Epidemiology and infectious diseases
Investigators: Dr. Sue Fisher-Hoch, Dr. Rose Gowen, Dr. Blanca I. Restrepo,
Dr. Joseph McCormick
Cameron County Hispanic Cohort: Beginning in 2003 we have collected
a cohort representative of the populationof Brownsville, called the
Cameron County Hispanic Cohort(funded by NIH). This consists of 1800
randomly selected Mexican Americans representative of the adult population
of Brownsville. All individuals complete a physical examination with
questionnaires, anthropometric and clinical and mental health measurements
at our Clinical Research Unit (CRU) which is part of the University
of Texas Houston Health Science Center Translational Research Award
(NIH funded CCTS-CTSA). Data from this cohort show that rates of obesity
and diabetes are the highest in the US. Over half have BMI over 30 (obese),
and fully 20% of people over 18 have diabetes. This well-characterized
cohort is now available for a number of studies in Mexican Americans.
Early in 2008 we will start to call back these cohort participants and
enroll them in studies of diabetes and related diseases, as well as
intervention studies.
Tuberculosis program: Our tuberculosis team in Brownsville, Texas offers
a special international training opportunity. The experience is quite
unique because it is binational (US/Mexico), allowing the student to
experience the contrasts of the developing and developed world within
walking distance, good quality of science, excellent mentoring and a
good working environment. We are confident this will prepare and provide
the trainee with a competitive advantage for your future career. One
of our major areas of interest in out tuberculosis program is understanding
the impact that the epidemic of type 2 diabetes is having on infectious
diseases, particularly tuberculosis. We are therefore interested in
the implications these two co-morbidities may have in making the host
more prone to multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, and having TB patients
that may be more infectious for longer periods of time, hence making
an important contribution to disease spread in the community. From the
basic science perspective we are interested in the biological basis
of the association between both diseases through immune response studies,
and the early detection of drug-resistant TB through point mutations.
Studies involve field sites in Mexico and Texas, and our BSL3 laboratory
(see below), where we also perform state-of-the-art molecular and immunological
studies using fresh specimens from the patients seen in our clinics.
Laboratory studies
Our new 6000 square foot laboratory includes a BSL3 for handling pathogens
such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and West Nile Virus. We have real
time PCR which is heavily used in a number of studies. We also have
immunological facilities, and are using techniques such as Luminex and
bead array to study cytokine responses in patients with infectious diseases
and diabetes. We have recently acquired a FACSCanto fluorescent cell
analyzer. In addition to the well established tuberculosis laboratory
studies, we will be working with dengue and West Nile patients, and
possibly with infections such as systemic candidiasis in neonates of
mothers with uncontrolled diabetes.
Clinical Research
Investigators: Dr. Rose Gowen, Dr. Sue Fisher-Hoch, Dr. Joseph McCormick.
As part of our CTSA aware, Brownsville has a Clinical Research Unit
at the main Brownsville hospital, staffed by a medical director, two
nurses and a field staff. In addition to studies using the Cameron County
Cohort, we have several clinical studies including studies of HPV associated
cancer, studies of the consequences of obestity and diabetes in pregnancy,
and some neonatal studies, also looking at the impact of maternal diabetes
and obesity. Some of these studies include therapeutic as well as behavioral
interventions.
Community and Behavioral Science:
Investigators: Dr. Belinda Reininger, Dr. Cristina Barroso.
1 Intervention studies in diabetes and obesity: media program (Tu Salud Si Cuenta)
The National Institutes of Health has funded the School of Public Health to carry out a research
project entitled Project EXPORT: Creation of a Hispanic Health Research Center in the Lower Rio
Grande Valley. One part of this research is associated with providing health information to the
Lower Rio Grande Valley through the activities of the Community Outreach Core. The three main aims
for the Community Outreach Core and their associated goals are
Aim 1. Develop and disseminate culturally sensitive health information in a culturally sensitive
manner to communities and professionals.
Goal: Assess health promotion programs shown to be culturally appropriate and examine the
in/effective manners for health information dissemination.
Aim 2. Encourage and equip communities to participate in research and for partnering in
evidence-based disease prevention / intervention activities.
Goal: Support other core activities with their recruitment and retention efforts, create
local research efforts of interest to the community.
Aim 3. Support science education outreach activities in the Valley.
Goal: Enhance development activities for science teachers and encourage Hispanic youth to enter scientific careers.
The scope of the student's internship will entail working directly with the faculty
and staff of the Community Outreach Core as we conduct literature reviews, plan programs,
and implement activities to enhance culturally competent health programs and science education
in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Specifically, the intern will carry out a project developing materials
for a Spanish language media campaign on the topics of physical activity and healthy food choices among
Hispanics. The student will help to design TV and radio segments, write and distribute newsletters,
and conduct market research. Additionally, the student will provide assistance in the development
of a website promoting healthy eating and physical activity.
2 Intervention studies in diabetes and obesity: surveys and data analysis
The scope of the student's internship will entail working directly with the faculty
and staff of the Community Outreach Core as we conduct literature reviews, plan programs,
and implement activities to enhance culturally competent health programs and science education
in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Specifically, the intern will carry out a project analyzing
data from a physical activity and nutrition survey. The student will use computer software to
conduct statistical analysis of the data and create graphics to summarize the findings.
Additionally, the student will provide assistance to the development of a website promoting
healthy eating and physical activity.
Contact information
For further information please contact us by email:
Sue Fisher-Hoch, MD susan.p.fisher-hoch@utb.edu
Joseph McCormick, MD joseph.b.mccormick@utb.edu
Blanca Restrepo, PhD blanca.i.restrepo@utb.edu
Belinda Reininger, DrPH Belinda.m.reininger@utb.edu
Rose Gowen, MD Rose.m.gowen@uth.tmc.edu
Cristina Barroso PhD Cristina.barroso@uth.tmc.edu
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