News
Researchers Seek New Treatments for a Common Surgical Complication: Abdominal Adhesions
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
University of Rochester researchers Alayna Loiselle, PhD, and Nicole Wilson, PhD, MD, have earned a $3 million grant to investigate a complication that befalls more than half of all abdominal surgery patients: post-operative adhesions that can cause serious and sometimes lifelong health problems.
The grant, from the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, will enable Loiselle and Wilson to explore potential new ways to prevent adhesions from forming, and/or develop better treatments. Loiselle is an Associate Professor at UR’s Center for Musculoskeletal Research and the Departments of Orthopaedics & Physical Performance, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, and Biomedical Engineering; Wilson is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Surgery, Biomedical Engineering, and Pediatrics. They are co-Principal Investigators on the project.
The new research aims to provide critical insights into the basic causes of abdominal adhesion formation and reduction; define the mechanisms through which S100a4 drives adhesion formation; and establish the potential of S100a4 inhibition to prevent or resolve post-operative abdominal adhesions and adhesion-related small bowel obstructions.
Jennifer Anolik Named Chief of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology Division
Monday, January 6, 2025
Internationally renowned physician scientist Jennifer H. Anolik, MD, PhD, was named chief of the Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology (AIR) Division in the Department of Medicine, after serving as interim chief since 2021.
“I am delighted that Jen has agreed to continue leading our AIR division as chief,” said Ruth O’Regan, MD, chair of Medicine. “The division is in great hands under her leadership and will continue to benefit from her experience and expertise as a clinician, educator and researcher. I am extremely grateful to her for serving as interim chair over the past few years.”
A faculty member for 22 years, Anolik also serves as associate chair for research in the Department of Medicine, professor of Medicine, Pathology, and Microbiology and Immunology, and director of the Internal Medicine Physician Scientist Training Program.
Anolik earned her MD and PhD at the University, completed her residency in Internal Medicine in 1999 and her fellowship in Rheumatology in 2002, after which she joined the faculty.
Sarah Catheline Appointed Research Assistant Professor
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Sarah Catheline, Ph.D., has been appointed Research Associate Professor in the CMSR. Dr. Catheline completed her PhD in Pathology in the lab of Dr. Jennifer Jonason, studying the role of inflammation in age-related osteoarthritis pathogenesis. This work earned her an ASBMR Young Investigator Award in 2017. Dr. Catheline then completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia under Dr. Maurizio Pacifici, studying the molecular mechanisms underlying the rare childhood skeletal disease Hereditary Multiple Exostoses (HME) before returning to Rochester to work with Dr Roman Eliseev. As a Research Assistant Professor, Dr. Catheline will continue to explore molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial function and bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) differentiation during aging with Dr. Eliseev, while also investigating the bioenergetics of chondrogenesis and osteogenesis during skeletal development.
Please join the CMSR in congratulating Sarah on her faculty appointment!