Copyright © *|2015|*   -   All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
PAVIR - PO Box V-38
Palo Alto, CA  94304
Core Office: (650) 858-3970
Fax: (650) 858-3907
info@pavir.org

Meet Tony Wyss-Coray, Ph.D.: NIH Director’s Pioneer Award Winner
Tony Wyss-Coray is one of 13 distinguished recipients of the 2015 NIH Director’s Pioneer Award for individuals of exceptional creativity proposing highly innovative research. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Wyss-Coray on this prestigious award.  Information on the Pioneer Award Program is at nihroadmap.nih.gov/pioneer.

Dr. Wyss-Coray is a Senior Research Career Scientist at the VA Palo Alto and professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences at Stanford University. He received a Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Bern, Switzerland, and postdoctoral training with Lennart Mucke at Scripps, San Diego and the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco. His lab investigates the role of immune responses in brain aging and neurodegeneration with a focus on cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. He combines molecular and cellular studies in animal models with plasma proteomics in mice and humans, showing most recently that systemic circulatory factors can modulate neurogenesis, neuroinflammation, and cognitive function in mice and that blood-derived factors from young mice or humans can rejuvenate the aging mouse brain. Learn more about his project: “What Controls Organismal Aging?”

VAPAHCS Center for Clinical Research (CCR) Update
New Advisory Board and CCR Medical Director

 
Earlier this year the CCR Advisory Board started meeting to discuss the strategic direction of the CCR.  At its initial meeting in June, it discussed the need for a VA-based CCR and its desired functionality.  The major needs included:
  1. Support VAPAHCS's strategic intent to be an effective site for translation of MVP data to medical practice
  2. Strengthen our ability to conduct clinical research at the VA
  3. Provide a point of contact for starting clinical research projects.
Initial long-term goals:
  1. Serve as a one-stop-shop for information on how to go about starting clinical research projects
  2. Provide opportunities to access/develop relationships with mentors for clinical research
  3. Build access to a clinical study coordinator "bank" for hire
  4. Create dedicated CCR space plus overflow space
  5. Provide space for clinical research procedures and specimen processing
  6. Deliver defined opportunities for nursing rotations
The Advisory Board is currently working on creating a web-based information portal where clinical researchers can obtain information and share best practices to support clinical research at the VAPAHCS.  Initial design review is anticipated later this fall.  In collaboration with PAVIR, the first study coordinator for the "bank" was hired in October.  For more information, contact info@pavir.org. 

Effective immediately, Dr. Catherine Curtin is leading the CCR.  Dr. Curtin is a Staff Physician in the VA Surgery Service; she clinically focuses on hand surgeries.  Her clinical research interest focus on post operative care and improving the quality of care of the upper limb.  Her research often is interdisciplinary working with colleagues in medicine, anesthesia, PM&R, surgery and radiology. 

Dr. Curtin also holds an Associate Professor appointment at Stanford.  Dr. Curtin shares, “The VA has supported my research providing an environment to do my clinical work and research.  I appreciate the opportunities given to me and look forward to help shape our VA CCR."

CCR Networking Break on November 4th
Based on the work of the CCR Advisory Board, PAVIR is helping to organize the first Clinical Research Networking Break on Wednesday, November 4th from 2:30-3:30pm in the Surgical Conference Room (Building 101, Room B3-136). This is a terrific opportunity to network with fellow Study Coordinators and Clinical Trials professionals and explore research solutions while helping to build your clinical research community.  Please RSVP by Wednesday, October 28, 2015, via email to Maria Gordienko, at PAVIR: mgordienko@pavir.org. Light complimentary refreshments and great company included!  We hope to see you there.

PAVIR Board of Directors Welcomes Dr. Odette Harris
Odette Harris, MD
The PAVIR Board of Directors unanimously elected Dr. Odette Harris to become a member of the Board.  Dr. Harris’ service as a PAVIR Board member started on September 23, 2015.  Dr. Mark Nicolls, PAVIR Chair enthusiastically comments, “We are delighted to add Dr. Harris to our Board and look forward to her energetic counsel and contributions to support excellence and innovation at PAVIR.”

Dr. Harris is the Associate Chief of Staff, Rehabilitation at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, inclusive of Polytrauma System of Care, Spinal Cord Injury, Blind Rehabilitation Services and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service, and an Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at Stanford University School of Medicine and Director of Brain Injury for Stanford Medical Center.  Click here for her full bio.

PI Alert:  NIH Early Independence Award Funding Opportunity

PAVIR wants to alert you to a new Early Independence Award funding opportunity, deadline for submission to NIH by January 29, 2016.  David Chan, M.D., Ph.D., Core Investigator at the Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development in Palo Alto, and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Stanford University, has received this award in 2014.  Dr. Chan’s NIH Early Independence Award, administered by PAVIR, is titled “The Benefit and Burden of Electronic Reminders of Optimizing Patient Care.”  

 

If you are interested in applying for an Early Independence Award, contact PAVIR at grants@pavir.org or come by our core offices at Suite A2-210 in Building 101 on the main VAPAHCS campus.  More information, including FAQs, can be found on the NIH Early Independence Award website. 

PAVIR Electronic Timecards Have Arrived

PAVIR HR is rolling out electronic timecards to streamline and improve time card processes.  Our first group of labs have been trained to start using electronic timecards effective 10/1.  The second group of labs will start 11/1 and the final group of labs will start 12/1, with full implementation by 1/1/16.  Please be on the lookout for invitations for training and information on how to access your electronic timecard on ADP WorkforceNow.  So far the feedback has been positive, but we want to hear from you if we can answer questions you may have.  Contact PAVIR Human Resources at hr@pavir.org.
Free to You: Epson Portable Projector

PAVIR received a duplicate shipment for an Epson portable projector.  It was too late to return the item to the vendor, so we are pleased to offer it to a VA-based PI's research team at no cost.  If you would like to see it in person, visit Daniel at the PAVIR core office in Bldg 101, Room A2 210.  First come, first served.

Holiday Reminders
PAVIR follows the Federal Holiday schedule so please mark your calendars with the remaining holidays in 2015 and be sure to work with your supervisor to schedule any additional time off:

  • Wednesday, 11/11/15 – Veterans Day
  • Thursday, 11/26/15 – Thanksgiving Day
  • Friday, 12/25/15 – Christmas Day
In addition, the PAVIR core administrative office will be closed on Friday, November 27.
 






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