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College of Human Medicine

September College News Headlines

September 30, 2024

Five student groups hosted an event in celebration of Women in Medicine Month. They assembled more than 250 personal care packages and activity kits and wrote heartfelt notes that will be delivered to local women's shelters.
Five student groups hosted an event in celebration of Women in Medicine Month. They assembled more than 250 personal care packages and activity kits and wrote heartfelt notes that will be delivered to local women's shelters.

Student Success

  • Fourth-year Southeast Michigan Campus student Momodou Baha is the inaugural recipient of the American Society of Black Neurosurgeons’ Dr. Clarence Sumner Greene Sr. Honorarium Award.
  • Fourth-year student Marquisha Myles discusses her clinical rotation with the Detroit Lions medical staff in an interview on MSU Today with Russ White.
  • Fourth-year student Sherrita McClain-Gierach has been selected by the American Medical Association Foundation to be a member of its newest Leadership Development Institute (LDI) cohort. The year-long program is designed to cultivate a diverse group of medical students committed to serving their patients and communities.
  • As the first recipient of the Dr. Harry D. Brickley Endowed Scholarship in Human Medicine, Hannah McArthur is receiving the financial support she needs to excel as a future physician with a specific interest in serving the state’s Indigenous populations.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Staff & Faculty Success

  • The American Medical Association highlighted the life and career of Ved Gossain, MD, professor emeritus in the Department of Medicine.
  • Amy Greenberg, MEd, has been named inaugural Director of Student Success. This position will be focused on the design and implementation of efforts centered on enhancing success for our medical students.
  • Dick Sadler, PhD, associate professor in the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, was among the Flint & Genesee Group’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2024, recognizing young professionals driving positive change in the region.
  • Karen Stanley-Kime, PhD, joined the College of Human Medicine as assistant dean for Student Wellness and Engagement in the Office of Student Affairs and Services.
  • Marquis Who's Who honored Nagy A. Youssef, MD, PhD, director of the Division of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine, for his expertise in mental health care, higher education and medical research.
  • Kent Key, PhD, MPH, has been appointed associate chair for community-partnered departmental administration in the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health.
  • Lisy Colón-Berlingeri, PhD, has been appointed director of clinical experiences. She has served as the director of the early clinical experience since 2017 and will continue to serve in this capacity until a new director is selected.
  • On October 1, Emily Linnert joins the College of Human Medicine as senior public relations manager. She comes to MSU from WOOD TV 8, serving Michigan communities in local news for 25 years.
  • Supratik Rayamajhi, MD, recently was promoted to associate dean for clinical affairs. In his new position, Rayamajhi collaborates with other administrators, hospital leaders, and practices across the state to assure that medical practice and education remain financially sustainable.

Research and Scholarship

  • Aron Sousa, MD, dean of the College of Human Medicine, was interviewed by Flint Beat on the College of Human Medicine’s three-story building in Flint, the expansion of public health efforts within the community and support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
  • Amber Pearson, PhD, MPH, associate professor in the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, is leading the first randomized trial on nature-based interventions, focusing on students of color and how green spaces impact their mental health and sense of belonging.
  • Breast Cancer News reported on a recent study published in Oncotarget led by Anna Moore, PhD, director of the Precision Health Program. The research shows that stem-like breast cancer cells produce more miR-10b, which is targeted by TTX-MC138.
  • Yahoo! News reported NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre’s Parkinson’s diagnosis, raising questions about a potential link to concussions. Amit Sachdev, MD, medical director in the Department of Neurology, explained that the connection between concussions and Parkinson’s is complex and not fully understood.
  • Jamie Alan, PhD, associate professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, weighed in on a recent study reported by Women’s Health that shows that SGLT-2 inhibitors significantly reduce the risk of dementia in people with type 2 diabetes. Related: AOL, Prevention, Women’s Health, Yahoo.
  • Cara Poland, MD, addiction specialist and associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, commented on a study which found that people with a history of opioid abuse who took Ozempic were significantly less likely to overdose.
  • A newly published study found that one in five U.S. adults who die by suicide spent at least one night in jail in the year prior to their death. Jennifer Johnson, PhD, chair of the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, joined WKAR to discuss the study.
  • MSUToday highlighted a recent study by Morteza Mahmoudi, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Radiology, exploring the relationship between insulin and metformin in diabetic foot ulcers. Related: NewsWise, Mirage News, Medical Xpress, News Medical, Medical Brief South Africa.
  • Jamie Alan, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, expressed support in a Health article on the FDA's plans to investigate metals in tampons.
  • Saleh Aldasouqi, MD, chief of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, comments on whether daylight saving creates stress for diabetics. Related: WGVU News.
  • Crystal Cederna, PsyD, associate professor in the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, shares insight about how adults can help prevent youth suicide.
  • A group of MSU researchers, including Jennifer E. Johnson, PhD, chair of the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, is working to expand access to a successful postpartum depression prevention program.
  • While vaccines target the changing parts of coronavirus, Corewell Health and MSU researchers suggest it’s the unchanging parts we also need to pay attention.
  • In a Verywell article, Jamie Alan, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, comments on the efficacy of expired COVID tests. Related: Yahoo News, AOL.
  • Norbert Kaminski, PhD, director of the Institute for Integrative Toxicology and the Center for Research on Ingredient Safety, addressed the Food and Drug Administration about chemicals in food on September 25.
  • In a Women’s Health report on chemicals from food packaging leaching into foods, Jamie Alan, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, explained the health concerns associated with these chemicals.
  • In MSUToday, Crystal L. Cederna, PsyD, associate professor in the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, discusses tips to help kids navigation mental health challenges during the election season.
  • Food & Wine interviewed Jamie Alan, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, regarding the potential behavioral effects of food dyes on children. Alan stated, “The main concern is that consumption of these dyes in some children – not all – cause adverse neurobehavioral outcomes, such as ADHD and exacerbation of ADHD, in children.”
  • The Daily Mining Gazette reports on recent Superior Health Foundation health grants, including a $271,860 grant to the UP-TEACH Program, a program dedicated to training UP-based primary care providers to identify at-risk youth through mental health screenings. Related: Radio Results Network.
  • The FDA is taking action based on results from a study co-authored by Kristen Upson, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, which found metals in tampons.
  • In a Food & Wine report on concerning levels of lead found in ground cinnamon products, Jamie Alan, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, emphasized the risks for children. “Lead interferes with neural development, and exposure in children can lead to neurodevelopmental issues, including ADHD,” said Alan.
  • Yahoo! Lifestyle reported on a study revealing 3,601 food contact chemicals detected in human samples. MSU professor emeritus Dan Jones, PhD, noted the lack of knowledge about potential health risks, while associate professor Jamie Alan, PhD, called the findings “concerning,” emphasizing that the levels of exposure posing risks remain unclear.
  • Yahoo News reports on the concern over chemicals found in water bottles and food packaging. Jamie Alan, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, stated, “We do not know all the ramifications of chronic exposure to some of these chemicals, but certainly they are concerning.”
  • Prevention Magazine reported that women on TikTok are discussing using Mucinex to aid conception, despite a lack of clinical evidence supporting its effectiveness. Jamie Alan, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, stated, “the evidence is mostly anecdotal” and noted that while Mucinex does thin mucus, “we have no great evidence that shows that Mucinex is directly increasing pregnancy rates.”
  • In this Women’s Health story, Jamie Alan, PhD, associate professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, comments on CBD and weight loss.

Healthier Communities

Upcoming Events

Alumni News

  • College of Human Medicine alums Ijeoma Nnanabu, MD, and Uchechukwu Ezeigwe, MD, recently appeared on HGTV’s “House Hunters” to find their dream home in Statesboro, Georgia.
  • Get ready to celebrate in true Spartan spirit at MSU College of Human Medicine's Alumni Weekend! Join us as we reconnect with old friends, celebrate our shared journey, and look back and create new memories with joy, camaraderie, and a lot of “Go Green!”