Miller School Researchers Featured on “Academic Minute” Radio Program
Five researchers from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine represented the school during this week’s takeover of “Academic Minute” — a Northeast-based public radio program with a national reach.
Each day, a different Miller School researcher took part in a two-and-a-half-minute discussion on discoveries and advancements, keeping listeners abreast of what’s new and exciting in their fields. Follow the links below to listen to the episodes.
Monday, August 15
Ranjith Ramasamy, M.D., associate professor and director of the Miller School’s Reproductive Urology Program, opened the series with a segment discussing “The Impacts of COVID-19 and Its Vaccines on Male Fertility.”
Dr. Ramasamy speaks about his study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, proving that the COVID-19 vaccine does not impact male fertility. His research has shown that the COVID-19 virus can remain in penile tissue long after recovery and cause damage to other organs, underscoring the importance of vaccination.
Tuesday, August 16
Luanda Grazette, M.D., M.P.H., FACC, professor of medicine at the Miller School and director of advanced heart failure, heart failure recovery, and therapeutic innovation at the University of Miami Health System, speaks on “Heart Failure — No Longer a Death Sentence.” Dr. Grazette explains why heart failure isn’t the deadly diagnosis it once was, and how heart failure patients are now able to live full lives and manage their conditions, similar to diabetes patients.
Dr. Grazette discusses taking an intentional approach to promoting heart failure recovery, and expanding knowledge in the field by measuring the effects and changes associated with recovery. Her team also focuses on multidisciplinary collaboration, allowing patients access to the latest FDA-approved therapies and participation in clinical trials of novel therapies.
Wednesday, August 17
During this segment, James Galvin, M.D., M.P.H., professor of neurology and director of the Miller School’s Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, delves into “Properly Diagnosing Lewy Body Dementia,” addressing his research of nearly 1,000 patients in which 75% had initially been incorrectly diagnosed.
As 1.4 million Americans suffer from this disease, Dr. Galvin directs clinicians to use the LBD diagnostic module, which gives providers and researchers better tools to identify the disease in patients. This resource is vital because misdiagnosis is a common problem that can have tragic consequences. Dementia researchers will benefit as well, since the module will help them better identify participants and promote new clinical trials. For clinicians, the diagnostic tool will help them provide better care.
Thursday, August 18
Christine Dinh, M.D., associate professor of otolaryngology, otology, neurotology, and lateral skull base surgery, educates the audience on the “Multicenter National Clinical Trial for Neurofibromatosis Type 2.”
Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a devastating disease arising from a genetic mutation that can cause multiple types of tumors involving the brain, spine, and peripheral nerves. The disease can further lead to hearing loss, tinnitus, balance problems, and other neurological issues such as paralysis. To better understand and treat the disease, Dr. Dinh will be the principal investigator at the Miller School clinical trial site, where she and her team will examine new medication options for treating four different types of tumors caused by NF2.
Friday, August 19
The Miller School’s takeover of “Academic Minutes” concludes with Maria Abreu, M.D., professor of medicine, microbiology, and immunology, briefing listeners on “Diet Studies for Patients with IBD and Crohn’s.”
Dr. Abreu discusses her study on patients following diets first consisting of high fat and low fiber, then low fat and high fiber. Results showed that a low-fat diet was correlated with a more significant improvement in IBD patients’ microbiome profiles, a decrease in inflammatory markers, and an improved quality of life. The study is to be repeated on patients with Crohn’s.
Tags: Department of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Neurology, Department of Otolaryngology, Department of Urology, Dr. Christine Dinh, Dr. James Galvin, Dr. Luanda Grazette, Dr. Maria Abreu, Dr. Ranjith Ramasamy, Miller School of Medicine