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PSEF Funded Program Recipients

The Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of 2008 PSEF funded research programs.

2008 PSEF Research Fellow

Jason Ko, MDJason Ko, MD – PSEF Research Fellow

  • Refinements in Targeted Reinnervation and Its Effects on Neuroma Formation
  • Northwestern University
  • Sponsor: Gregory A. Dumanian, MD

Dr. Ko received his undergraduate degree in Economics with a Minors in Philosophy and Chemistry at Duke University in Durham, NC, after which he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to teach English in Korea. Following his year in Korea, Dr. Ko completed his medical degree at the Duke University School of Medicine, during which time he served as a research assistant in a number of studies, as well as a fellow in the Frank Hawkins Kenan Plastic Surgery Research Laboratory.

During this research year in medical school, Dr. Ko was awarded a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Fellowship to extend his research evaluating the effects of angiogenesis inhibitors on wound healing in a mouse model. In addition to his basic science research experience, Dr. Ko was also heavily involved with research regarding medical ethics at Duke University.

As a current resident in the integrated Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery program at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL, and as the 2008 Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation (PSEF) Research Fellow, Dr. Ko will work under the supervision of Gregory A. Dumanian, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery and Program Director in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Northwestern University.

Dr. Ko will perform human cadaver and animal research to help refine Targeted Reinnervation (TR)—a novel strategy to achieve a functioning neural-machine interface that allows amputees to voluntarily control their motorized prosthetic limbs much as they would control their native limbs—and to investigate the utility of TR as a way to prevent or treat the formation of painful neuromas. Dr. Ko’s interests in reconstructive surgery and peripheral nerve surgery made his decision to pursue research on TR an easy one.

During his early years as a resident, Dr. Ko saw firsthand the difference that TR can make in the lives of amputees, which is becoming all the more relevant as an increasing number of soldiers return from Iraq and Afghanistan having suffered from blast amputations. Dr. Ko sees TR as an innovative strategy that represents the power of translational research—the concepts behind TR are based on animal research originally performed by Todd Kuiken, MD, PhD, who is Dr. Ko’s co-Principle Investigator at Northwestern University and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC)—which may help to explain the media attention that TR has received in recent years on CNN, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and in The New Yorker, amongst others. However, as revolutionary and successful as TR has proven to be, there are still many unanswered questions, and the goal of Dr. Ko’s research is to improve upon current TR modalities and to utilize TR as a potentially novel treatment for painful neuromas.

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2008 PSEF/Fresh Start Research Fellow

Howard Levinson, MDHoward Levinson, MD – PSEF/Fresh Start Research Fellow

  • Scar Contracture Prevention By Inhibition of Cell Contractility
  • Duke University Medical Center
  • Sponsor: L. Scott Levin, MD, FACS

Dr. Levinson obtained his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX. and subsequently completed a General Surgery residency at Brookdale University Hospital. During his General Surgery training, he spent 3-years in Wound Healing research fellowships (1 year with Michael T Longaker, MD, MBA and 2 years with H Paul Ehrlich, PhD).

Dr Levinson is currently a chief resident in the Division of Plastic, Reconstructive, Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery at Duke University Medical Center. Throughout his training he has garnered numerous research awards and fellowships. Beginning July, 2008 Dr Levinson will join the faculty of the Duke University Medical Center Division as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Department of Pathology. He will begin his 2008 Fresh Start Research Fellowship under the supervision of L. Scott Levin, MD, Chief, Division of Plastic, Reconstructive, Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery at Duke University.

Dr. Levinson intends to investigate the hypothesis that scar contracture is caused by cell contractility. His research will focus on identifying which of the multiple well-known contractile signaling agonists contribute to tissue remodeling and understanding how these pathways are regulated. With the support of the Fresh Start Research Fellowship, he hopes to fulfill his long term goal to develop a drug that will inhibit scar contracture formation.

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2008 PSEF/AAO-HNSF Research Grant Award Recipient

Richard Gurgel, MDRichard Gurgel, MD

  • Contribution of Merlin Inactivation in Facial Nerve Schwann Cell Regeneration
  • The University of Iowa
  • Sponsor: John W. Canady, MS, MD, FACS, FAAP

Dr. Gurgel began his residency in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Iowa after obtaining his medical degree from the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, UT. Dr. Gurgel received numerous awards and recognition throughout his training. He will begin his 2008 PSEF/AAO-HNSF Research Grant under the supervision of John W. Canady, MD, Professor, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Dr. Marlan Hansen, Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Iowa.

With the support of the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation (PSEF) and American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF), Dr. Gurgel will perform research to elucidate the molecular events that control the response of peripheral nerve Schwann cells to injury. This research may well lead to novel methods to enhance nerve regeneration. Specifically, the research aims to use in vivo and in vitro models to define the essential step of Merlin phosphorylation by Protein Kinase A in promoting facial nerve Schwann cell proliferation following loss of axonal contact.

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2008 PSEF/KCI Wound Care Fellowship Award Recipient

Douglas Helm, MDDouglas Helm, MD

  • Investigation of Mechanical Forces on Wound Healing Angiogenesis

  • Brigham and Women’s Hospital

  • Sponsor: Dennis P. Orgill, MD, PhD

Dr. Helm received his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Columbia University. After completing his medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, he began his residency in the Department of Surgery at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. His prior research experience has included a combination of basic science and clinical research.

He will begin his 2008 PSEF/KCI Wound Care Fellowship under the supervision of Dennis P. Orgill, MD, Associate Chief, Division of Plastic Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Helm will be spending two years time in Dr. Orgill’s Tissue Engineering and Wound Healing Lab at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. With the surge in the prevalence of diabetes and in the number of chronic, non-healing wounds due to an aging population, wound care currently poses a central public health problem.

During his Fellowship, Dr. Helm will perform research to shed further light on the role of mechanical force in stimulating angiogenesis in a diabetic murine model. The proposed work is inspired by the clinical use of the Vacuum Assisted Closure Device (VAC). The project will focus on delineating how localized mechanical forces stimulate wound healing using temporal force patterns as opposed to a static force application to further improve upon the Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) system for wound healing. Support of this project is provided by the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation (PSEF) and KCI.

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PSEF/AAPS Academic Scholar Award Recipient

The PSEF/AAPS Academic Scholar Award is a two-year faculty research scholarship for surgeons entering academic careers in plastic and reconstructive surgery. The goal of the program is to assist a plastic surgeon in the establishment of a new and independent research program.

Stephen M. Warren, MDStephen M. Warren, MD

  • Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, New York University
  • Lineage-Enriched Precursor Cell Co-Culture for Exogenous and Endogenous Vascularized Bone Engineering

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2008 National Endowment for Plastic Surgery Award Recipients

The National Endowment for Plastic Surgery was established in 1994 as a specialty wide cooperative undertaking to assure the future of Plastic Surgery. The purpose of the Endowment is to support research and development of projects which address clinically relevant and immediate issues facing the practice of Plastic Surgery. 

J. Peter Rubin, MD

  • University of Pittsburgh
  • Project: Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Therapy to Enhance Wound Healing

Colleen McCarthy, MD

  • Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
  • Project: Development of an Interactive, Mutli-media Educational Program to Address Patient Expectations about Breast Reconstruction

Michael Longaker, MD

  • Stanford University
  • Project: Enhancement of Bone Regeneration by Enrichment for Osteoprogenitors from Human Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells

Stefan Schneeberger, MD

  • University of Pittsburgh
  • Project: Inhibition of Skin Refection in Composite Tissue Allotransplantation by using Migratory Inhibitors for Topical Immunosuppression

David Mathes, MD

  • University of Washington
  • Project: Immune Tolerance for Surgical Transplantation of the Hand or Face

Maria Siemionow, MD

  • Cleveland Clinic
  • Project: Cellular Therapy with Tolerogenic Cells in Face Transplant Model

Kia McLean Washington, MD

  • University of Pittsburgh
  • Project: Improving Somatosensory Cortical Response Properties after Composite Tissue Transplantation

Howard Wang, MD

  • University of Texas, San Antonio
  • Project: Neovascularization of Bony Constructs Using Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells

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2008 PSEF Basic Research Grant Award Recipients

The PSEF Basic Research Grant is designed to promote plastic surgery innovation in the area of basic science research. The grants provided are seed grants, intended to allow researchers to begin working on basic science research projects related to plastic surgery medicine. By over doubling funding to this program in 2008, the PSEF has made a strong commitment to support new investigators and future innovations that will drive Plastic Surgery Practice into the future.

The 2008 Basic Research Grants, whose investigators each received a monetary award of $5,000, focus on several innovative research paths, and will be conducted in the following laboratories.

Paul N. Afrooz, MD

  • University of Pittsburgh
  • Project: The Effects of Carbamylated Erythropoietin on Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

Robert J. Allen, MD

  • New York University Medical Center
  • Project: Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Diabetic Wound Healing

Alexander Allori, MD

  • New York University Medical Center
  • Project: Formation of Osteoblastic Meaningful Networks in 3D Dynamic Cell Culture

Tomer Avraham, MD

  • Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
  • Project: Blockade of TGF-B1 Signal to Improve Lymphatic Regeneration

Kirit Bhatt, MD

  • Stanford University
  • Project: Molecular Mechanisms of Vascular Dysfunction in Diabetes

James Bradley, MD

  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • Project: Alloderm-Adipose Derived Stem Cell Constructs to Optimize Cleft Palate and Oronasal Fistula Healing

Edward P. Buchanan, MD

  • Stanford University
  • Project: Determining the Mechanism of Scarless Wound Healing

Nadja K. Burns, MD

  • University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
  • Project: Outcomes of Non-Cross Linked Porcine vs Human Acellular Dermal Matrices for Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

Charles E. Butler, MD

  • University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
  • Project: Adipose Derived Stem Cells for Enhanced Fibrovascular Integration of Acellular Dermal Matrix-Based Ventral Hernia Repair

Chris Campbell, MD

  • University of Virginia
  • Project: Case-Matched Analysis of Fibroblast Function in Patients with Keloids

Ernest Chiu, MD

  • Tulane University Health Sciences Center
  • Project: Adipocyte Derived Stem Cells in Breast Conservation Therapy: Potential Impact on Breast Cancer Regression

Gregory M. Cooper, MD

  • University of Pittsburgh
  • Project: Rescue of Coronal Suture Fusion Using Flutamide

Brent M. Egeland, MD

  • University of Michigan
  • Project: Development of a Novel Bio-Integrated Peripheral Nervous System Interface

Alero Fregene, MD

  • University of Michigan
  • Project: Quantitative Analysis of Radiation Induced Injury to the Mandible

Arin K. Greene, MD

  • Children’s Hospital of Boston
  • Project: Calvarial Particulate Bone Graft for Craniofacial Augmentation

Navanjun S. Grewal, MD

  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • Project: Primary Alveolar Cleft Healing after Gingivoperiosteoplasty and rhBMP-2.

Mazen S. Harake, MD

  • University of Michigan
  • Project: Tissue Engineering of Incisional Hernia Repair Using Acellular Myofascial Construct

Stephen L. Harlin, MD

  • Drexel University
  • Project: Culturing the Non-Culturable: The Secret Pathogens of Chronic Wounds

Alexes Hazen, MD

  • New York University
  • Project: The Effects of Graded Densities of Lipoaspirate on Fat Graft

Scott T. Hollenbeck, MD

  • Duke University
  • Project: Temporal Dynamics of Integrin Expression in Human Adipose Derived Stem Cells

Gregory Lakin, MD

  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Project: Influence of Mechanical Stress on Muenke Syndrome Craniosynostosis

Lily F. Lee, MD

  • University of Southern California
  • Project: Role of MMP-9 in Wound Healing

Eric C. Liao, MD

  • Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Project: Analysis of IRF6 Transcription Factor in Vertebrate Craniofacial Development

David W. Mathes, MD

  • University of Washington
  • Project: Facial Subunits for Composite Tissue Transplantation

Matthew McRae, MD

  • Yale School of Medicine
  • Project: Spitzoid Nevi Versus Melanoma by Cellular Gp100, Nedd9 and Gab2

Melissa E. Melvin, MD

  • University of Michigan
  • Project: The Influence of Innervation on Tissue Engineered Muscle Fiber Type

Phuong D. Nguyen, MD

  • New York University
  • Project: Prevention of Radiation Skin Fibrosis by K/O of MMP-2, -9

Russell R. Reid, MD

  • University of Chicago
  • Project: Differential Effects of hTERT and BMP on Bone Healing in Murine Models

Shawkat Sati, MD

  • Lahey Clinic
  • Project: In Utero Gene Therapy Repair of Cleft Palate in a Congenital Caprine Model

Jason Spector, MD

  • Weill Cornell Medical College
  • Project: PEG-pDHA Hydrogrels: A Novel Topical Hemostatic Agent

Christopher Spock, MD

  • Yale University
  • Project: Micro-RNA and Classification of Hemangiomas

Jignesh Unadkat, MD

  • University of Pittsburgh
  • Project: A New Protocol for Tolerance Induction to Composite Tissue Allotransplantation

Xiao-Xia Wang, MD

  • New York University
  • Project: Effect of SiRNA against Noggin in Healing Calvarial Defects

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2008 Scientific Essay Contest Award Winners

The Scientific Essay Contest recognizes the authors of essays or articles that address timely and important plastic surgery topics. To encourage general understanding of issues impacting the practice of plastic surgery, essays and articles submitted to the Scientific Essay Contest are written to communicate to a broad audience. The Contest is comprised of four categories which include: basic science research, clinical research, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, and the theory, history, ethics or socio-economic issues in the art and science of plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Gedge David Rosson, MD

  • “Human Experimental and Clinical Evidence Supporting Tibial Nerve Decompression in the Medial and Lateral Plantar Tunnels”
  • Clinical Research – Junior Category

Julia K. Terzis, MD, PhD

  • “Our Experience with Mini-Temporalis in Facial Reanimation”
  • Clinical Research – Senior Category

Christina K. Magill, MD

  • “New Tools for Solving Old Puzzles: The Use of Transgenic Models in Peripheral Nerve Research”
  • First Place – Investigator Category

Clarence D. Lin, MD

  • “Topical Lineage-Negative Progenitor-Cell Therpay for Diabetic Wounds”
  • Second Place – Investigator Category

Devin Coon, MD

  • “The Role of Body Mass in Body Contouring Complications: Prospective Analysis of 511 Cases”
  • Third Place – Investigator Category

Matthew C. Camp, MD

  • “Mapping the Future of Plastic Surgery”
  • Art and Science Category

J. Peter Rubin, MD

  • “Hematopoietic Potential of Adipose Derived Stem Cells: Implications for New Clinical Therapies”
  • Basic Science – Senior Category

Special thanks to Bernard G. Sarnat, MD, sponsor of the Basic Science Category, and the D. Ralph Millard Plastic Surgical Society, sponsor of the Investigator Category.

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All Materials 2008 ASPS/PSEF