DMU researchers: they’re everywhere

Many Des Moines University faculty members and students were recognized for their recent presentations, publications and awards. Faculty names are in boldface; DMU alumni are indicated with asterisks.

Martin Schmidt, Ph.D., associate professor of biochemistry and nutrition, and Michael Boyer, research assistant, along with students Kento Akasaka, D.O.’14, and Jeffrey T. Messerly, D.O.’14, had their research, “Role of Hog1, Tps1 and Sod1 in boric acid tolerance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae,” published in the October 2012 issue of Microbiology.

Samina Akbar, Ph.D., assistant professor of microbiology and immunology, presented a poster titled “Molecular Analysis and Dissemination of CMY2 Plasmids from Diverse Isolates of Salmonella” at the 112th annual general meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, San Francisco.

Andrew Brittingham, Ph.D., professor of microbiology and immunology; Ryan Huffman, M.S.’16; Lauren Nawrocki, M.S.’16; T.J. Nielsen; and Wayne Wilson, Ph.D., associate professor of biochemistry and nutrition, gave the oral presentation “Degradation and utilization of complex carbohydrates by Trichomonas vaginalis” at the 64th annual Midwest Conference of Parasitologists in Kirksville, MO.

Two abstracts from the laboratory of Marie Nguyen, Ph.D., associate professor of microbiology and immunology, were presented as posters at the American Society for Virology meeting in Madison, WI: “Early Passage Neonate and Adult Keratinocytes are Sensitive to Herpes Simplex Virus-dependent Apoptosis” and “Inhibition of herpes simplex virus 1 replication by the telomerase inhibitor MST-312.”

April Newton, D.P.T., director of clinical education in physical therapy, presented the poster “Effectiveness of Animal-assisted Therapy along with Traditional Physical Therapy for Pediatric Patients: a Case Study” at the annual conference and exposition of the American Physical Therapy Association on June 6 in Tampa, FL.

Julie Ronnebaum, D.P.T., assistant professor in the doctor of physical therapy program, was among the authors of “Earlier Mobilization Decreases Length of Stay in the Intensive Care Unit,” published in the Journal of Acute Care Physical Therapy, summer 2012, 3(2): 204-210.

Catherine Stevermer, M.P.T., Ph.D., GC, assistant professor in the post-professional doctor of physical therapy program, was among the authors of “Lower extremity joint moments during carrying tasks in children” in the Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 28: 156-164.

R. Tim Yoho, D.P.M., FACFAS, dean of the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery; Valerie Tallerico, D.P.M.’10*; and Vassilios Vardaxis, Ph.D., authored “Relationship Between Student Academic and Clinical Performance in Podiatric Medical Education at Des Moines University” in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association (JAPMA), Volume 102, Number 4, July 2012, pp. 314-318.

James Mahoney, D.P.M., associate dean for academic affairs, College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (CPMS); Vassilios Vardaxis; and CPMS graduates Joshua Moore,* Andrew Hall,* Kyle Haffner* and Matthew Peterson* authored “Topical Ketamine Cream in the Treatment of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy” in JAPMA, Volume 102, Number 3, May 2012, pp. 178-183.

Robert M. Greenhagen*, Dane K. Wukich, Rachel H. Jung*, Vassilios Vardaxis and R. Tim Yoho authored “Peripheral and Central Bone Mineral Density in Charcot Neuroarthropathy Compared in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Populations” in JAPMA, Volume 102, Number 3, May 2012, pp. 213-222.

Kosta Antonopoulos*, D.P.M.’10, Vassilios Vardaxis and R. Tim Yoho received the first place award for outstanding poster abstract (larger research studies/clinical trials) at the 2012 annual national scientific meeting of the American Podiatric Medical Association in Washington, DC, August 15-18. The title of their project was “The relationship between undergraduate GPAs and the MCAT to academic performance in podiatric medical school at Des Moines University.”

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