College: Office of Research

Cardiovascular Risk Higher for Individuals with Sickle Cell Trait, Study Led by UT Health Science Center Physician Concludes

Written by Peggy Reisser

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Clinical CareResearch
Headshot of Dr. Ugochi Ogu

African Americans with sickle cell trait (SCT) have 39% higher odds of acute heart failure compared to non-African Americans with SCT, according to a study led by Ugochi Ogu, MD, associate professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and the medical director of the Diggs-Kraus Comprehensive Sickle Cell… Read More

Dr. Mary Patton Awarded $747K Grant to Study Why Motivation Fades in Mental Illness

Written by Lee Ferguson

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Research
Headshot of Dr. Mary Patton

Mary Patton, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, has received a $747,000 grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to study why people with certain mental illnesses lose motivation and how that can be treated. The project focuses on a common… Read More

Thriving in the Face of Time: Dr. Stephen Alway’s Pursuit of Healthier Aging

Written by Lee Ferguson

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Research
Portrait of Dr. Stephen Alway

Stephen Alway, PhD, has dedicated his career to unraveling the mysteries of sarcopenia, the age-related degeneration of muscle mass and strength. A professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and the Department of Physiology, and the director of the Center for Muscle, Metabolism, and Neuropathology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, his work… Read More

PhD Candidate Receives Major Grant from National Cancer Institute for Gut Microbiome-Breast Cancer Research

Written by Lee Ferguson

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Research
Portrait of Margaret Bohm

Margaret S. Bohm, a doctoral candidate from the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, has received a $130,000 grant from the National Cancer Institute to fund her research on how manipulating the gut microbiome might delay the onset and improve treatment of breast cancer, particularly in the… Read More

Outstanding Higher Education Leader Named Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications and Marketing

Written by Peggy Reisser

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Clinical CareEducationResearch
Portrait of Karla Leeper

After an extensive nationwide search, Karla Leeper, PhD, MBA, MA, a highly accomplished communicator with decades of leadership experience in higher education and health care, has been named the new vice chancellor for Strategic Communications and Marketing at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She will join the university July 7. Dr. Leeper has… Read More

Advisory Board Recommends Approval of FY26 Budget Proposal

Written by Peggy Reisser

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Clinical CareEducationPublic ServiceResearch
Photo of Raaj Kurapati speaking

During its spring meeting Friday, May 9, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s Advisory Board unanimously approved a $711.3 million balanced budget proposal for FY 2026, which will now go as a recommendation to the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees at its meeting in June. The board also recognized the university’s vital 10-year clinical… Read More

Donors Rally for Cancer Research in Record-Breaking UT Health Science Center Giving Day

Written by Christopher Green

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Clinical CareEducationPublic ServiceResearch
Photo of a researcher with the Giving Day logo

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center marked its most successful Giving Day yet on Tuesday, April 29, surpassing fundraising and participation goals and highlighting the strength of its community of supporters. This year’s Giving Day brought in a record-breaking $956,246 from 1,361 donors – well beyond the goal of 1,250 donors and nearly $300,000… Read More

College of Graduate Health Sciences Celebrates Research and Achievement at Annual Graduate Research Day

Written by Lee Ferguson

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EducationResearch
Photo of Dean Thomason and Margaret Bohm

On Friday, April 25, the College of Graduate Health Sciences hosted its annual Graduate Research Day and Awards Ceremony, celebrating a year of outstanding research and academic achievement. The event featured morning and afternoon platform presentations, poster sessions, and an awards ceremony recognizing excellence across the college. During the poster competition, students presented and discussed… Read More