Research Training Clinicians & Basic Scientists

The Burn and Shock Trauma Institute provides research training for clinicians from many different specialties, including surgery, anesthesiology, otolaryngology, neonatology, dentistry, pulmonology, and rheumatology.  The Institute research programs are applicable to many additional specialties, as well.  Each trainee works under the guidance of a primary mentor, but has the benefit of participation in all Institute activities.  Funding for trainee salaries and research comes from extramural grants or from our NIH Training Grant.  The faculty welcome inquiries from interested clinicians who desire focused research training.

Research Trainees

Todd Abram Baker, M.D. Degrees: B.A. University of Colorado, Boulder, M.D. Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine Residency: Loyola University Medical Center Research: 2009 to date. Ubiquitin proteosome system and acute inflammatory response to injury Mentor: Matthias Majetschak, M.D., Ph.D Funding Source: NIH T32 Training in Trauma and Burn Research M.S. Program: 2009 to date. Clinical Research Methods, Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine email: tbaker@lumc.edu

Michael Hurtuk, M.D. Degrees:  B.S., Biology and Biochemistry, Loyola University Chicago; M.D., Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine  Residency:  Loyola University Medical Center  Research:  2008 to date. Pathogen - host interactions in sepsis Mentor:  Drs. Ravi Shankar and Richard Gamelli Funding Source:  Falk Medical Research Trust M.S. Program:  2008 to date.  Clinical Research Methods, Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine email:  mhurtuk@lumc.edu

Joseph Posluszny,  M.D. Degrees: BA, University of Chicago; M.D., University of  North Carolina Residency:  Case Western Reserve University Research: 2008 to date.  Adrenergic modification of hematopoietic stem cells Mentor:  Drs. Gamelli, Shankar, and Muthu Funding Source:  NIH T32 Training in Trauma and Burn Research email:  jposluszny@lumc.edu

Areck Ucuzian, M.D. Degrees: B.A., Cornell University; M.D., Tufts University School of Medicine Residency:  Loyola University Medical Center Research: 2006 to date.  Biologic and mechanical mediators of vascular cell interactions during angiogenesis for tissue engineering. Mentor:  Dr. Howard Greisler Funding Source:  Falk Medical Research Trust Ph.D. Program:  2007 to date.  Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine. email:  aucuzian@lumc.edu

David Yonick,  M.D. Degrees: B.S., University of  Michigan; M.D., Medical University of Ohio at Toledo Residency:  General Surgery Residency -Loyola University Medical Center Research: 2008 to 2010;  Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Fracture Repair Mentors:  Drs. John Callaci and  Ravi Shankar Funding Source:  Falk Medical Research Trust email:  dyonick@lumc.edu

Former Research Trainees

Gerard Abood, M.S., M.D. Degress: B.S., John Carroll University; M.D., Ohio State University College of Medicine & Public Health Residency:  Loyola University Medical Center Research: 2005 to 2007.  The role of STA in wound healing and skin disease Mentor:  Dr. Brian Nickloff Funding Source:  NIH T32 Training in Trauma and Burn Research Masters Program:  2005 to 2007.  M.S., Clinical Research Methods.  Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine email:  gabood@lumc.edu

Joslyn Albright,  M.D. Degrees: B.A., Augustana College, Rock Island, IL, M.D., University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Lexington, KY Residency:  Loyola University Medical Center Research: 2007 to 2009.  Alcohol, Injury and the Lung Mentor:  Drs. Elizabeth Kovacs and Carol Schermer Funding Source:  NIH T32 Training in Trauma and Burn Research M.S. Program:  2007 to 2009.  Clinical Research Methods, Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine email:  jalbright@lumc.edu

Luke P. Brewster, M.S., M.D., Ph.D. Degrees: B.A., Benedictine College, Atchison, KS; M.D.  Saint Louis University; Ph.D., Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Loyola University Medical Center Residency:   Loyola University Medical Center Research:  2003-2006.  Vascular healing through novel growth factors and delivery vehicles Mentor:  Dr. Howard Greisler Funding Source:  NIH F32 HL078151 Ph.D. Program:  2006.  Construction and characterization of a thrombin resistant FGF-1 mutant-collagen binding domain chimera (R136K-CBD).  Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine Masters Program:  2006.  M.A. Bioethics and Health Policy from the Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine email:  lbrewst@lumc.edu

Mitchell Chaar, M.D. Degrees: B.S., University of Puerto Rico and University of Massachusetts; M.D., University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine Residency:  Mt. Sinai Hospital, Chicago Medical School Research:  2004-2006.  Inflammation and Scarring in Wound Healing Mentor:  Dr. Luisa DiPietro Funding Source:  NIH T32 Training in Trauma and Burn Research email:  mitch_chaar@yahoo.com

Andrew Gassman, M.D. Degrees:  B.A., College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA; M.D., Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine  Residency:  Loyola University Medical Center  Research:  2007 to 2009. Induction of angiogenesis across fibrin-collagen interfaces  Mentor:  Dr. Howard Greisler Funding Source:  Falk Medical Research Trust email:  agassma@lumc.edu

Cavin Glenn, M.D. Degrees:  B.S., Eckerd College, St Petersburg, FL; M.D.,  Eastern Virginia Medical School Norfolk, VA Residency:  Mt. Sinai Medical Center of Rosalind Franklin School of Medicine, Dept. of Surgery Research.  2006-2007.  The role of NKT cells in infection after burns Mentor:  Dr. Douglas Faunce Funding Source:  Mt. Sinai Hospital, Department of Surgery email:  cavinhglenn@yahoo.com

Ankush Gosain, M.D., Ph.D. Degrees: B.A., Johns Hopkins University; M.D.,  Eastern Virginia Medical School, Ph.D., Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Loyola University Medical Center Residency:  Loyola University Medical Center Research:  2003-2006.  Neuroimmunomodulation in wound healing and mechanisms of angiogenesis Mentors:  Drs. Luisa DiPietro and Richard Gamelli Funding Source: NIH T32 Training in Trauma and Burn Research and Falk Medical Research Trust. Ph.D. Program:  2006.  Norepinephrine modulates wound neutrophil and macrophage phagocytic efficiency.  Cell Biology,  Neurobiology & Anatomy, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine. email:  agosain@lumc.edu

Kurt Melstrom, M.D. Degrees: B.A., Cornell University; M.D., Cornell Medical College Residency:  Loyola University Medical Center Research:  2005 to 2007.  Immunologic response to burns, trauma, and infection Mentors:  Drs. Ravi Shankar and Richard Gamelli Funding Source:  Falk Research Fellowship email:  kmelstrom@lumc.edu

   

David Mikolyzk,  M.D. Degrees: B.S., University of Notre Dame; M.D., Loyola Stritch School of Medicine Residency:  Loyola University Medical Center Research: 2006 to date.  The effect of steroid on rat rotator cuff tendon Mentor:  Dr. John Callaci Funding Source:  Walgreens Foundation email:  dmikoly@lumc.edu

David Schneider, M.D. Degrees: B.A., Washington University in St. Louis; M.D., Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine Residency:  Loyola University Medical Center Research:  2006 to 2008.  NKT cells in wound healing and sepsis Mentor:  Dr. Douglas Faunce Funding Source:  NIH T32 Training in Trauma and Burn Research M.S. Program:  2007 to date.  Masters in clinical research methods.  Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine email:  dschne2@lumc.edu

Jason Smith, M.D. Degrees: B.A., Baylor University, Waco, TX; M.D., Loyola University Medical Center Residency:  Loyola University Medical Center Research: 2004-2006.  Hematopoietic stem cells and dendritic cell response to critical injury and sepsis Mentors:  Drs. Ravi Shankar and Richard Gamelli Funding Source:  Falk Medical Research Trust email: jsmit11@lumc.edu

Denis A. Williams,  M.D. Degrees: B.S.,University of Alberta; M.D., Georgetown University School of Medicine Residency:  Loyola University Medical Center Research: 2007 to date.  Role of basic fibroblastic growth factor in healing of rotator cuff injuries Mentors:  Drs. John Callaci, Pietro Tonino, and Frederick Wezeman Funding Source:  Walgreens Foundation email:  dewilliams@lumc.edu