, and conflicting schedules across U-M schools, colleges, departments and units.


Want more? Keep an eye out! Detailed information regarding access instructions and login credentials will be coming in the next month. In the meantime, contact [email protected] to confirm your membership application is up to date.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

SurveySurvey: Making it Easier to Find Research Funding

The U-M Medical School Office of Research is conducting a comprehensive survey to assess the actions individuals take when seeking out research funding opportunities.


The time you spend completing this brief survey will help us bring you the information you need to find future funding success.


Plus, every person who submits a completed survey will automatically be entered in a prize drawing to win a $50 Amazon.com gift card!

 

We appreciate you taking the time to provide us with valuable feedback.

InternalInternal: Funding Opportunities for Translational Research

MICHR Pilot Grant Program for Early Career Investigators

Deadline: Friday, March 13, 2015, 5:00 pm

 

The Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR) seeks proposals from basic, clinical, and social scientists for bench-to-bedside and bedside-to-practice translational research. Pilot grant funding ranges from $20,000 to $50,000 for one year, and encourages matching dollars from the investigator's department or college.

 

For more information click here.

 

Application guidelines are available here.


Coulter Translational Research Partnership Grants for Full-time Faculty

Deadline: March 2, 2015

The U-M Coulter Program seeks proposals from full-time faculty in the professional ranks for collaborative translational research projects that involve co-investigators from any engineering department and a clinical department. The goal of this program is to address unmet clinical needs and lead to improvements in health care and to commercial products. Grant budgets are typically $100,000 (direct costs) for a one-year period, although larger requests are considered.

For more information click here.

We strongly suggest that applicants contact Coulter Program Director Thomas Marten at [email protected] or 734-647-1680 before submission. 

 

BRMC Bridging Support Program for Biomedical Research

Deadlines: 15th of Feb, Apr, June, Aug, Oct, and Dec.

The UMMS Office of Research provides bridging support to continue federally funded biomedical research programs that demonstrate a likelihood of successfully competing for federal funding. Applications must demonstrate continuity with current research efforts in the PI's laboratory and must contain efforts to address current NIH grant critiques or other sponsor's (e.g., NSF, VA Merit) written comments. Priority focuses on financial need to maintain a defined research project and retain key research personnel. All full-time, on-campus instructional, clinical, and research track faculty with primary appointments in the Medical School are eligible to apply.
 

For more information click here.

ExternalExternal: Funding Opportunity for Members Working with Small Business Partners

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR): Pediatric Trauma and Critical Illness

Deadlines for Phase I Proposals: April 6 and August 6, 2015

The Eunice K. Schriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) seeks SBIR proposals for research training in pediatric trauma and critical illness. Applications of particular interest: 1) R&D on pediatric-specific technologies and equipment used by emergency and trauma care personnel; 2) development of tools and technologies for efficient screening and determination of the nature of injury; 3) R&D of devices and innovative therapeutic technologies for management of physical disabilities and related problems stemming from and acute injuries; and 4) development of preventive intervention tools, materials, and technologies designed to improve clinical practice.

For more information click here.

For proposal development assistance, visit the BBC Michigan Assistance Program site.
Follow us on LinkedIn!

MCIRCC Events

Thursday, March 12

Innovation Underground: Operation TBI

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

MCIRCC Ideation Lab

NCRC Bldg 10, Room A112

 

Join us as we raise a glass, chat, share ideas and lay the groundwork for MCIRCC's upcoming initiatives focused on traumatic brain injury (TBI).

 

This casual networking event is a time to mix and mingle with leading scientists, entrepreneurs, industry partners, peers and colleagues. Think of it as a scientific idea exchange to help expand your resources and contacts.

 

Click here to RSVP

 

SAVE THE DATE

Critical Care Grand Challenge: TBI

Friday, October 2 & Saturday, October 3 

 

Join us for MCIRCC's second Critical Care Grand Challenge where we will seek to use "integrated science teams" to develop and deliver technological solutions to impact traumatic brain injury (TBI) during the "golden hours." Once again, the Grand Challenge targets big problems in critical care and will reward big, bold solutions built by teams urgently working together to get these TBI solutions into the critical care ecosystem.

 

Details coming soon!

U-M Training & Events
Mondays
BioSocial Methods Seminar Series
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Room 1430, Institute for Social Research, 426 Thompson St

A series of seminars presented by scholars connecting the bio/social sciences through innovative methodologies.

Click here to download the Seminar Series Flier.

February 24

Your Data In Motion -- Turning Your Data Into Information

9:00 am - 10:30 am

Rm 1122, NCRC 520
 

This presentation is designed to help everyone-from the most non-technical users to sophisticated report writers-gain a better understanding of how to read data visualizations effectively and how to use them to help see the stories in their data. Presenters will share some data visualization history, principles, and best practices and will showcase visual metric work being done in the Office of University Development using the university's new data visualization tool, Tableau. 

 

February 26
7:00 am - 4:30 pm
Somerset Inn Conference Center, 2601 W Big Beaver Road, Troy

MCIRCC members Drs. Kevin Ward, Kyle Gunnerson and Ronny Otero are amongst those that will present at this one-day conference designed to provide high-level information concerning the management of critcally ill patients.

Click here for more information and to register.

February 26
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Free webinar

Does your health IT application need FDA clearance? Confused about oversight, regulatory pathways, and other pre-market considerations? Donna-Bea Tillman, a senior consultant at Biologics Consulting Group, Inc, has the answer to these questions and more.


Register here for this free event.

May 29

Early Tech Development Course

12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

G063/G064, Building 10, NCRC

 

Early Tech Development (ETD) is a 4-week course designed to equip biomedical faculty and researchers at U-M with the knowledge and tools to navigate the initial process of innovation and commercialization.


Register here for this free event.

Click image for more information.

PDU Workshop Materials

Summary report from MCIRCC's January 23 federal funding workshop that includes workshop notes and action items, as well as links to all presentation slides and handout materials.




New MCIRCC Sepsis Brochure

A comprehensive tool to narrate the complex and life-threatening sepsis story and how our Grand Challenge portfolio seeks to transform the way we diagnose, treat and monitor sepsis to improve patient care and outcomes, enhance the clinician experience and reduce healthcare costs.



Don't forget your MCIRCC affiliation!

If you are speaking with the media about your work in critical care research or are working with the U-M News Service or U-M Health System Public Relations on a health care related press release, article, or other news item, please mention your MCIRCC affiliation!


The 
U-M Center for Integrative Research in Critical Care (MCIRCC) is one of the world's first comprehensive research enterprises devoted to transforming critical care medicine by accelerating science and moving it from bench to bedside. To do this, MCIRCC brings together integrative teams comprised of world-class U-M scientists, clinicians, and engineers with industry partners and funding sources to develop and deploy cutting-edge solutions that elevate the care, outcomes, and quality of life of critically ill and injured patients and their families.