USC honors outstanding achievement at annual Convocation

VOLUME 14, NUMBER 14 APRIL 25, 2008

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FUN IN THE SUN—First-year medical students Angie Basso (left) and Ashley Prosper enjoy some impromptu hula hooping

on the sidelines of a volleyball game at Student Spirit Day, held April 15, on the Harry and Celeste Pappas Quad. The

beach party-themed event offered fruit smoothies and dinner hosted by Keck School of Medicine Dean Carmen A.

Puliafito. More than 150 students participated in the festivities.

Two faculty members whose work isimportant to health care received USC'shighest honor, the PresidentialMedallion, April 7 at the 27th annualAcademic Honors Convocation.

They are Hastings DistinguishedProfessor and Chair of CardiothoracicSurgery Vaughn A. Starnes andUniversity Professor MichaelWaterman.

At the Convocation, USC PresidentSteven B. Sample presented the USCFaculty Lifetime Achievement Awardto Michael Lai, Distinguished ProfessorEmeritus of Molecular Microbiologyand Immunology at the Keck School ofMedicine. In addition, he honored sev-eral other members of the University

health sciences community for out-standing achievement.

Starnes, an internationally renownedsurgeon, has been a pioneer in cardio-thoracic surgery, heart and lung trans-plantation and repair of congenital heart

defects. He is also acclaimed for hisexpertise in heart surgery for newbornsand children.

Appointed as a USC DistinguishedProfessor in 2004, he is the foundingexecutive director of the University’sCardiovascular Thoracic Institute. Healso directs the residency program forcongenital cardiac surgery at ChildrensHospital Los Angeles.

Sample said Starnes was recognizedfor “significant contributions to cardio-thoracic medicine and transplantation,his distinguished career as a healer andeducator, and his dedication to theadvancement of human health and well-being.”

Speaking about Waterman, Sample

said that the University Professor, amember of the USC faculty since 1982,“is widely regarded as the foundingfather of computational biology.”

The interdisciplinary field uses math-ematics, statistics and computer scienceto study molecular mechanisms.

He co-developed the Smith-Waterman algorithm for gene and pro-tein sequence comparison and theLander-Waterman formulas for physicalmapping and sequencing.

This second algorithm made it possi-ble for the biotech firm CeleraGenomics to accelerate and completesequencing of the human genome wellin advance of the government-funded

By Kukla Vera

Recall of Heparin, a widely-used bloodthinner, due to contaminants in shipmentsfrom China.

Lead in paint on toys prompts massivetoy recalls.

Wires used in implantable heart devicesare defective and recalled by the manufac-turer.

These are just a few recent headlinesthat have scared consumers, creating anuncertainty about the integrity of thefoods we eat, the medicines we takeand the medical devices we use. Tamingthese risks are professionals in regulato-ry science, the discipline that shepherdsproducts through the regulatory envi-ronment, charged with making themsafer while following government regu-lations and bringing products, manylifesaving, to consumers faster.

This is heady stuff and the globalmarketplace requires complex thinkersto lead this effort and to forestall futureheadlines like those above. To this end,USC has announced the world’s firstprogram leading to a professional doc-torate in regulatory science.

Announcement of the program wasmade on March 26 at the 2008Horizons Conference of the RegulatoryAffairs Professional Society in SanFrancisco.

“The doctoral program is aimed atmid-career executives in the rapidlygrowing biomedical and pharmaceutical

From left, Michael Waterman, USC PresidentSteven B. Sample and Vaughn A. Starnes.

By Sara Villagran

The 2009 U.S. News & World ReportAnnual Guide to America’s Best GraduateSchools has awarded a top ranking toUSC’s Division of Biokinesiology andPhysical Therapy at the School ofDentistry.

The division placed first out of 211professional (entry-level) physicaltherapy programs around the countryaccredited by the Commission onAccreditation in Physical TherapyEducation.

Although the program has been in

the top spot since 2004, this year therankings were based on a new surveyconducted in the fall of 2007. Therankings were based on the results ofpeer assessment surveys sent to deans,administrators, and/or faculty at accred-ited degree programs or schools in eachdiscipline.

Respondents rated the academicquality of programs on a five-pointscale, based on their assessment of thecurriculum, faculty and graduates.

“We have always known that we aredoing excellent work here at USC, but

it’s wonderful to have that confirmationfrom our peers,” said James Gordon,associate dean and chair of the division.“Now we just need to continue workinghard to stay on top.”

The division recently completed acomprehensive strategic plan for 2007-2012. The aim of the plan is to “createand exploit opportunities that willextend our leadership and excellencethrough 2012 and beyond.”

Established in 1945 to train physicaltherapists at the undergraduate level,

Division of Physical Therapy ranked first in nation—again

See CONVOCATION, page 2

See REGULATORY, page 3 See RANKINGS, page 3

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USC creates world’sfirst Ph.D. program inregulatory science

HSC Weekly is published for the faculty, staff, students and community of the Universityof Southern California’s Health Sciences Campus. It is written and produced by theHealth Sciences Public Relations and Marketing staff. Comments, suggestions andstory ideas are welcome via the contact points listed above. Permission to reprint articleswith attribution is freely given.

Assoc. Senior Vice Pres., Health SciencesPublic Relations and Marketing: Jane BrustExecutive Director of Communicationsand Marketing: Ina FriedEditor: Jon Nalick

Senior Vice President, UniversityRelations: Martha HarrisContributors: Eva Blaauw, Jennifer Chan,Veronica Jauriqui, Katie Neith, Kukla Vera,Sara Villagran and Jon Weiner

Phone: 323-442-2830 Fax: 323-442-2832 Email: hscwkly@usc.edu Web: uscnews.usc.edu/hscweekly/ Next Issue: May 2

Human Genome Project.He is the principal investigator for

the USC Center of Excellence inGenomic Science, a founding editor ofthe Journal of Computational Biologyand a member of the AmericanAcademy of Arts and Sciences and theNational Academy of Sciences, amongother associations.

The medallion, Sample said, wasawarded to Waterman “for his pioneer-ing work in computational biology, hisdistinguished career as a scientist andeducator, and his dedication to the well-being of USC’s community of scholars.”

Sample recognized Lai for his pio-neering studies of infectious diseases,his stature as a world-renowned virolo-

gist and for his research into a widerange of RNA viruses, including hepati-tis C and the coronavirus that causessevere acute respiratory syndrome.

Lai became president of NationalCheng Kung University in Taiwan afterretiring from USC in 2006, though hemaintains a portion of his research pro-gram at the Keck School of Medicine.

Two Keck faculty members were rec-ognized for previously announced hon-ors. Appointed by President Sample,Stephen J. Ryan was namedDistinguished Professor and Richard F.Thompson was named UniversityProfessor. Distinguished Professor is thehonor given to professors whose accom-plishments have brought special renownto the university. University Professor is

an honor reserved for faculty memberswho have displayed significant accom-plishments in several disciplines.

Ryan, who holds the Grace andEmery Beardsley Distinguished Chairof Ophthalmology at the Keck Schoolof Medicine, is president of the DohenyEye Institute, former dean of the KeckSchool of Medicine and former USCsenior vice president for medical care.

Thompson is the William M. KeckChair in Biological Sciences and profes-sor of psychology at USC College, pro-fessor of neurology at the Keck Schoolof Medicine of USC, and seniorresearch associate at the USC DavisSchool of Gerontology.

Keck School doctoral student Feng-Ting Huang received the Phi Kappa

Phi Student Recognition Award for herresearch into the production of antibod-ies in the human body. Her researchseeks ways to prevent and treat diseasessuch as sporadic Burkitt’s lymphoma.

Elyn R. Saks received the Phi KappaPhi Faculty Recognition Award. She isassociate dean and the Orrin B. EvansProfessor of Law at the USC GouldSchool of Law, professor of psychologyat the USC College, and professor ofpsychiatry and behavioral sciences at theKeck School of Medicine. A mentalhealth law expert, Saks won the 12thAnnual Books For A Better Life Awardin the inspirational category for hermemoir The Center Cannot Hold: MyJourney Through Madness, which chroni-cles her battle with schizophrenia.

By Jon Nalick

At a recent conference of the USC Board ofTrustees, the board honored Distinguished Professorand former Keck School of Medicine Dean Brian E.Henderson for his leadership of the School and hisdistinguished continuing research career.

At its March 28 conference, the board passed a res-olution that also praised Henderson for his guidanceof the Keck School’s Department of Preventive

Medicine as its founding chair, the USC/NorrisComprehensive Cancer Center as its former director,and the USC Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute as itsfounding director.

The resolution stated, “His decanal legacy includesimpressive gains in research funding and medical stu-dent test scores, the recruitment of more world-classprofessors and scientists, the creation of a stem cellresearch program, and the completion of the USC

Harlyne J. Norris Cancer Research Tower.”It also stated that the University “honors with the

highest esteem the commitment of Brian Hendersonto the well-being and vitality of the university and itsmission, and proclaims its enduring and profoundgratitude for his exemplary and continued service.”

Henderson, the Kenneth T. Norris Jr. Chair inCancer Prevention, stepped down as dean in 2007 andreturned to full-time research in cancer epidemiology.

By Katie Neith

Frank Markland, professor of biochem-istry and molecular biology, has steppeddown from his role as associate dean forscientific affairs of the Keck School ofMedicine, after four years of contributionsto innovative programs. Effective April30, Markland will re-focus his attentionon his productive research program.

During his service as associate dean,beginning in 2004, Markland helped jun-ior faculty secure funding in an increas-ingly competitive research environment.He designed a position for a scientificgrants writer and worked to establish theOffice of Postdoctoral Affairs.

More recently, Markland was instru-mental in establishing collaborations thatled to USC’s initial funding for stem cellresearch from the California Institute forRegenerative Medicine.

“This position came about unexpected-ly for me and I really enjoyed it,” saidMarkland. “I learned a lot and wish thenew team great success in their futureendeavors.”

The Keck School’s new office ofresearch advancement is headed byElizabeth Fini, who joined the Keck fac-

ulty Feb. 29 as senior associate dean forresearch advancement. “Dr. Markland hasmade significant contributions to the sup-port of the Keck School’s research enter-prise during a time of transition andopportunity,” Fini said. “We are gratefulfor his contributions, upon which we willbuild.”

A veteran of the Keck School facultysince 1973, Markland served as actingchair of the Department of Biochemistryand Molecular Biology from 1986 to1988. He also led the Medical FacultyAssembly in 1982.

Markland’s research in centers on seek-ing medical applications for compoundsfound in snake venom, including breakingup blood clots and fighting cancer.Markland is now writing grants to expandhis research to look at different anti-angiogenic approaches.

He remains active in this year’s compe-tition for awards from the Donald E. andDelia B. Baxter Foundation and theWright Foundation, both of which pro-vide funding for junior faculty to furthertheir research and position them for largerscale funding from the National Institutesof Health and other government agencies.

USC Board of Trustees honors Brian Henderson for leadership of Keck School

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CONVOCATION: USC honors exemplary faculty and student accomplishmentsContinued from page 1

Markland exits scientific affairs post to focus on research

BAXTER FOUNDATION CONTINUES TRADITION OF SUPPORT—Trustees of the Donald E.and Delia B. Baxter Foundation visited the Health Science Campus on April 21. The founda-tion generously supports junior faculty research and medical students and, to that end, hasgiven more than $5 million dollars since 1959. Front row, from left are: Trustee Don Haake;Katie Russell, daughter of Trustees Jim and Jane Russell; Trustee Martha Haake, daughter ofDonald E. and Delia B. Baxter. Back row, from left are: Jim Russell; Jane Russell; TrusteeRichard Haake, Dr. Elizabeth Fini, senior associate dean for research advancement at the KeckSchool; and Frank Markland, associate dean of scientific affairs.

Visit the USC Web:

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This page will be activated in case of

an emergency. Backup Web servers on

the East Coast will function if the USC

servers are incapacitated.

Call the Emergency Information Phone:

213-740-9233

The emergency telephone system can

handle 1,400 simultaneous calls. It also

has a back up system on the East Coast.

In Case of An Emergency...

By Jon Nalick

A family-sponsored group that sup-ports research and patient care at theKeck School of Medicine’s Leslie P.Weiner Neurological Care andResearch Center is seeking new mem-bers to broaden its reach and furtherassist the Center.

Called CONQUEST, for“Comprehensive OutpatientNeurological Quest for Excellence,”the group is composed of volunteerpatients, family members and friendswhose lives have been personallytouched by the faculty and staff at theWeiner Neurological Center. Since itsinception in 2001, the group has raisedmore than $300,000 through CON-QUEST events and direct solicitation

for research and the expansion of thenumerous advocacy services.

Helena Chui, professor and chair ofneurology, said that the donations havebeen used during the past two years tofund social worker and psychologistpositions at the center as well as a train-ing program for young psychologistsand social workers.

The program, known as the Centerof Psychosocial Excellence (COPE),helps provide support services to per-sons with chronic neurologic disordersand their families.

Gail Murdock, assistant professor of

neurology, who established COPE, saidthat the program focuses less on neuro-logical symptoms and more on generalquality of life issues such as “how welive, how we love, how we prioritizegoals and value ourselves, loved onesand life goals.

“The COPE program is here to assistour clients in recognizing these impor-tant issues. We strive to help maintainhope, with the knowledge that medicalcare isn’t just about the body and itstravails,” she said.

However, Chui noted that the CON-QUEST Fund is nearly depleted andthe expanded psychological and socialwork services “are now in jeopardy ofbeing reduced.”

To help maintain those services,CONQUEST is now seeking newmembers and donors and will hostinformational meetings in May aboutways to join and volunteer.

There will be meetings on May 7 at 6p.m. and May 13 at 10:30 a.m. at theVan Der Meulen Library, third floor,Healthcare Consultation Center II,1520 San Pablo St., Los Angeles. Also,donors may contribute through a pro-gram called “Friends of CONQUEST.”Contributions will be used to maintainthe COPE program.

For information or to attend, contactKirsten Heckes at (323) 442-5984.

Advocacy group seeks to aid neurological patients

industries,” said Frances J. Richmond,director of the program. “It will focuson global strategies for dealing with theexplosion of new healthcare productsand the web of national laws and inter-national policies that govern everythingfrom clinical trials to manufacturing toadvertising.”

Richmond started the USC regulato-ry science program offering a Master ofScience curriculum in 1999. At itsinception, the USC program was one ofonly a handful in the nation while todaya dozen programs exist. The programhas grown from a few students to nearly100. The demand for the graduates hasbeen startling, with many entertainingmultiple job offers upon or beforedegree completion.

“Dr. Richmond has cultivated a richnetwork of industry partners, many ofwhom teach in the program and hireour graduates. These partners convincedus of the need to offer the professionaldoctorate,” said School of PharmacyDean R. Pete Vanderveen.

According to Richmond, regulatoryscience is transitioning from adminis-tering paperwork and procedures topioneering new ways to manage theopportunities and challenges that arethe fodder of news headlines over thepast years.

“The USC professional doctoral pro-gram in regulatory science represents a

major milestone in recognizing the crit-ical importance of regulatory affairs as adiscipline requiring the highest level offormal scientific training,” said RickWilson, senior vice president of GlobalRegulatory Affairs at Allergan. “Just asthe master’s program has produced crit-ically needed talent for this importantfield, the doctoral program promises toincrease the supply of well-trained,knowledgeable persons needed forindustry, academia and regulatory agen-cies.”

“Classes for students in the doctoralprogram will be offered at the USCHealth Sciences Campus and via dis-tance education offerings that provide avirtual classroom experience throughlecture webcasting, live video-confer-encing and ‘e-teams’ tackling simulatedprojects,” said Richmond. “The pro-gram structure has been designed toaccommodate working professionals.”

The program is expected to takethree to five years, depending on thestudent’s prior education and theamount of time available to devote tostudies. Applications are being acceptedfor the inaugural class starting in thefall of 2008.

Learn more about the professionaldoctorate program and other offeringsat http://regulatory.usc.edu or contactregsci@usc.edu or Kathy Knodel, man-ager of Regulatory Science Programs at(323) 442-3102.

The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) and Gay and LesbianMedical Association recently honored two Keck School groups for their effortsto bolster awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender health issues.

The national organizations honored Keck AMSA and USC MedGLO, theMedical Gay and Lesbian Organization, with the LGBT Health AchievementAward, praising them for promoting “innovation and diversity in sustainable,meaningful programming, as well as a commitment to advocacy for this com-munity of patients and providers.”

Keck School student Patrick Hou, whose work on campus also was recog-nized through the award, said specific programs that garnered praise includedthe Keck School’s first National Coming Out and Ally Day event, whichattracted more than 300 people from USC and the local community, andnumerous lunchtime talks on subjects such as transgender health issues.

Hou called the campus educational efforts “truly works of collaborationbetween MedGLO and AMSA” and highlighted the efforts of his student col-leagues, including Natalie Ramos, Russell Buhr, Michael Lee, Jolene Sawyerand Kjerstin Barrett.

the division started offering master’s degrees in physical therapy in 1962. When itbegan awarding a doctor of philosophy degree in 1984, it was the first physicaltherapy program in the nation to do so. It was only the second program in thenation to offer the doctor of physical therapy (DPT) as the entry-level profession-al degree in physical therapy.

Today, the division enrolls about 321 students, the majority in the DPT pro-gram. Others are enrolled in residency programs in orthopedic and neurologicphysical therapy (specialty programs for practicing therapists) or research degreeprograms (master of science and doctor of philosophy) in biokinesiology. Facultymembers conduct research in a number of areas: biomechanics, motor behaviorand motor control, exercise science, and motor development.

RANKINGS: USC’s PT program remains at #1 spotContinued from page 1

Professor Frances Richmond is director of the regulatory science program at the

School of Pharmacy.

REGULATORY: New program is first of its kindContinued from page 1

National groups laud USC on gay, lesbian issues

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HSC NEWSMAKERS Complete listing at: www.usc.edu/uscnews/usc_in_the_news/

An April 22 CNN.com article quoted OB/GYN Daniel Mishell on a non-surgical sterilizationprocedure as an option for birth control.

On April 21, British TV network Sky News featured Doheny ophthalmologist Mark Humayunand the artificial retina implant project. International publications, including The Scotsman, TimesOnline and The Australian ran similar stories.

On April 21, CNN interviewed pharmacologist James Adams about datura stramonium, a plantthat Native Americans used in sacred ceremonies.

An April 20 Philadelphia Inquirer article quoted molecular biologist Pragna Patel about the evolu-tion of human anatomy.

An April 19 Boston Globe article quoted liver transplant expert Andrew Stolz and noted LAC +USC Medical Center in a story about organ transplants for immigrants.

An April 18 Palos Verdes Peninsula News article profiled pharmacist Walter Cathey and the USCSchool of Pharmacy Diversity Initiative.

Calendar of EventsMonday, Apr. 28

NOON. Fellows’ Core CurriculumConference. “Renal Physiology,” AliciaMcDonough, USC. GNH Drs. DiningRm. A & B. Info: (323) 226-7307

4 P.M. Transplant Conference. “PostTransplant Lmphoproliferative Disorders,”Miroslaw Smogorzewski, USC. UHSalerni Rm. Info: (323) 226-7307

Tuesday, Apr. 29

9 A.M. Neurology Grand Rounds.“Multiple Sclerosis Differential Diagnosis:When McDonald Had a BetterExplanation,” Mark Tullman, ColumbiaUniv. ZNI 112. Info: (323) 442-7686

NOON. Cancer Ctr. Grand Rounds. “FromNew Molecules to New Therapies forInflammation and Cancer,” Nicos Petasis,USC. NOR 7409. Info: (323) 865-0801

Wednesday, Apr. 30

7 A.M. Medicine Grand Rounds. “PrimaryHyperaldosteronism,” Suma Raju, USC.GNH 1645. Info: (323) 226-7556

NOON. Renal Grand Rounds. “RenalPathology,” Michael Koss, USC. GNH6441. Info: (323) 226-7307

Friday, May 2

8:30 A.M. “The Role of the Bcl-2 Proteinsin the Development of Lung Injury,” G.R.Scott Budinger, Northwestern Univ. GNH11-321. Info: (323) 226-7923

Monday, May 5

NOON. “Genetic and Genomic Analysis ofthe Mammalian Circadian Oscillator,”Satchidananda Panda, Salk Inst. NOR7409. Info: (323) 442-1144

NOON. Fellows’ Core CurriculumConference. “Case Discussion: Acid/BaseDisorders,” Elaine Kaptein, USC. GNHDrs. Dining Rm. A&B. Info: (323) 226-7307

Tuesday, May 6

NOON. Cancer Ctr. Grand Rounds. “DNAMethylation and Women’s Cancer,” MartinWidschwendter, Univ. College London.NOR 7409. Info: (323) 865-0801

Wednesday, May 7

NOON. Renal Grand Rounds. “RenalImaging: Cases,” Vinay Duddalwar, USC.GNH 6441. Info: (323) 226-7307

Friday, May 9

8:30 A.M. “ENaC Membrane Expressionand Function in the Lung at Birth isRegulated by SGK and Nedd4-2,” HansFolkesson, Northeastern Ohio Univ.GNH 11-321. Info: (323) 226-7923

The HSC Calendar is online at www.usc.edu/hsccalendar

USC Health SciencesPublic Relations1975 Zonal Ave.KAM 400Los Angeles, CA 90033

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. POSTAGE PAIDUniversity of Southern

California

Notice: Deadline for calendar submission is 4 p.m. Monday to be considered for thatweek’s issue—although three weeks advance notice of events is recommended. Please note thattimely submission does not guarantee an item will be printed. Send calendar items to HSC Weekly,KAM 400 or fax to (323) 442-2832, or e-mail to eblaauw@usc.edu. Entries must include day, date,time, title of talk, first and last name of speaker, affiliation of speaker, location, and a phone numberfor information.

SCIENCE, WITH A TWIST(ER)—Fifth grade

students from schools surrounding USC’s

Health Sciences Campus participated in the

eighth annual USC-HSC Science Fair, held

April 18, on Harry and Celeste Pappas

Quad. Students from Griffin Avenue

Elementary, Murchison Street Elementary

and Sheridan Street Elementary competed

for a variety of prizes, including a pizza

party awarded to the winning science proj-

ect. Project topics included the inner work-

ings of the eye, the science behind torna-

does (left) and the effects of cell phones

on raw eggs (above). Close to 400 students

participated in the event.

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uiSAVE THE DATE

April 29—Akiko Ito, chief of the

United Nations Global Program

on Disability, will speak about

her efforts from noon to 1:30

p.m. at the Norris Library

Basement Conference Room. Ito

is responsible for the U.N.’s pro-

gram to promote the human

rights of persons with disabilities

through law, policies and devel-

opment cooperation.

She has been charged with the

disability program at the United

Nations since 1994. Boxed lunch-

es will be provided. For more

information or to RSVP, contact

Erin Quinn at erinquin@usc.edu.