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Clinical ResearchThe members of the Division are actively engaged in research in a variety of fields. Research CoordinatorsMs. Shelley Greenhaus, RN, MPHResearch areas: Diabetes, Cholesterol and Obesity Studies. Tel: 732-235-7751, Fax: 732-235-9072 Cholesterol StudiesWe are currently studying new drug therapies for the treatment of high cholesterol levels. These studies are open to individuals over the age of 18 with high cholesterol levels, whether or not they are currently being treated. Studies require some morning visits to New Brunswick campus. Tests and medications directly related to the studies are provided free of charge. Monetary compensation is provided for participation. If you or someone you know is interested in participating in such a study. Treatment of Diabetes, Lipids and ObesityWe are studying a number of new oral agents that act to improve the body’s response to insulin and improve lipid abnormalities that contribute to premature heart disease in diabetes. We have been active in the development of newer insulin with a more convenient and effective time course of action for patients and are involved in the development of inhaled insulin therapy with the potential to reduce the need for insulin injections. We are also concerned about treating the complications of diabetes. Currently we are overseeing the largest study of sexual dysfunction in men and women with diabetes in the U.S. We are also evaluating new drugs to be used in the treatment of diabetes, nerve and kidney diseases. In addition to an interest in diabetes, we have ongoing studies in utilizing new agents to treat elevated cholesterol. We are also involved in initial studies of new agents for the prevention and treatment of obesity. If you or someone you know might be interested in these studies, contact: Ms Shelley Greenhaus at 732-235-7751 or by e-mail: greenhsm@umdnj.edu, leaving your name and a phone number where you can be reached during the day. Osteoporosis StudiesThe NOVEL Clinical Study Group (Figure). Details for the National Institutes of Health funded osteoporosis clinical study is illustrated in the study web page http://www2.umdnj.edu/novelweb/NOVEL. This clinical study examines a novel hypothesis of using a nitric oxide donor and nitroglycerin as a therapeutic agent for the prevention of postmenopausal bone loss. Ms. Genevieve Rojo, RNResearch Study Coordinator: Metabolic bone diseases, osteoporosis and fracture prevention. If you or someone you know is interested in participating in any of these clinical studies, please contact Ms. Rojo at Tel: 732-235-6639 or, 732-235-7871, Fax 732-235-6656 email: rojogf@umdnj.edu These activities are funded by various national agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, as well as from industry. Many research protocols provide extensive medical evaluation and treatment free of charge. Currently, clinical protocols are ongoing in the area of:
If you are interested in participating in a clinical protocol or simply would like more information, please call our nurse coordinators (see above). Research activities consist of both basic science and clinical trials. The latter involve areas of metabolic disorders, sexual dysfunction in male and female patients; effects of aldose reductase in diabetic neuropathy; development of new agents that directly inhibit the transport of cholesterol in the intestine; the effects of glucosamine on glucose metabolism; the development of new insulin administration and glucose monitoring devices; the use of inhibitors of non-enzymatic glycosylation inhibitors to prevent diabetic nephropathy; and the metabolic effects of dual alpha and gamma PPAR stimulators. Nora Cosgrove, RNMs Cosgrove is the Head Nurse for Clinical Research in the Department of Medicine. She also supervises some of the clinical studies conducted in the Division of Endocrinology. She has several years of experience in both federally funded and industry-funded clinical research. Ms. Cosgrove can be contacted at 732-235-6546. Eileen Duffy, Research PharmacistMs. Duffy is the senior research pharmacist for Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Ms. Duffy takes care of most of the medications related to the clinical studies including the National Institute of Health (NIH) funding NOVEL study http://www2.umdnj.edu/novelweb/NOVEL in the Endocrinology Division. She can be contacted at Tel. 732-235-6245. Alan Wilson, PhDDr. Wilson is a statistician and statistical analyst, in the Department of medicine. He also assists clinical research protocol and data analysis of clinical studies n the Division of Endocrinology. He can be contacted at 732-235-7857. Kristina DemshockMs. Demshock is a Senior Clerk who is involved with several clinical studies, including the National Institutes of Health sponsored - NOVEL study. http://www2.umdnj.edu/novelweb/NOVEL. She can be contact at 732-235-7871, Fax: 732-235-8722. Dhishani DeSilva, MSMs. DeSilva is a Data Manager who is involved with supervising the recruitment of staff for several clinical trials and coordinating the study activities such as regulatory, recruitment and enrollment. She also assists in protocol development; data management and advertising materials for NIH funded projects – NOVEL study. http://www2.umdnj.edu/novelweb/NOVEL. She can be contact at 732-235-7871, Fax: 732-235-8722. Other Clinic Staff MembersGloria Rada, LPN (Clinic Nurse)Ms. Rada is the LPN who provides nursing services in the clinics. She can be contacted at 732-235-7210; Fax: 732-235-8610. John Hicks (LPN)Mr. Hicksis the clinical nurse (LPN) of the Division in charge of clinical activity. She can be contacted at 732-235-7210; Fax: 732-235-8610. Antoinette Unger (Senior, Principal Clerk)Ms. Unger is a clinic clerical coordinator involved with scheduling appointments and processing clerical data. She can be contacted at 732-235-7210, Fax: 732-235-8610. Lourdes Marrero (Radiology Technician)Ms. Marrero is a certified DXA (dual emergency x-ray densitometry) and ultrasound technologist who performs studies in patients with osteoporosis and metabolic bone disorders. To schedule a DXA Bone density appointment, please contact Tel: 732-235-6639, Fax: 732-235-6656. Nancy Bardecker (Front desk Manager)Ms. Bardecker is the front desk manager who is responsible for making outpatient appointments. She can be contacted at Tel: 732-235-7222/6352. Basic ResearchBasic research consists of the role of lipoprotein modification in altering their metabolism, nitric oxide as a therapeutic agent in osteoporosis and aldose reductase inhibition in diabetic neuropathy. The following three laboratories have been established under the leadership of Dr. Sunil Wimalawansa:
Gayathri Kulkarni, PhDDr. Kulkarni is a Research Teaching Specialist and Director of the Immunoassay Center located in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition. Her research focus is on Complementary and Alternate Medicine applied to metabolic bone diseases. Under the direction of Dr. Wimalawansa, she is involved in the laboratory analysis and data handling of NOVEL and other clinical studies including those related to sexual dysfunction in males and females. She is also collaborating in research studies with members of other divisions such as Cardiology (e.g., inflammatory mediators in angioplasty procedures). She has received the Best Teacher Award from the British Council, Research Teaching Fellowship Award from UGC, India, and Merck Fellow Award in Clinical Pharmacology in the past. She has published papers in peer-reviewed journals in the area of molecular biology and biochemistry. Chandana Herath, PhDDr. Chandana Herath is a Research Teaching Specialist and the Director of the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Laboratories in the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine. Dr. Herath earned his PhD from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium in the biotechnology field. Under the guidance of Dr. Wimalalwansa,his research on osteoporosis includes: effect of aging on bone turnover, age related mitochondrial dysfunction in bone cells and the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in oxidative stress-induced and age-related osteoporosis. His research interests in cardiovascular diseases include: cell identification of the cellular process that regulates proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) of hypertensive rat models, signaling in VSMC of hypertensive rat models and contribution of sphingosine-1-phosphate on proliferation of VSMC. Dr. Herath’s research expertise include: molecular biology methods, epi fluorescent microscopy analysis of mitochondria morphology, activity, flowcytometric analysis of bone cell proliferation and bone cell mitochondria activity analysis, mitochondria genome expression analysis genetic engineering methodologies, microbial culture methods.
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