Alumni of the BIRCWH Program
Dr. Navkiran Shokar
1989 M.A. University of Cambridge, England
1992 (M.D.)University of Oxford, England
1996 Residency family medicine England
1996—1999 Residency family practice St. Joseph Hospital, Houston
2003 M.P.H. The University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston.
BIRCHW Scholar: 2/1/2006 - 7/30/2006, Colorectal cancer prevention, UTMB.
While completing her masters in public health, Dr.Shokar became interested in
gender and racial/ethnic health disparities in cancer treatment, and this led to
her investigation of gender and racial/ethnic differences in the rates of colon
cancer screening.
As Texas minority communities grow, it will be more and more important for healthcare providers to be aware of patient preferences when suggesting colorectal screening options. Dr. Shokar intends to use her findings to design clinic and community interventions better tailored to individual minorities and women.
Selected Publications:
Nguyen-Oghalai TU, Kuo YF, Wu H, Shokar NK, et al. The impact of race/ethnicity on preoperative time to hip stabilization procedure after hip fracture.Southern Medical Journal. 2010; 103(5): 414-418.
Wu ZH, Temple JR, Shokar NK, Nguyen-Oghalai TU, Grady JJ. Differential racial/ethnic patterns in substance use initiation among young, low-income women. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2010; 36(2): 123-9.
Shokar NK, Carlson CA, Weller SC. Informed decision making changes test preferences for colorectal cancer screening in a diverse population. Annals of Family Medicine. 2010; 8: 141-150.
Chavez PC, Shokar NK. Diagnosis and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a primary care clinic. COPD. 2009; 6(6): 446-51.
Shokar NK, Nguyen-Oghalai T, Wu H. Factors associated with a physician's recommendation for colorectal cancer screening in a diverse population. Fam Med. 2009; 41(6): 427-33.
Abotchie PN, Shokar NK. Cervical cancer screening among college students in ghana: knowledge and health beliefs. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2009; 19(3): 412-6.
Shokar NK, Carlson CA, Weller SC. Factors associated with racial/ethnic differences in colorectal cancer screening. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. 2008; 21(5): 414-426.
Dr. Tracy Nguyen-Oghalai
1991 M.D. UTMB
1993 Residency The University of Tennessee at Memphis
2001 Fellowships Allergy/Immunology and Rheumatology,
Baylor College of Medicine
2003 Clinical Fellowship Rheumatology,
The University of California at
San Francisco
Board Certified Internal Medicine, Rheumatology and Allergy/Immunology.
BIRCHW Scholar: 2/1/2006 - 7/31/2008, Impact of rheumatic diseases, UTMB.
Tracy's research interests include the impact of rheumatic diseases on functional recovery among hospitalized patients, the impact of gender on functional recovery after acute illnesses, and the impact of other rheumatic diseases as comorbidities.
Selected Publications:
Nguyen-Oghalai TU, Kuo YF, Wu H, Shokar NK, et al. The impact of race/ethnicity on preoperative time to hip stabilization procedure after hip fracture.Southern Medical Journal. 2010; 103(5): 414-418.
Wu ZH, Temple JR, Shokar NK, Nguyen-Oghalai TU, Grady JJ. Differential racial/ethnic patterns in substance use initation among young, low-income women. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2010; 36(2):123-9.
Shokar NK, Nguyen-Oghalai T, Wu H. Factors associated with a physician's recommendation for colorectal cancer screening in a diverse population. Fam Med. 2009; 41(6): 427-33.
Nguyen-Oghalai TU, Ottenbacher KJ, Kuo YF, Wu H, Grecula M, Eschbach K, Goodwin JS.Disparities in utilization of outpatient rehabilitative care following hip fracture hospitalization with respect to race and ethnicity. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009; 90(4):560-3.
Nguyen-Oghalai TU, Wu H, McNearney TA, Granger CV, Ottenbacher KJ. Functional outcome after stroke in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum. 2008; 59(7):984-8.
Dr. Venkataraman Sriraman
1992 B.S. Medical Laboratory Technology, Pondicherry, India
1996 M.S. Medical Biochemistry, Pondicherry, India
2001 Ph.D. Medical Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
2001-06 Postdoctoral Fellowship Molecular Cellular Biology, Baylor College
of Medicine
BIRCHW Scholar: 7/1/2006 - 3/1/2008, Progesterone receptor function in ovarian angiogenesis, UTMB.
Venkataraman’s research focuses on ovulation, a complex process critical to successful mammalian reproduction. Understanding the mechanisms of ovulation is of great importance to the future understanding of ovarian physiology, pathology, and treatment of infertility problems.
Selected Publications:
Schaefer JS, Sabherwal Y, Shi HY, Sriraman V, Richards J, Minella A, Turner DP, Watson DK, Zhang M. Transcriptional regulation of p21/CIP1 cell cycle inhibitor by PDEF controls cell proliferation and mammary tumor progression. J Biol Chem. 2010; 285(15): 11258-69.
Sriraman V, Sinha M, Richards JS. Progesterone receptor-induced gene expression in primary mouse granulosa cell cultures. Biol Reprod. 2010; 82(2): 402-12.
Sriraman V, Modi SR, Bodenburg Y, Denner LA, Urban RJ. Identification of ERK and JNK as signaling mediators on protein kinase C activation in cultured granulosa cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2008; 294(1-2): 52-60.
Sriraman V, Eichenlaub-Ritter U, Bartsch JW, Rittger A, Mulders SM, Richards JS. Regulated expression of ADAM8 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain 8) in the mouse ovary: evidence for a regulatory role of luteinizing hormone, progesterone receptor, and epidermal growth factor-like growth factors. Biol Reprod. 2008; 78(6): 1038-48.
Dr. Ivonne-Marie
Bergés
1980 B.S. Psychometrics National University Pedro H. Ureña, Santo
Domingo, Dominican Republic
1984 M.S. Clinical Psychology, National University Pedro H. Ureña, Santo
Domingo, Dominican Republic
1997 M.S. Health Promotion and
Gerontology, UTMB
1999-2004 Predoctoral fellowship, Sealy Center on Aging, UTMB
2004 Ph.D. Preventive Medicine and
Community Health, UTMB
2004-2007 Postdoctoral fellowship,
Sealy Center on Aging, UTMB
BIRCHW Scholar: 10/1/2006 - 12/31/2008, Disparities in stroke outcomes.
Ivone-Marie's main research interest is in documenting the disparities in stroke outcomes in underserved ethnic groups. “I am particularly interested in gender differences in functional recovery post stroke and how these differences may vary by ethnicity,” she says. Berges has focused her research on psychosocial factors: stress, social support, social and networks.
Selected Publications:
Seale GS, Berges IM, Ottenbacher KJ, Ostir GV. Change in positive emotion and recovery of functional status following stroke. Rehabil Psychol. 2010; 55(1): 33-9.
Berges IM, Graham JE, Ostir GV, Markides KS, Ottenbacher KJ. Sex differences in mortality among older frail Mexican Americans. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2009; 18(10): 1647-51.
Bergés IM, Kuo YF, Ostir GV, Granger CV, Graham JE, Ottenbacher KJ. Gender and ethnic differences in rehabilitation outcomes after hip-replacement surgery. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2008; 87(7): 567-72.
Ostir GV, Berges IM, Ottenbacher ME, Clow A, Ottenbacher KJ. Associations between positive emotion and recovery of functional status following stroke. Psychosom Med. 2008; 70(4):404-9. Epub 2008 Apr 23.
Dr. Celia Chao
1987 A.B. East Asian Studies, Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, NY
1991 M.D. Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
1991-1998 Residency, General Surgery, Yale New Haven Hospital Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery New Haven, CT
1998-2000 Fellowship, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA
2003-Present Assistant Professor
BIRCHW Scholar: 3/1/2007 - 2/28/2009, Gastrointestinal hormones & breast cancer, UTMB.
Celia's research topics concern the study of paracrine signaling in fibroblasts.
Upon receiving UTMB's Researcher of the Month Award (June 2010), Celia explained that she is "interested in the study of the non-cancerous cells that make up a solid tumor. Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which are known to support the growth and progression of a colon cancer, are of particular interest. These cells secrete special matrix proteins found in cancers and signal to the nearby cancer cells to promote tumor growth. Through these studies, I hope to identify both prognostic and therapeutic candidate genes that will impact how we care for patients with primary operable cancers."
"The long-term goal of her molecular study,"' adds her mentor, Dr. Mark Hellmich, "is to develop an effective and efficient clinical test to identify high-risk Stage II colorectal cancer patients most likely to gain survival benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.” "Conversely," he said, "those unlikely to benefit may avoid treatment-related toxicity and cost."
Selected Publications:
Chao C, Han X, Ives K, Park J, Kolokoltsov AA, Davey RA, Moyer MP, Hellmich MR. CCK2 receptor expression transforms non-tumorigenic human NCM356 colonic epithelial cells into tumor forming cells. International Journal of Cancer. 2010; 126(4): 864-75.
Chao C, Hellmich MR. Gastrin, inflammation, and carcinogenesis. Curr Opin Endocrinol Deiabetes Obes. 2010; 17(1): 33-9.
Chao C, Ives K, Hellmich HL, Townsend CM Jr, Hellmich MR. Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor in breast cancer mediates cellular migration and interleukin-8 expression. J Surg Res. 2009; 156(1):26-31.
Dr. Jeffrey Temple
1998 B.A. Psychology, University of Texas, San Antonio, TXEast
2004 M.A. Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX
2006 Ph.D. Counseling Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX.
2005-2006 Predoctoral Internship, Clincial Psychology, Brown University, Providence, RI.
2006-2007 Post-doctoral Research Fellowship, Brown University, Providence, RI.
2007-2009 Assistant Professor, BIRCWH Scholar, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX.
2009-present Assistant Professor, Research Director (Pelvic Health), University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX.
BIRCHW Scholar: 7/1/2007 - 8/20/2009, Violence prevention in adolscents, UTMB.
Jeff’s research has primarily focused on examining the causes, course, and consequences of violence within intimate relationships. He is particularly interested in the negative effects of intimate partner violence, sexual aggression, and psychological abuse on women’s mental and physical health.
With grants from the NICHD, the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, and the John Sealy Endowment Fund for Biomedical Research, Dr. Temple is currently studying the effects of teen dating violence on mental health and school performance among low-income and ethnically diverse youth.
Selected Publications:
Temple JR, Freeman Jr DH. Dating violence and substance use among ethnically diverse adolescents. J Interpers Violence. 2010 Jun 28.
Wu ZH, Temple JR, Shokar NK, Nguyen-Oghalai TU, Grady JJ. Differential racial/ethnic patterns in substance use initation among young, low-income women. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2010; 36(2):123-9.
Freeman DH, Temple JR. Social factors associated with history of sexual assault among ethnically diverse adolescents. J Fam Violence. 2010; 25(3):349-356.
Behnken MP, Le YC, Temple JR, Berenson AB. Forced sexual intercourse, suicidality, and binge drinking among adolescent girls. Addict Behav. 2010;35(5):507-9.
Temple JR, Stuart GL, O'Farrell TJ. Prevention of intimate partner violence in substance-using populations. Subst Use Misuse. 2009;44(9-10):1318-28. Review.
Stuart GL, O'Farrell TJ, Temple JR. Review of the association between treatment for substance misuse and reductions in intimate partner violence. Subst Use Misuse. 2009;44(9-10):1298-317. Review.
Rahman M, Temple JR, Breitkopf CR, Berenson AB. Racial differences in body fat distribution among reproductive-aged women. Metabolism. 2009;58(9):1329-37. Epub 2009 Jun 18.
Temple JR, Weston R, Stuart GL, Marshall LL. The longitudinal association between alcohol use and intimate partner violence among ethnically diverse community women. Addict Behav. 2008;33(9):1244-8.
Stuart GL, Temple JR, Follansbee KW, Bucossi MM, Hellmuth JC, Moore TM. The role of drug use in a conceptual model of intimate partner violence in men and women arrested for domestic violence. Psychol Addict Behav. 2008; 22(1):12-24.
2008-present Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology,
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch,
Galveston, TX
2008-2010 BIRCWH Scholar, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX.
2008 Postdoctoral Fellowship, Adolescent Health Protection Research, University of
Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
2008 M.P.H., Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
2005 Ph.D.,Clinical Psychology,University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
2001 M.A., Clinical Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
1994 B.A., Honors, Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA
BIRCHW Scholar: 8/1/2008 - 1/14/2010, Body image, weight control behaviors in adolescent girls, UTMB.
Patricia's research interests include obesity; disordered eating behaviors (i.e., chronic dieting, laxative use, vomiting); eating disorders; body image as a risk factor for physical and mental health outcomes such as inadequate physical activity and eating disorders; sociocultural influences on problematic eating and (weight-related) behaviors and body image (including family, peer, and media influences on eating and activity); weight teasing; weight bias.
Selected Publications:
Loth K, van den Berg P, Eisenberg M, & Neumark-Sztainer D. Stressful life events and disordered eating behaviors: Findings from Project EAT. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2008; 43: 514-51
van den Berg P, Neumark-Sztainer D, Eisenberg ME, Haines J. Racial/ethnic differences in weight-related teasing in adolescents. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2008;16 Suppl 2:S3-10.
Haines J, Neumark-Sztainer D, Hannan PJ, van den Berg P, Eisenberg ME. Longitudinal and secular trends in weight-related teasing during adolescence. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2008;16 Suppl 2:S18-23.
Neumark-Sztainer D, Wall M, Story M, & van den Berg P. Accurate parental classification of their overweight adolescents’ weight status: Does it matter? Pediatrics. 2008;12: e1495- e1502.
Barr-Anderson DJ, van den Berg P, Neumark-Sztainer D, & Story M. Characteristics associated with older adolescents who have a TV in their bedroom. Pediatrics. 2008; 121: 718-724.
1987-1988 Internship, University Hospital. Caracas, Venezuela
1989-1991 Residency, Internal Medicine, University Hospital. Caracas, Venezuela
1992-1993 Fellowship, Rheumatology, University Hospital. Caracas, Venezuela
1994-1998 Faculty, Rheumatology, University Hospital, Caracas, Venezuela
1994-1998 Faculty, Rheumatology, University Hospital, Caracas, Venezuela; Head of epidemiology, Centro Nacional de Enfermedades Reumaticas, University Hospital, Caracas, Venezuela
1996-1998 Co-director of rheumatology fellowship, University Hospital, Caracas, Venezuela.
1998-2005 Visiting scientist, Dept of Sealy Center on Aging, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX.
2005-2007 Post-doctoral Fellowship, Sealy Center on Aging, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
2008-present Assistant Professor, Rehabilitation Sciences Division/School of Health Professions.
2008-present Assistant Professor, Rehabilitation Sciences Division/School of Health Professions.
Soham's area of research topics concern obesity and related health outcomes in older Mexican Americans and elders from Latin America and the Carribbean. Other areas of Soham's research interests include: frailty, functional assessment, and factors associated with life space mobility assessment in older Mexican Americans; Population health and health disparities; and health outcomes among Venezuelan patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Selected Publications:
. Obesity and disability: relation among older adults living in Latin America and the Caribbean.American Journal of Epidemiology 2010;171(12):1282-8.
Raji MA, Al Snih S, Ostir GV, Markides KS, Ottenbacher KJ. Cognitive Status and Future Risk of Frailty in Older Mexican Americans. J. Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2010 July 9 [Epub ahead of print].
Rodríguez-Polanco E, Al Snih S, Kuo YF, Millán A, Rodríguez MA. Lag time between onset of symptoms and diagnosis in Venezuelan patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Reumatol Int. 2010, Jan 12 [Epub ahead of print].
.Frailty and incidence of activities of daily living disability among older Mexican Americans. Journal of rehabilitation medicine: official journal of the UEMS European Board of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine 2009;41(11):892-7.
Weaver GD, Kuo YF, Raji MA, Al Snih S, Ray L, Torres E, Ottenbacher KJ. Pain and disability in older Mexican-American adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2009; 57(6): 992-9.
Serra-Bonett N, Al Snih S, Rodriguez MA.Effects of low-dose prednisone on leukocyte counts and subpopulations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. J Clin Rheumatol. 2009; 15(3): 148-9.
Ottenbacher KJ, Graham JE, Al Snih S, Raji M, Samper-Ternent R, Ostir GV, Markides KS. Mexican Americans and frailty: findings from the Hispanic established populations epidemiologic studies of the elderly. Am J Public Health. 2009; 99(4):673-9.
Applicants can send a complete application packet to Abbey B. Berenson, MD, MMS, PhD
