College: Office of Research

Fall Advisory Board Meeting Focuses on Gratitude for the Past and Present, Excitement for the Future

Written by Peggy Reisser

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Clinical CareEducation
Photo of Laurie Powell and Chancellor Peter Buckley

During its fall meeting Friday, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s Advisory Board honored a vital partner in mental health care in Memphis, received exciting news about the fiscal year 2025 preliminary financial results, and heard an update on the new $350 million College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building proposed for the Memphis campus.   Chancellor Peter Buckley,… Read More

UT Health Science Center’s Liza Makowski, PhD, Helps Lead Global Conversation on GLP-1 Drugs and Cancer Risk

Written by Chris Green

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Research
Portrait of Dr. Liza Makowski

Blockbuster drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound have transformed obesity care for millions of Americans, making them some of the most talked-about medical breakthroughs of the decade. Yet several questions remain, including their long-term effects on cancer risk. A new commentary co-authored by Professor Liza Makowski, PhD, associate director for Education and Development in the… Read More

Rethinking Social Drinking: UT Health Science Center Researcher Explores Science Behind Social Influence on Alcohol Use

Written by Lee Ferguson

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Research
Headshot of Dr. Brendan Tunstall

When Brendan Tunstall, PhD, looks at the science of addiction, he sees something missing. “For all we’ve learned about the pharmacology and neurobiology of alcohol use disorder,” he said, “in preclinical behavioral research, historically, we’ve largely ignored one factor known to powerfully influence human behavior—other people.” Dr. Tunstall, assistant professor of Pharmacology in the College… Read More

‘We Are Family’: Fourth Annual Family Campaign Reaches Goal

Written by Aimee C. McMillin

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Education
Photo of employees at the Family Campaign celebration

As the 2025 UT Health Science Center Family Campaign ends, campaign leaders say the effort is about far more than fundraising. “Family Campaign is about unity, pride, and investing in the community and resources that make UT Health Science Center thrive,” said Vice Chancellor for Advancement Brigitte Grant. “It takes all of us to advance… Read More

New Statewide Effort Aims to Tackle Cancer Crisis

Written by Lee Ferguson

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Clinical CareEducationPublic ServiceResearch
Photo of a researcher in a cancer lab.

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center will host the inaugural Tennessee Statewide Cancer Collaborative on October 29–30, 2025, at the Hutton Hotel in Nashville. The two-day conference aims to unite researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to chart a path toward a stronger, more coordinated statewide cancer strategy. With the theme “Advancing Cancer Research Across Tennessee,”… Read More

Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, PhD, Named Executive Director of UT Health Science Center Research Core Labs

Written by Lee Ferguson

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Research
Headshot of Dr. Elizabeth Fitzpatrick

The Office of Research has named Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, PhD, as executive director of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s research core laboratories, effective September 19, 2025. A long-time leader in research infrastructure, Dr. Fitzpatrick is a professor in the College of Medicine’s Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, associate director of the Regional Biocontainment… Read More

Powering the Future of Kidney Care: Researcher Secures $3 Million to Unlock Mitochondrial Therapy for Acute Kidney Injury

Written by Lee Ferguson

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Research
Headshot of Dr. Aman Bajwa

Every moment, millions of mitochondria, the tiny power plants fueling our cells, keep us alive. When they fail, organs begin to shut down. For patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), this failure can strike suddenly, causing life-threatening damage with little warning and no effective treatment. Aman Bajwa, PhD, professor and leading researcher in the Department… Read More

College of Pharmacy’s First Fulbright Scholar Innovates Cancer Treatment Through Synthetic Chemistry

Written by Nathan Ball

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Research
Photo of Dr. Michio Kurosu in the lab

During his postdoctoral studies at Harvard University, Michio Kurosu, PhD, was deeply inspired by his mentor, Yoshito Kishi, PhD, a former chemistry professor and a pioneer of organic synthesis, who passed away in 2023. Dr. Kishi’s groundbreaking work with complex compounds has significantly advanced the field of medicinal chemistry. “Dr. Kishi taught me how synthetic… Read More