All posts by medical

Pediatrics

Highlights from the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting – Healio

ADD TOPIC TO EMAIL ALERTS

Receive an email when new articles are posted on

Back to Healio

This week, Healio provided live coverage of the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, an annual collaboration between the AAP, Academic Pediatrics Association, American Pediatric Society and the Society for Pediatric Research.

Program Chair Judith Shaw, EdD, MPH, RN, FAAP, a professor of general pediatrics at University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, told Healio that the conference highlights a broad issue of interest across the full spectrum of pediatric research, science and education.

At this years meeting, researchers reported new data that showed adherence to the immunization schedule for children improved in the United States from 2011 to 2020, but rates differed by socioeconomic status.

Findings from another study found that most children who present to the ED with anaphylaxis can be discharged following a period ranging from 5 minutes to 2 hours, depending on their symptoms.

Read these and more highlights from the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting below:

Pediatric vaccine adherence was improving before pandemic, but not for everyone

WASHINGTON Vaccine adherence was increasing among children in the United States in the years before the COVID-19 pandemic, but rates differed by socioeconomic status, researchers reported. Read more.

VIDEO: Observation time for anaphylaxis can safely be reduced

WASHINGTON Study findings suggest that most children who visit the ED with anaphylaxis can safely be discharged after 2 hours of observation or less. Read more.

Reframing HPV shot as cancer vaccine improved uptake among 9-year-olds

WASHINGTON Experts suggested reframing conversations about HPV to encourage parents to get children vaccinated starting at age 9 years. Read more.

VIDEO: Children living in states with lenient gun laws have higher death rate

WASHINGTON Children living in states with more lenient firearm policies have a significantly higher death rate compared with those in states with stricter legislation, a study found. Read more.

Clinician reminders in electronic health records improve pediatric asthma care

WASHINGTON Reminders included in electronic health records improved the use of preventive medication and reduced health care utilization for asthma, data show. Read more.

ADD TOPIC TO EMAIL ALERTS

Receive an email when new articles are posted on

Back to Healio

Continue reading here:

Highlights from the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting - Healio

Pediatrics

Career award to honor pediatric cardiologist Dr. Blanton Bessinger – Moultrie Observer

MOULTRIE The Colquitt County Career Achievement Award will be presented Tuesday, May 9, to a respected physician who was born in South Carolina but grew up in Moultrie.

F. Blanton Bessinger, MD, MBA, will speak at that evenings ceremony at the Arts Center of Moultrie, as well as during an event at Colquitt County High School.

Dr. Blanton Bessinger.

The Colquitt County Career Achievement Award was designed to laud people who graduated from the Colquitt County School System and went on to earn recognition on the world stage.

Bessinger was born in Columbia, S.C., on Dec. 4, 1940. He moved with his parents, Forrest and Melba Bessinger, to Moultrie in 1947, and he entered the second grade at Central Elementary School. He attended Moultrie Junior High School and Moultrie Senior High School, graduating in 1958.

In high school, he was a member of the Beta Club (academic recognition) and the M Club (varsity letters in baseball and basketball). At graduation, he received the Edgar Holmes, MD, trophy for top all-around male student.

He went to Emory University for college, and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa his junior year. After three years of college, he entered the Emory School of Medicine, receiving his M.D. degree in 1965. He was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha in his junior year, and he graduated summa cum laude.

His next step was pediatrics internship and residency at the University of Minnesota Hospitals in Minneapolis/St. Paul. He then went on active duty in the USAF Medical Corps from 1967-69. He was stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base and served as a pediatrician. Returning to the UM, he did a fellowship in pediatric cardiology, and, in 1971, began his academic career in the Pediatrics Department as an assistant professor. He was an active clinician, teacher, mentor to students and fellows, and a clinical researcher. He was the pediatric representative on several medical school committees, and was director of the cardiovascular curriculum for sophomore medical students.

In 1978, he moved from academia to private practice. In-hospital care was mainly at Minneapolis Childrens Medical Center. He was elected Chief of Staff at MCMC in 1982. He supported the pediatric residency training at the hospital with residents from the UM. With other professionals, he spearheaded quality efforts to improve care and improve the experience for families of hospitalized children.

In 1988 he reduced significantly his clinical practice, as he moved into medical management and became the Chief Medical Officer for St. Paul Childrens Hospital. While working full-time, he pursued and received his MBA degree from the Carlson School of Management at the UM in 1992.

Although both remained important, he became more involved in macro management of childrens health and development, different from the micro management of clinical care for a patient. He became deeply involved in child advocacy, joining various boards supporting children in the community. He was a founding member of Ready 4 K, and served as first chair for seven years. On the board were a former mayor and governor, business leaders, child care experts and others pushing a unified voice for the needs of this group in our society.

He was a ClearWay Minnesota director. This was an organization set up with funds from Minnesotas tobacco settlement. It was active in getting clean indoor air legislation, and it spent much effort to decrease and prevent use of tobacco products by teenagers.

Bessinger was an active member in the Minnesota Medical Association, serving as speaker of the House of Delegates in 1997 and

president in 1999. As a Minnesota delegate to the American Medical Association, he was elected to its Council on Constitution and Bylaws and served a total of eight years. He is a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Cardiology.

He has been a member of House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul for more than 50 years and was part of its governing boards for 30 years.

He has been a member of Midland Hills Country Club in St. Paul for 40 years, serving as president in 1999-2000.

He was a member of the Emory School of Medicine Alumni board for a period of years attending quarterly meetings in Atlanta.

Bessinger stated he feels privileged and grateful to have received recognition with the MMA Distinguished Service Award in 2007, the MnAAP Distinguished Service Award in 2010, and the Department of Pediatrics Gold Headed Cane Award in 2021 (a lifetime achievement award for his efforts in child advocacy).

At his retirement in 2003, the Childrens MN professional staff recognized him with the Blanton Bessinger Advocacy Award presented to a staff member annually. He has had the privilege of presenting it at the annual meeting.

Read more from the original source:

Career award to honor pediatric cardiologist Dr. Blanton Bessinger - Moultrie Observer

Pediatrics

How to support the breastfeeding parent – Contemporary Pediatrics

How to support the breastfeeding parent | Image Credit: Jnataliaderiabina - stock.adobe.com.

There are multiple tools that pediatricians can equip themselves with when to comes to supporting breastfeeding, according to a session presented at the 2023 Pediatric Academic Societies meeting held in Washington, DC.

Jennifer Zarit, MD, IBCLC, assistant professor at UPMC, Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh; Patricia Staley, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh; Kristin Hannibal, MD, clinical director of primary care center at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; and Mavis Britwum, DO, pediatric resident at UPMC Children's Hospital, sought to explain the process of breastmilk production, provide the benefits of breastfeeding, and know how to respond to questions about lactation in their presentation. They also aimed to explain hand expression of breastmilk to new parents and show the ideal latch and positioning of an infant for maternal comfort and optimal breastmilk transfer.

Zarit, Staley, Hannibal, and Britum began their presentation with a conversation about incorporating inclusive language when it comes to discussing breastfeeding. This includes the different terminology families prefer to use instead of the term breastfeeding, such as chestfeeding. Additionally, the presenters suggested using the term parent or person who gave birth instead of "mother" if the patient requests it.

They also touched on some of the benefits of breastfeeding mentioned by the presenters included immune system development and has shown a decrease in lower respiratory tract infections, acute otitis media, obesity, and diarrhea. There are also maternal benefits to breastfeeding such as a decrease in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, hypertension, as well as ovarian and breast cancer.

Despite these benefits to both mother and child, there are some situations when parents should avoid breastfeeding, including when maternal infections are present (HIV, herpes on the breast, and active tuberculosis), inborn errors of metabolism (such as galactosemia), and maternal exposure to drugs of abuse, medications, and environmental agents, according to the presentation. However, they mentioned that it is OK to breastfeed if the mother smokes, ingests CT/MRI contract, or is on opioid maintenance.

The presenters stressed that any amount of breastmilk is beneficial (however the range of benefits is dose-dependent), and while it is ideal that every baby be given 100% breastmilk, any breastmilk is considered good breastmilk. Any amount of breastmilk or any time spent breastfeeding will be beneficial for the mother and baby, said Zarit, Staley, Hannibal, and Britum.

Additionally, they provided 2022 updates to the American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Some of these updates include promoting exclusive breastfeeding for approximately 6 months of age as well as the continuation of breastfeeding along with the introduction of complementary foods after approximately 6 months. As for patients 2 years and older, the update recommends breastfeeding can continue if it is both desired by the mother and child.

The priority of the presentation was spent providing different case scenarios to the audience regarding what clinicians can do when a patient is breastfeeding, including:

The workshop presentation concluded with attendees partaking in a lactation simulation to provide examples of how to help patients breastfeed.

Reference:

Zarit J, Staley P, Hannibal K, Britwum M. Skills to support breastfeeding through simulation. Presented at:Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, April 27-May 1, Washington, DC.

See the original post:

How to support the breastfeeding parent - Contemporary Pediatrics

Pediatrics

Ask the Pediatrician: Why is it important to teach children about body … – Union Democrat

The statistics reported by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network are sobering: 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 20 boys will experience sexual abuse or sexual assault by the time they reach age 17.

The idea that anyone would sexually abuse a child is terrifying, especially for parents and caregivers. But like with any risk our children might face, we need to be able to empower them with information that will help them recognize unsafe situations.

Children and teens who feel in control of their bodies are less likely to fall prey to sexual abusers. And if they do suffer abuse, they are more likely to tell a trusted adult which can make all the difference in stopping the events and subsequently helping them recover from this painful experience.

Here are some tips to help parents teach their children about body boundaries and safety:

Use appropriate language. Teach children proper names for all body parts, including their genitals: penis, vagina, breasts and buttocks. Making up names for body parts may give the impression that they are bad or a secret and cannot be talked about. Also teach your child which parts are private. This includes the parts of their body that are covered by their swimsuit, as well as their mouth. These places should not be touched or looked at without their permission.

Evaluate your family's respect for modesty. Modesty isn't a concept most young children can fully grasp. But you can still lay a foundation for future discussions and model good social boundaries. If you have kids of various ages, for example, teach your younger children to give older siblings their privacy if they request it.

Don't force affection. Do not force or guilt your children to give hugs or kisses. It is OK for them to tell even grandma or grandpa that they do not want to give them a kiss or a hug goodbye. Teach your child alternate ways to show affection and respect without close physical touch (high-fives, thumbs-up, etc.) Reinforce that their body is theirs to control, a concept called body autonomy.

Explain OK vs. not-OK touches. An "OK touch" is a way for people to show they care for and help each other, like when caregivers help with bathing or toileting, or when doctors check to make sure their body is healthy. A "not OK touch" is one they don't like, hurts them, makes them feel uncomfortable, confused, scared or one that has anything to do with private parts.

Reinforce that people should respect each other. Discuss how it is never OK for anyone to look at or touch their private parts without their permission. At the same time, they should not look at or touch other people's bodies without their permission.

Give your children a solid rule about inappropriate touches. This will make it easier for them to recognize a not-OK touch if one happens and empower them to say no to these.

Remind your child to always tell you or another trusted grown-up if anyone ever touches their private parts or makes them feel uncomfortable in any way. Inappropriate touching especially by a trusted adult can be very confusing to a child. Reassure your children that you will listen to and believe them if they tell you about not-OK touches.

Control media exposure. Make a family media plan. Get to know the rating systems of video games, movies and television shows, and make use of parental controls available through many cellular, internet, cable and satellite providers. Providing appropriate alternatives is an important part of avoiding exposure to sexual content in the media. Be aware that children may see adult sexual behaviors in person or on screens and may not tell you that this has occurred.

Review this information regularly with your children. Some good times to talk to your children about personal safety are during bath time, bedtime, doctor visits and before any new situation. Children meet and interact with many different adults and children every day: at child care, sports practices, dance classes, camps and after-school programs, to name a few. Giving them tools to recognize and respond to uncomfortable situations is key.

Expect questions. The questions your child asks and the answers that are appropriate to give will depend on your child's age and ability to understand. It is always important to tell the truth.

Always let your child know you believe in them and will do everything you can to protect them from harm. Help them understand that they will not be in trouble for telling you about information that should not be kept secret. Empower them to tell another trusted adult if they are too uncomfortable telling you.

If you have any questions about ways to keep your child safe from harm, including sexual abuse, talk with your pediatrician.

More information is available at HealthyChildren.org.

ABOUT THE WRITER

Shalon Nienow, MD, FAAP, is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Child Abuse and Neglect Executive Committee. She is division director of child abuse pediatrics at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego. She also serves as medical director at the Chadwick Center for Children and Families and clinical director of child abuse pediatrics at UC San Diego School of Medicine. As a child abuse pediatrician, she provides medical evaluations for children who may have experienced any form of abuse or neglect.

2023 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Link:

Ask the Pediatrician: Why is it important to teach children about body ... - Union Democrat

Pediatrics

Outcomes of traumatic brain injury during pregnancy – Contemporary Pediatrics

Outcomes of traumatic brain injury during pregnancy | Image Credit: pressmaster - pressmaster - stock.adobe.com.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) during pregnancy leads to increased odds of cesarean section (CS), according to a recent study published in The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine.

Over 10 million people worldwide are affected by TBIs per year, often caused by falls, traffic accidents, and sports. Associations have been made between TBI and menstrual cycle disorders in fertile-aged women, with almost half of women reporting amenorrhea after TBI.

There is currently little understanding on the effects of TBI on pregnancy and delivery. However, TBI may cause elevation of intracranial pressure, which is associated with a decrease in functional capacity, lower cognition, and increased mortality risk.

During delivery, cerebrospinal fluid pressure increases in response to pain, potentially leading to risks associated with TBI shortly before childbirth. To determine the impact of TBI during pregnancy on pregnancy and delivery, investigators conducted a nationwide retrospective register-based matched cohort study.

Data was collected from the Care Register for Health Care and the National Medical Birth Register (MBR), both of which are maintained by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. The study period was between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2018.

Participants included women aged 15 to 49 years hospitalized with a TBI diagnosis. TBI was determined during a hospitalization period using International Classification of Diseases 10th revision codes.

TBI included concussion, traumatic cerebral edema, diffuse traumatic brain injury, focal traumatic brain injury, epidural hemorrhage, traumatic subdural hemorrhage, traumatic subdural hemorrhage, other specified intracranial injury, and unspecified intracranial injury.

MBR data included pregnancies, delivery statistics, and perinatal outcomes. Pregnancy dates and dates of TBI diagnosis were used to associate pregnancies with TBI. Multiple pregnancies were excluded from the analysis.

The sample contained 392 pregnancies with TBI and 722,497 pregnancies without TBI. Each patient with TBI pregnancy was matched with 3 non-TBI pregnancies, leading to 1176 matched pregnancies. Subgroup analysis measured effects based on the trimester of TBI.

A total 40,028 cases of TBI were recorded, 392 of which occurred during pregnancy. Concussion was the most common TBI reported, in 91.6% of patients, followed by diffuse traumatic brain injury in 2.8%, traumatic subdural hemorrhage in 1.8%, and unspecified intracranial injury in 1.5%.

Concussion was the only TBI reported in more than 5 cases. The incidence rate of TBI during pregnancy was 0.8 per 1000 pregnancies in 2016.

Compared to the reference group, women in the TBI group were younger, had increased smoking rates after the first trimester, lower rates of spontaneous vaginal birth, and higher rates of assisted vaginal, unplanned CS, and elected CS. The rate of emergency CS was 1.5% in the TBI group and 0.9% in the reference group.

When analyzing subgroups, pregnancies with TBI in the first trimester saw increased rates of induced labor compared to the reference group, while CS rates were higher in all TBI groups. The CS rate was especially higher in the TBI during third trimester group compared to the reference group.

Fetal outcomes did not occur between groups. For severe TBI, only 33 cases were recorded, with no difference in CS rate.

Overall, TBI was associated with increased odds of CS, especially during third trimester. Investigators recommended further studies on elective CS and reasons for unplanned CS among women with TBI during pregnancy.

Reference:

Vaajala M, Tarkiainen J, Liukkonen R, et al. Traumatic brain injury during pregnancy is associated with increased rate of cesarean section: a nationwide multi-register study in Finland. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine. 2023;36(1). doi:10.1080/14767058.2023.2203301

This article was initially published by our sister publication, Contemporary OB/GYN.

Read the original:

Outcomes of traumatic brain injury during pregnancy - Contemporary Pediatrics

Pediatrics

Extraordinary Pediatric Nurse Recognized at LRMC | News … – Williamson Daily News

LOGAN Tobie Porter, RN of Logan Regional Medical Center was honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses in April.

This prestigious award is given to nurses who demonstrate exceptional patient care and compassion. Awarded to nurses at LRMC throughout the year, the DAISY Award is part of the DAISY Foundations programs to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.

Although Tobie has just been at LRMC for a year and a half, he has made an incredible impact on both patients and staff, the hospital said in a release. His dedication to his patients is unwavering, and his compassion for their well-being is evident in all that he does. Tobie goes above and beyond to make sure his patients feel comfortable and cared for during their stay at the hospital.

Porter has been recognized by home health representatives, co-workers and patients but one story that stood out was a shout-out from a patients mother.

The post read, My boy is no stranger to hospital stays, passing by the hospital he makes sure to let us know that he doesnt like staying at the doctor motel!! Today he met an awesome nurse, Tobie, that helped ease his little mind and had him looking at the fish in the river. He has a love for fishing and this really helped.

Tobie has been a wonderful asset to Logan Regional Medical Centers pediatric unit, said Megan OBrien, Director of Womens Services and Pediatrics. Tobie has a special way with connecting with our small patients and easing their fears. He treats our young patients with so much respect he not only takes care of them, but takes time out to speak to them, to play with them, and to comfort them. He truly is a wonderful nurse.

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, CA, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 199 form complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients.

Nurses can be nominated by anyone who has been affected by their care patients, family members, other nurses, physicians, other clinicians, and staff anyone who has experience or observed extraordinary, compassionate care being provided by a nurse. Say thank you to a nurse and nominate for the DAISY Award by visitinghttps://www.loganregionalmedicalcenter.com/daisy-award.

Read the rest here:

Extraordinary Pediatric Nurse Recognized at LRMC | News ... - Williamson Daily News

Organic Chemistry

Biology and organic chemistry cause stress to pre-medical students – Daily Northwestern

Illustration by Lily Ogburn

For pre-medical students taking biology and organic chemistry at the same time, labs can take up as many as eight hours of their week.

Its a fate many pre-medical students at Northwestern cant avoid: taking biology and organic chemistry classes at the same time. The two-quarter sequence, which includes labs that can run between two and four hours each, leaves some students feeling emotionally and mentally drained.

Most students choose to take the combination during their sophomore year, though others can choose a different path. For Weinberg sophomore Tara Chen, who completed the sequence at the end of Winter Quarter, the combined course load proved difficult to manage.

Having it done is a huge relief, Chen said. It just really put a massive burden on my sophomore year, and I really did not get to enjoy my second year of college at all.

They said they had zero free time outside of studying, eating and sleeping during the first two quarters of the academic year, due in part to lengthy lab sections.

By the second quarter of the sequence, students typically take two four-hour labs in addition to their normal course work for the biology and organic chemistry classes. Chen said attending eight hours of lab each week in addition to studying took a toll on their mental health.

Chen skipped a Chem 215-2: Organic Chemistry II exam at one point during Winter Quarter due to panic attacks they had the night before. That week, they had two tests within 24 hours of each other, followed by a four hour lab and an additional lab report.

I would have had to do my lab report and study for the orgo exam after finishing studying for the bio exam, Chen said. It was just such a brutal combination that I ended up being like, I absolutely cannot do this right now.

Though their professor was accommodating and excused them from the exam when they procured a doctors note, Chen said some students may not have access to health professionals who are readily available to write such letters.

Weinberg freshman Ethan Lee is currently taking the biology and organic chemistry sequence and is set to finish it in Fall Quarter 2023. He said his organic chemistry professor treats the courses lab like a separate class with quizzes, midterms and finals of its own.

Even though Im only taking 3.3 units of credit, it feels like Im taking four, just because of the lab, Lee said.

He said he chose to take three classes a quarter, rather than four, while in the sequence, a time management technique he learned from older students on the pre-medical track. He plans to take two online classes this summer to keep up with his course plan, he said.

Lee said he manages the course load by utilizing resources like peer-guided study groups, office hours with professors and drop-in tutoring opportunities.

Weinberg sophomore Julie Paska, who completed the sequence in Winter Quarter, said she also utilized all the help she could find by staying after class to ask questions and setting up one-on-one meetings with professors. She said though the courses were difficult, she was able to do well by the end of the sequence.

You are learning how to interpret, analyze and utilize a whole new language of science while also balancing that with other classes at the same time, Paska said. That ends up being a little stressful, but I will say that its not completely impossible to do.

On a typical day while she was taking biology and organic chemistry courses, Paska would wake up at 6 or 7 a.m. and study until about 10 p.m. Then, she would wake up the next day and do the same thing.

Paska said while she worked herself too much in the fall, she had learned to prioritize her sleep by Winter Quarter.

I realized that you could study for all of these hours at a time, but youre not really actually going to acquire anything if youre not sleeping enough, Paska said.

Paska said enduring challenges the classes presented made her a more resilient student and taught her to take initiative on seeking support.

Now that shes no longer in the sequence, Paska said she is straight chilling.

I feel like I actually have time to do things non-academic and just spend time by myself or with friends, without fear or pressure, Paska said.

Email: [emailprotected]

Twitter: @sqpowers04

Related Stories:

SustainNU branch green practices to research labs

Students, faculty agree time management is key for four- to eight-hour lab sessions

Chemistry Prof. Stephanie Knezz champions inclusivity in STEM teaching

Read the rest here:

Biology and organic chemistry cause stress to pre-medical students - Daily Northwestern

Organic Chemistry

Student champions using tech for the greater good – Temple University News

In March 2020, Allyson Yu was in the midst of her first year as a Temple University student. She was settling in, enjoy her coursework and fully embracing the metropolitan setting that was one of the primary drivers behind her enrolling at Temple.

Then, without warning, the world shut down.

It was really, really hard for everyone. I had been looking for a city atmosphere and also a school that had a lot of different avenues to explore, and that is what brought me to Temple, said Yu, who is a native of Reading, Pa. But if there was one silver lining, this was what really started to introduce me to tech. Within days, we were able to seamlessly transition coursework to a virtual environment, and this showed me how technology really has the capability to help others.

This transition to remote learning ultimately led Yu, who was initially a biology and visual studies major, to change her major to Management Information Systems (MIS) where she has continued to explore how technology can improve the lives of others. Her undergraduate research project has focused on how institutions can improve learning environments for students with disabilities who choose to study in STEM-related fields, and even as student, she is already beginning to reap the benefits of her work.

Last year, Yu entered her research project Challenges and Opportunities in Creating An Accessible Web Application for Learning Organic Chemistry in the 24th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility, a conference held in Athens, Greece. Yu ended up earning first place in the undergraduate category of the conferences Student Research Competition.

The overarching idea of the project is looking at how can we remove barriers for students for students with disabilities in STEM fields, Yu said. What we have found is that students with disabilities show a high interest in STEM fields in high school but then it dissipates a bit in higher ed. So essentially, my project focused on first learning what students need for support and then developing a web application that can help in this regard.

The application that Yu helped develop was WebORA, a website that helps organic chemistry students learn by interacting with 3D molecular reactions. The project, which received the support of a Creative Arts Research and Scholarship (CARAS) grant from Temple, is somewhat of a full-circle moment for Yu as it represents the full genesis of her academic journey.

As a first-year student at Temple, Yu worked in Professor of Organic Chemistey Steven A Flemings lab, which was developing a 3D molecular application. That application served as springboard for WebORA, which was further informed and enriched thanks to Yu's user experience and web development coursework that she gained as an MIS student.

As part of her study, Yu surveyed more than 50 students who were taking an organic chemistry course, and 12 of those students took part in a usability tests via WebORA. Overall, the application was well received, though one of the recommendations of the study would be expand the app for additional STEM-related fields other than just organic chemistry.

This whole thing was just really fulfilling. I felt very proud of myself, too, and I think this is a cause that we need to spread more awareness of, Yu said. One thing that also came out of this is that I came to learn how much Temple already has in place. Temples Office of Disability Resources and Services (DRS) has so many resources available, and I am grateful to know that students who need support here will be able to find it thanks to DRS."

Follow this link:

Student champions using tech for the greater good - Temple University News

Organic Chemistry

Love of organic chemistry drives ASU graduate – ASU News Now

April 28, 2023

Editors note:This story is part of a series of profiles of notablespring2023 graduates.

When Lauren Harstad was attending Eldorado High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, she took AP biology. She fell in love with a section called biochemistry. However, she soon realized what she really liked was organic molecules and finding out how they work. Lauren Harstad is graduating with a double major in chemistry and biological sciences. Photo by Mary Zhu Download Full Image

A lot of biochemistry is just organic chemistry and biological systems, so pretty soon after I arrived at ASU I found out I didn't want to do the biochemistry part, and I switched to a chemistry major, Harstad said.

Harstad explained that Arizona State University is special in that first-year students are welcomed into professors labs to conduct research. She loves the fact that professors are willing to take on relatively inexperienced students.

Laurens ability to accomplish all she has while continuously demonstrating the highest level of approachability and professionalism has been nothing short of inspiring to everyone around her, said Assistant Professor Kyle Biegasiewicz from the School of Molecular Sciences. Lauren has been an integral part of our research program, and her commitment, determination and passion for science has made her a truly special undergraduate to mentor. We are so proud of her accomplishments and can't wait to see all of the wonderful things she does in her graduate and professional career."

Harstad, a Barrett, The Honors College student, is about to graduate with many accolades to her name. She is earning a Bachelor of Science with a double major in chemistry and biological sciences, with a minor in mathematics. Harstad was recently presented with the 2023 Distinguished Chemistry Merit Award. She won a prestigious Goldwater Scholarship in 2022, as well as the Edward B. Skibo Memorial Scholarship in 2021.

As president of the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society, Harstad was involved with chemistry demonstrations at ASU Homecoming, ASU Open Door and her school's Fall Welcome.

Question: What was your aha moment when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?

Answer: I had always been interested in science in high school, but I knew I wanted to pursue a career in chemistry soon after I began taking lab classes at ASU, and especially after beginning work in a research lab. I was really drawn to the problem-solving aspect of research, and organic chemistry in particular just clicked with me.

Q: Whats something you learned while at ASU in the classroom or otherwise that surprised you or changed your perspective?

A: Before going to college, I didnt realize how many career paths are opened up by a degree in the sciences. Chemistry is such a robust field full of exciting research, and it spans so many different industries beyond working in academia.

Q: Why did you choose ASU?

A: I chose ASU because of the focus on undergraduate research. I am very fortunate to have joined a research group during my first year at ASU, as this experience has been significant in encouraging me to attend graduate school and pursue a career as a research scientist.

Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?

A: My research advisor Professor Biegasiewicz has been instrumental in helping me to realize my passion for organic chemistry. He has taught me the importance of working hard to achieve my goals and is always pushing me to do my best.

Q: Whats the best piece of advice you would give to students?

A: Get involved in opportunities beyond the classroom, whether through research positions, internships or anything else you find interesting! Its easy to feel underqualified at first, especially if you dont have any experience in a certain field, but having a good work ethic and attitude is just as important in landing that first position.

Q: What was your favorite spot on campus, whether for studying, meeting friends or just thinking about life?

A: When I need to clear my head, I often go for a walk through the open space near the Biodesign Institute. The area is full of trees and desert plants that make it a peaceful place to gain some perspective.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: I will be pursuing a PhD in chemistry at Princeton University beginning this summer.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: I believe there is a need for more research focused on non-addictive forms of pain relief. The opioid epidemic is a problem that has affected so many families in the U.S., and I am hopeful that science will one day find a more promising alternative to these substances.

Go here to see the original:

Love of organic chemistry drives ASU graduate - ASU News Now

Organic Chemistry

Three elected to the National Academy of Sciences – Northwestern Now

Joining the company of some of historys most distinguished scientists, three Northwestern faculty members have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS).

Timothy K. Earle, Teri W. Odom and Richard B. Silverman have been recognized for their excellence and notable contributions to their field of science. They are among the 120 new members and 23 new international members selected this year.

Timothy K. Earle

Earle, professor emeritus in the department of anthropology, also previously served as department chair from 1995 to 2000. An economic anthropologist, Earles research is anchored by topics of social inequality, leadership and political economy with a proclivity for finding alternatives to centralized power. His quests to answer this have led him to conduct long-term archaeological research in Polynesia, South America and Europe to understand overlapping economic, warrior and religious powers in political organizations of premodern societies.

Earle has published many works including A Primer on Chiefs and Chiefdoms, Bronze Age Economics, and The Evolution of Human Societies: From Forager Group to Agrarian State.

Over the course of his career, Earles honors include the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of American Archaeology, the 2020 Felix Neubergh Prize in Archaeology from Gothenburg University, as well as being honored during the 2010 American Anthropological Society Annual Meeting.

Teri W. Odom

Odom is chair of the chemistry department, the Joan Husting Madden and William H. Madden, Jr. Professor of Chemistry and a professor of materials science and engineering. She is an expert in designing structured nanoscale materials with extraordinary size- and shape-dependent properties. These nanoscale materials have been applied to advances in nanomedicine, imaging, and nanophotonics.

Odoms NAS election follows numerous awards including the 2020 Royal Society of Chemistry Centenary Prize, the 2020 American Chemical Society Award in Surface Science, and the 2018 Research Corporation for Science Advancement Cottrell Scholar TREE Award.

Odom has also co-authored various notable publications including Multiscale Patterning of Plasmonic Metamaterials, Direct Observation of Nanoparticle-Cancer Cell Nucleus Interactions, and Lasing Action in Strongly Coupled Plasmonic Nanocavity Arrays.

Richard B. Silverman

The inaugural Patrick G. Ryan/Aon Professor in the chemistry department, Silverman focuses his research on central nervous system disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, and epilepsy, and on cancer, including melanoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, with the goal of developing pharmaceutical therapies.

He is the inventor of Lyrica, a breakthrough drug marketed by Pfizer for epilepsy, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain, as well as another drug treating a child with infantile spasms, a third drug in clinical trials for tuberous sclerosis and infantile spasms, and a fourth drug in IND review for ALS.

A highly decorated scientist, Silverman has earned numerous accolades such as the 2021 Tetrahedron Prize for Creativity in Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, elected Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and multiple awards from the American Chemical Society.

He has also authored and co-authored five significant books in his field, including The Organic Chemistry of Drug Design and Drug Action, now in its third edition, The Organic Chemistry of Enzyme-Catalyzed Reactions, and Mechanism-Based Enzyme Inactivation: Chemistry and Enzymology.

Read more:

Three elected to the National Academy of Sciences - Northwestern Now