James Kasper, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in UTMB’s Center for Addiction Research, was invited to chair the Behavioral 
Sensitization section at the fourth annual Asia-Pacific Society for Alcohol and Addiction Research (APSAAR) and fifth annual International Drug Abuse Research Society (IDARS), Frontiers in Addiction Conference in Sydney, Australia, in August. He also presented his research, “A novel neuropeptide regulator of behavioral sensitization to cocaine.”
Jia Zhou, Ph.D., associate professor in UTMB’s Center for Addiction Research, and Kathryn Cunningham, Ph.D., CAR director, have received a grant from the National Institutes of Health for more than $2.4 million. The goal of this five-year project is to develop small molecules that can regulate the balance of serotonin receptors in the brain in such a way that decreases relapse in cocaine addicts.
James LeDuc, Ph.D., director of the Galveston National Laboratory, has been appointed by the American Society for Microbiology
as chair of the Committee on Public Health of the Public and Scientific Affairs Board for a term ending June 30, 2018.
Slobodan Paessler, DVM, Ph.D., a professor of Pathology, has been appointed by the National Institutes of Health as a member of the Virology B Study Section, Center for Scientific Review for a term beginning July 1 and ending June 30, 2021. In this role, he will review grant applications submitted to the NIH, make recommendations on the applications to the NIH national advisory council and survey the status of research in their fi elds of science. Paessler was chosen because of his demonstrated competence and achievement in his scientific discipline.
Laurie Clendenen, a nurse clinician in the Children’s Hospital Pediatric Unit at John Sealy Hospital, took quick action to help 
save the life of a patient’s father, who was choking on a piece of food. As she was assessing and caring for patients, she noticed a man quickly jump up and run to the bathroom. She noted that he had been sitting on the couch eating dinner just moments before and knew he was choking. She immediately yelled for help and put the man into position for the Heimlich maneuver. After two swift thrusts, the food was dislodged and the man was able to breathe. Afterward, she ensured that he was stable before resuming care for her younger patients. Way to go, Laurie!
A women’s conference was held Aug. 15 at The Village at Tuscan Lakes in League City. UTMB’s Dr. Catherine Hansen, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecoloy, was the keynote speaker. More than 100 residents were offered health screening tests for blood pressure, glucose and stroke.
Kristen Peek, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, has been appointed program 
director of the Population Health graduate program for a term beginning Sept. 1.
Dr. David Callender recently accepted a $100,000 check on behalf of UTMB, proceeds from the 19th annual San Luis Salute. The Salute, hosted by Tilman and Paige Fertitta, celebrates Mardi Gras! Galveston by providing a charitable aspect to the city’s annual celebration. Each year, the Salute recognizes the extraordinary work of doctors and scientists, and also funds specific programs at UTMB. This year, the San Luis Salute benefitted UTMB’s National Biocontainment Training Center. Honorees included Drs. Alan Barrett, Thomas Geisbert, Thomas Ksiazek, James LeDuc and Scott Weaver.
The Third Quarter 2015 issue of District Energy magazine—a publication of the International District Energy Association
—features a familiar photo on the cover: Old Red. Inside, you’ll fi nd UTMB featured in a story about our utility operations during and after Hurricane Ike and the comprehensive four-step solution to ensure that we’ll remain resilient during any similar catastrophic weather event in the future. Marcel Blanchard, CEM, CEP, assistant vice president of UTMB’s utility operations, co-wrote the article.