Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Lessons Learned For Improving Trainee Engagement And Utilization Of Education And Training Materials For Cancer Research, Katerina M. Santiago, Tania Galindo, Michaela A. Dinan

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Background: A core component of the National Cancer Institute Cancer (NCI) Cancer Center Support Grant requires cancer centers to coordinate research career enhancement and related activities. The Yale Cancer Center, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, established the Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) component in 2016. In response to the needs of trainees, CRTEC has developed several initiatives that we have identified and described here as best practices to engage and support trainees.

Methods: We had 2 aims to improve engagement: 1) increasing our visibility and trainee awareness of CRTEC and nurturing bidirectional communication and 2) offering …

Botanical Safety Consortium: Overview And Progress, Connie Mitchell

Oxford ICSB

No abstract provided.

How To Best Utilize Outcomesmtm In Patient Care Settings, Anna Spalvieri

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Pharmacies are essential for the reception and filling of prescriptions, but they can also be vital for the monitoring and managing of different patient conditions and medication regimens. Patients, especially those who are older or live with chronic conditions, can be prescribed many different medications and therapies. Inversely, they might not have the medications and therapies needed to address their conditions. ONU Healthwise Pharmacy and the pharmacy call center utilize a platform called OutcomesMTM as a way of providing Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services to help patients control their chronic conditions and manage their health. These services, delivered through phone …

Metabolomic Characterizations Of Hericium Erinaceus (Bull.) Pers. And Laricifomes Officinalis (Vill.) Kotl. & Pouzar Fungal Cultures, Kyle Meyer

Oxford ICSB

We present metabolomic characterizations of Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Pers. (lion’s mane, yamabushitake, etc.), and Laricifomes officinalis (Vill.) Kotl. & Pouzar (syn. Fomitopsis officinalis; agarikon, eburiko, etc.) fungal cultures by high resolution orbitrap mass spectrometry and HPLC-DAD. Primary focus has been applied to the cultivation of these species on brown rice, Oryza sativa L., as a solid substrate.   In the case of H. erinaceus, we have observed key differences in lipid metabolite profiles over a 28-day fermentation time series suggesting possible grain lipid feedstocks for fungal-derived lipid production, providing clear evidence of substrate biotransformation.   For L. officinalis cultures, we observe distinct …

Centralizing Communication Intake To Improve Workflow Visibility And Engagement: A Quality Improvement Project In A Cancer Center's Education Division, Menatalla El-Sharkawi, Mohamed Ait Aiss

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Background: In large or complex organizations, multiple teams may be charged with managing different components of a project, initiative, or administrative assignment. When these teams have overlapping needs for information, the absence of a structured intake and tracking process can limit transparency, reduce efficiency, and hinder coordination across communication channels.

Methods: Drawing on principles of strategic communications and project management, we created a structured and centralized information sharing process for teams within the education division of a comprehensive cancer center. The intervention included workflow redesign, development of a standardized intake system, and use of real-time dashboard analytics to support operation …

Bioactive Metabolite Markers For Functional Mushrooms: Comprehensive Metabolomic Mapping Of Full-Spectrum Cultivated Mushrooms, Standard Production And Method Development., Julie Daoust, Ivana Blaženović

Oxford ICSB

Functional mushrooms are increasingly used in dietary supplements and functional foods, yet current scientific characterization of their chemistry remains limited by narrow extraction paradigms, limited standards availability and incomplete databases. In 2025, M2 Ingredients, in collaboration with Adikai Insights, completed a metabolomics atlas, a comprehensive untargeted metabolomics investigation of ten cultivated mushroom species grown under controlled indoor conditions in and effort to identify known bioactive molecules in whole mushroom samples to guide standard and quantitative method development targeting bioactive compounds present in the materials.   Using high-resolution mass spectrometry and advanced cheminformatics, a total of 5,139 unique functional mushroom metabolites were …

Authenticated Hericium Erinaceus Mushroom And Selected Mycelia Reference Materials For General Industry Use, Steven Dentali

Oxford ICSB

The establishment of authenticated reference materials is critical for method validation, standards development, and adulteration detection in the medicinal mushroom market. Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) is widely commercialized, yet historically has lacked species-specific analytical standards. This presentation describes the species identification protocol used by Nammex to develop and maintain authenticated H. erinaceus mushroom reference materials that support ongoing standards work, including advisory contributions to AOAC INTERNATIONAL initiatives. Production partner voucher specimens are authenticated using macroscopic, organoleptic, and morphological examination by qualified personnel, and retained as internal reference materials. Genetic verification using DNA sequencing confirms H. erinaceus identity in voucher specimens …

Determination Of Kratom Alkaloids In Botanical Products Using Multi-Criteria Lc–Ms Analysis, Mengliang Zhang

Oxford ICSB

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a botanical product widely sold in the United States as powders, capsules, tablets, gummies, and beverages. Natural kratom leaves primarily contain mitragynine (MG) as the dominant alkaloid. However, an increasing number of commercial products contain elevated levels of the more potent opioid alkaloid 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and the semi-synthetic compound mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGP). Reliable analytical identification of these compounds is critical for dietary supplement testing, regulatory monitoring, and public health protection. However, kratom matrices contain numerous structurally related alkaloids and isomeric compounds that complicate mass spectrometric identification and may lead to false positive assignments. The objective of …

Efficacy And Safety Of Red Ginseng Extract Powder (Kgc05pg) In Achieving Glycemic Control In Prediabetes Korean Subjects: A 12-Week, Single-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Placebo-Controlled Study, Namhan Cho

Oxford ICSB

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Red Ginseng Extract Powder (RGEP) in achieving glycemic control in prediabetic Korean subjects. Methods: The study consisted of 49 subjects in the RGEP group and 49 in the placebo group.  The participants were orally given 2 tablets of RGEP and placebo (500 mg/day twice daily in the morning and the evening within 30 min after meal), respectively.  The subjects were followed duration of 12-week.  The participants glycemic control parameters, such as fasting blood glucose levels, 30-, 60-, 90-, and 120-min blood glucose levels at 75gm oral glucose tolerance …

Ginsenoside-Based Theranostic Agents For Alzheimer's Disease: Implications For Brain Penetration, Cellular Uptake, And Anti-Aging Effects, Hak Soo Choi

Oxford ICSB

Red ginseng and its bioactive constituents, ginsenosides, have long been associated with neuroprotection and anti-aging effects, yet their limited ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and poorly characterized biodistribution have hindered therapeutic translation. To address this, we developed a library of “ginsenoprobes” by conjugating major red ginseng components (Rg1, Rg3, Rb1, Rh2, Rk1, Rg5) and red ginseng extract (RGE) to a zwitterionic near-infrared (NIR) fluorophore (ZW800-1C), enabling real-time tracking of their fate in vitro and in vivo. All ginsenoprobes were purified to >95% homogeneity via preparative HPLC and rigorously characterized for optical properties, including molar extinction coefficients and dye-to-ginsenoside …

Icu Decision Tool Impact On Rebound Hyperglycemia, Daniel J. Donovan, Emily Highsmith, Sonya Khan, Michelle Horng

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Hyperglycemia, defined as a blood glucose level ≥180 mg/dL in the hospitalized patient, is linked to negative outcomes including longer hospital stays, increased infection risk, and higher morbidity and mortality rates. In addition to critically ill patients with diabetes, hyperglycemia can develop in individuals without diabetes due to factors such as steroid use, continuous tube feedings, and an elevated stress response. Patients who have uncontrolled hyperglycemia are often placed on continuous insulin infusions (CII), but rebound hyperglycemia frequently occurs after CII discontinuation if the maintenance insulin regimen (MIR) is insufficient. Implementation of a MIR decision support tool integrated within an …

Metabolite Profiling Of Chamaelirium Luteum (False Unicorn) Roots And Related Commercial Products By Hptlc And Lc-Msms, Wendy Strangman, Wilmer Perera, Wilmer Perera

Oxford ICSB

Throughout history, medicinal plants have been used as herbal treatments in women’s health.  However, they remain poorly characterized at the chemical level, limiting standardization and safety assessment. Chamaelirium luteum (false unicorn), traditionally used for reproductive health in the Eastern United States, has previously been shown to possess both conventional steroidal saponins as well as more rare open-chain saponins whose bioactivities are largely unexplored. Incorporation of C. luteum into commercial products, and subsequent overharvesting of wild populations has increased the urgency for robust methods to verify authenticity and detect adulteration. In this study, we coupled HPTLC-based profiling with detailed LC-MSMS analyses …

Hptlc: The New Front Line Of Global Botanical Surveillance, Tiên Do, Ilona Trettin, Ehab Mahran, Sonja Drobnjak

Oxford ICSB

Quality control of botanicals is approaching a breaking point. Regulators, industry, and pharmacists are now forced to answer questions faster and at larger scale than ever before: What plant is actually in the product? Is it the right species—or a look-alike? Is it pure or adulterated? Is it safe? Is the chemistry consistent? And how can labs make confident decisions when analytical capacity and staffing are finite? This presentation demonstrates how modern HPTLC— far beyond its historical role as a simple identity test— now provides clear, interpretable chemical evidence that supports analyst with a practical tool for risk-based surveillance of …

Advancements In Extraction And Co-Extraction Of Botanicals For Standardization And Efficacy, Rory Coleman

Oxford ICSB

Historically, botanicals have served human health in traditional medicine and supplementation due to their bioactive components. Efficient, clean extractions and clinical validation have become fundamental technologies, rendering access to libraries of efficacious products. However, cost, regulatory status, and speed to market have kept many botanicals in single or simple form. Mixtures of such single botanical extracts often require large quantities for effect, influenced by chemical composition, concentration, and delivery format. During the extraction and concentration process, exogenous "bioenhancers," e.g. piperine or oil blends for hydrophilic molecules, often become a necessity, exasperating the problem.   Here, we will delve into the development …

Botanical Hepatotoxicity: Are We Accurately Characterizing Risk Vs. Hazard, Rick Kingston

Oxford ICSB

No abstract provided.

Yeast As A "Microbial Factory", Kaila Fuller, Betsy Jean Yakes

Oxford ICSB

Yeast are eukaryotic, single-celled microorganisms that are members of Kingdom Fungi, and in the world of dietary supplements, yeast qualify as a dietary ingredient as a botanical. During fermentation, yeast naturally produce byproducts that can be harvested, purified, and sold in a dietary supplement. Advances in biotechnology have allowed for genetic modification of yeast so that yeast can produce large quantities of native or non-native constituents during fermentation, effectively making yeast a “microbial factory” for various chemicals. Chemicals produced this way can qualify as a dietary ingredient as a constituent of a botanical. Relevant examples of past submitted notifications (public …

Silent Struggles: A Qualitative Study On Mental Health Stigma And Help- Seeking Among African Individuals In The U.S, Ololade Ekwere

Dissertations

Approximately one-third of African Americans and Caribbean Blacks who require mental health services seek and utilize them (Evans & Sheu, 2019). Research has shown that stigma surrounding mental health treatment contributes to lower rates of professional help-seeking among Black Americans (Pederson, 2023). Despite the growing diversity within the Black community, limited research exists on how stigma influences professional mental health help-seeking among Africans living in the United States.

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the effect of public stigma on the mental health help-seeking behaviors of Africans living in the United States. Demographic data were collected, …

Supporting Early Childhood Development Through Parent And Educator Education, Hannah L. Wood

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone was completed in partnership with Glen Leven Presbyterian Church Day School in Nashville, Tennessee, a program serving children from 6 weeks to 5 years, with the aim of supporting early childhood development through parent and educator education. The primary goal was to develop evidence-based parent newsletters on early childhood development topics, including practical strategies for daily routines. Weekly newsletters were distributed to parents and later compiled into a booklet to serve as an ongoing resource for educators. Parent survey feedback indicated that the newsletters were clear, helpful, and applicable to everyday routines. A second goal and primary …

Making The Write Connections: Cursive & Body Schema Development, Angelina Kelley

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed at Middle Tennessee Christian School (MTCS) to address handwriting and fine motor needs across grade levels. Teachers identified a need for structured, classroom-friendly strategies to support students with dyslexia, attention challenges, and early pre-writing readiness.

The project included two components: development of a multi-sensory cursive handwriting curriculum for elementary students and implementation of a classroom-based Mat Man pilot study for preschool and transitional kindergarten students. The cursive curriculum emphasized color-coded stroke pathways, motor-based letter grouping, guided practice, repetition, and classroom application. Teacher-ready materials included laminated visual supports, portable letter cards, lesson plans, and digital …

Building Inclusive Communities: Resource And Partnership Development At Friends Life Community, Siobhan Collins

OTD Capstone Projects

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their family systems often face barriers to meaningful participation in community activities, limiting inclusion and quality of life. This capstone project was completed in collaboration with Friends Life Community (FLC), a non-profit organization, supporting adults with IDD (friends) through community-based day programing, with emphasis on social engagement and lifelong learning. This projected aimed to promote community inclusion by shedding light on the resources available and fostering strategic partnerships within the Nashville area.

A comprehensive needs assessment identified a gap in the connection between programming at FLC and overall inclusion and advocacy within …

Effects Of Animal-Assisted Therapy In Inpatient Rehabilitation: A Reflective Study And Outline For Practice​, Anna Rosenberger

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital. The project aimed to collect patient feedback and preliminary qualitative data on the implementation of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) interventions within an inpatient rehabilitation setting. Project activities included a comprehensive literature review, examination of current AAT practices, collaboration with therapy dog teams regarding their work and certification processes, implementation of AAT-based occupational therapy interventions, and administration of patient surveys following sessions. Outcomes of the project included the development of a practical guidebook to support the implementation of animal-assisted therapy in clinical settings, as well as the collection of …

Promoting Safety And Reducing Fall Risk In Adults With Parkinson's Disease, Kennedie Hudson

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in collaboration with Bridges for Parkinson’s, a local non-profit organization that supports individuals living with Parkinson’s disease. Bridges for Parkinson’s helps to reduce financial barriers and provide exercise and fitness programs that promote functional mobility, a sense of community, and overall well-being. Fall prevention is increasingly important in older adults, especially those with Parkinson’s disease. The primary goal of this project was to gain insight into individuals with Parkinson’s disease experiences and develop research-informed community and home fall prevention and safety educational materials. An educational seminar was conducted that included a pre-survey, presentation of …

Flip For Function: Professional Development And Family Education Resources, Hayley E. Fuller

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Flip for Function, a therapeutic gymnastics program that promotes confidence, inclusion, and participation through adaptive athletics and child-led occupational therapy. The purpose of this project was to develop professional development and family education resources to enhance caregiver understanding, staff consistency, and community outreach. To address identified needs, a comprehensive parent- and school-friendly guidebook was created, including diagnosis-specific information (ADHD, autism, Down syndrome, and sensory processing differences), explanations of how movement supports regulation and development, and strategies to support skill carryover into home and school environments. Additional deliverables included diagnosis-based handouts, activity …

Development Of A Cvi Early Learning Kit For Clients Of Blind Early Services Tennessee, Emma Ruggles

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Blind Early Services Tennessee (BEST), a nonprofit organization focused on providing early intervention services for children with visual impairments. BEST currently supports more than 300 families throughout Tennessee, utilizing a multidisciplinary team approach that includes Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs), Orientation & Mobility (O&M) specialists, Occupational Therapists (OTs), and Developmental Therapists (DTs). This project focused on developing kits that offered educational resources for families while also providing materials designed to support early learning in children with Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI). Deliverables included a sensory processing guide with activity ideas, QR …

Promotion And Advocation For Naveg Integration In Nicu Practices To Advance Early Intervention Vision Health, Lily A. Simmons

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Blind Early Services Tennessee (BEST), a nonprofit organization that provides early intervention services to children ages 0–5 with visual impairments and their families across the state. Serving more than 300 children and families in Tennessee, BEST offers early intervention (BEST Start), parent empowerment (BEST Advocate), and family support (BEST Together) programming. The primary goal of this project was to promote and advocate for the implementation of an early identification screening tool, the Neonatal Assessment Visual European Grid (NAVEG), a validated, non-invasive newborn vision screening tool designed to identify neurological risk for …

Genetic Predispositions To Cancer: What Pediatricians Need To Know, Sarah Gubara, Nicole Wood

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

Pediatric hematology/oncology physician Nikki Wood, DO, explains how pediatricians can recognize genetic cancer risk, refer to genetics appropriately, and support families through long‑term surveillance.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

Iron-Based Nanoparticles As Delivery Tools, Keykavous Parang, Rajesh Vadlapatla, Ajoy Koomer, Victoria Moran, Lanie Jackson, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Iron-based nanoparticles, particularly iron oxide nanostructures (IONPs), have emerged as versatile and clinically relevant platforms for drug delivery and theranostic applications. Among these, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), including magnetite (Fe₃O₄) and maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃), are the most extensively investigated due to their biocompatibility, magnetic responsiveness, and established safety profiles. Their unique superparamagnetic behavior enables external magnetic-field-guided targeting, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast enhancement, and magnetically triggered hyperthermia, enabling simultaneous diagnosis and therapy. Surface functionalization with polymers, silica, lipids, peptides, and biomolecules further improves colloidal stability, circulation time, targeting specificity, and controlled drug …

Pharmacologic Interventions To Reduce Cardiopulmonary Bypass Induced Inflammation In Cardiac Surgery: A Scoping Review, Wyatt Anderson

Student Works

ABSTRACT

1. Structured summary

Background

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is essential in cardiac surgery but can trigger a systemic inflammatory response that contributes to postoperative complications. The scoping review conducted has a purpose to map the existing literature on pharmacologic interventions to mitigate CPB related inflammation. While several interventions demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory effects, findings were inconsistent, and no standardized pharmacologic approach is currently agreed upon.

Methods

This scoping review followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines.Both PubMed, and CINAHL were screened for studies published between 2000 and 2024 that evaluated pharmacologic interventions aimed at reducing CPB related inflammation. After screening and duplicate removal, 10 studies met …

From Admission To Readiness: Evaluating School Admissions And Supporting Early Childhood Development At Middle Tennessee Christian School, Tessa B. Barto

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project evaluated the admissions criteria and processes at Middle Tennessee Christian School (MTCS) to better support early childhood development and school readiness. Methods included reviewing current protocols, conducting stakeholder interviews, analyzing kindergarten-readiness trends, and comparing practices to evidence-based standards. Findings revealed variability in academic skills and highlighted social-emotional development, self-regulation, and functional independence as key areas of need. Results also emphasized the importance of a holistic admissions approach and strong family engagement in student success. In response, evidence-based recommendations were developed to enhance the admissions process. Additionally, the Early Learning Center (ELC) Classroom Support Strategies resource was created …

Developing Inclusive, Evidence-Based Curriculum And Educational Resources For Neurodiverse Learners, Cristina N. Cinca

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone was completed in partnership with Wildflower Learning Center in Nolensville, Tennessee, a non-traditional educational program offering group academic classes within an inclusive and supportive learning environment for children with disabilities, neurodiverse learners, and neurotypical peers in grades 3–8. Wildflower Learning Center utilizes an interdisciplinary model that supports academic, social, language, and functional skill development through group-based instruction. The primary goal of this project was to develop an inclusive, evidence-based curriculum aimed at enhancing students’ interoceptive awareness through structured lesson plans, engaging activities, and supportive educational resources. A comprehensive 14-week brain class curriculum was created in both digital …