2025 Research Showcase Exhibitor Booths

Director 

The University of Tennessee Medical Center, Cancer Institute

Dean

The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine

Section Head 

Radioisotope Research and Development Section, ORNL

Associate Vice Chancellor

Research & Innovation Initiatives, Research Integrity & Assurance, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Vice Chancellor for Research 

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Assistant Dean of Research 

The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine

Stefanos Boukovalas, M.D.

Breast cancer affects 1 out of 8 women in the United States. Even though survival is very high, approximately 20% of all breast cancer patients will develop chronic, debilitating and incurable swelling of their arm, called lymphedema. Novel surgical techniques performed by specialized plastic surgeons are now able to prevent this complication. The focus of my research is to utilize artificial intelligence in an effort to predict which patients are at risk to develop lymphedema after their breast cancer treatments. This would allow us to offer these patients cutting-edge surgery to prevent lymphedema from ever happening.

Jillian Lloyd MD, Kendall Brady, Kerrigan Magnus, Sarah Neller PhD, Msgana Araya, Jordan Tasman, Devin Clegg MD, Stefanos Boukovalas MD, Patricia Roberson PhD

Breast cancer patients and their family caregivers experience many stressors during treatment (financial stress, physical burden, relationship distress, negative physician communication). Using their words, we share how these stressors combined with positive factors (family support, positive healthcare experiences) impact their wellbeing ultimately showing us pathways to better serve our patients.

Lauren Benner Grimsley, MD MBA, Jordan G. Tasman, MPH, Devin J. Clegg, MD, Thomas W. Mazonas, MD, Brett J. Salomon, MD, Mitchell H. Goldman, MD FACS, Scott Stevens, MD FACS, Patricia Roberson, PhD

Community factors, such as poverty rate, access to primary care and food insecurity disproportionately impact rural patients with diabetic foot ulcers that predispose them to increased risk of a major amputation in the future.

T. Henderson, MS, A. Russ, MD, R. Schmocker, MD, J. McLoughlin, MD , T. Johnson, L. Enomoto, MD, A. Mohmmed, PhD,  G. Low, MD,  J. DeLong, MD, R. Davis, MD, R. Ahmed, H. Denham, PharmD, M. Hintz, PharmD, J. Buehler, MD, P. Allen, MD, PhD.

Our research focuses on using personalized genetic information to optimize opioid prescriptions for patients recovering from surgery. By analyzing patients' genetic profiles, we aim to reduce opioid consumption and prevent potential side effects, ultimately minimizing the risk of opioid dependency and improving post-operative care.

Phoebe Tran, Ph.D., MS; Benjamin Fogelson, DO, MBA; Andrew Sorey, MAS; Robert E. Heidel, Ph.D.; Raj Baljepally, M.D.

This research examines whether rural Tennessee residents face longer travel distances and times to outpatient cardiac rehabilitation compared to urban residents. Since this rehab helps people recover after a heart attack, finding and fixing travel barriers can improve access to care.

John Bell, M.D., FACS, L. Mae King, BBA, R. Eric Heidel, Ph,D. PStat, Savannah Allen, MPH

A total of 48,385 breast cancer screenings were performed on 20,254 unique women between the years of 2008-2023 using a Mobile Mammography Unit (MMU). Of those women, 9,217 had multiple breast screenings and there were 238 breast cancers detected.

Katherine H. Morgan, Ph.D., FNP-BC, Randall Trudell, M.D. and Christopher Tolleson, M.D.

A dietary educational intervention testing the gut microbiome and clinical outcomes associated with adopting a neuroprotective diet in people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and healthy controls

Deidra Mountain, Ph.D.

Vascular interventions are the most common surgical procedures in the US with limited long-term success and a high failure rate. Our laboratory is dedicated to developing a molecular therapeutic approach that can be translated to the clinic to improve vascular surgical outcomes for our patients. We have established a lipid nanoparticle formulation functionalized to selectively and specifically target vascular pathology, and we have partnered with a Knoxville-based biotech startup to translate this technology from the bench to the bedside.

Andrew Monteith, Ph.D., Jeffry D. Bieber, M.D. 

We are uncovering some of the details of immune dysfunction in people with lupus. Gaining a deeper understanding of these mechanisms will enhance our knowledge of lupus and may pave the way for new treatments.

Manasi Balachandran, Ph.D. 

Cell-based therapeutics use living cells as medicine to treat diseases by repairing, replacing, or enhancing the body's natural functions. These therapies may involve modifying a patient's own cells or using donor cells to fight illnesses like cancer or organ damage. In our research, we are specifically engineering macrophages [called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) macrophages] which are a type of immune cell to clear harmful amyloid deposits associated with many diseases like systemic amyloidosis. These smart, scavenger cells can recognize and break down amyloid buildup more effectively than the body’s natural defenses, offering a promising new approach to treatment.

Emily Martin, Ph.D., Alan Stuckey, CNMT, Jonathan Wall, Ph.D.

Amyloidosis was recently called “Alzheimer’s of the Heart” because clumps of protein deposit in the heart muscle, resulting in a type of heart failure that is hard to accurately diagnose and difficult to treat. Our research focuses on understanding how these proteins deposit in the heart and why the body does not clear them in addition to developing new ways to diagnose and treat the disease.

Stephanie G. Vanterpool, M.D.., MBA; Trey Henderson, MS; Hannah Denham, PharmD; Dustin Osborne, Ph.D.

What if we could see healing happen in the brain? This study uses PET imaging to explore how a Stellate Ganglion Block—a simple nerve block—may calm overactive brain regions and improve daily function in people living with PTSD. By unlocking the brain’s response to trauma, we aim to uncover how this treatment works and offer new hope to those affected.

Kaela Blake, M.D.

Despite the prevalence of hernia repair, there is a significant lack of data regarding the optimal approach for treatment. It is crucial that we leverage research to identify more effective treatment strategies, reduce complications and improve patients' quality of life.

 Samantha Ehrlich, Ph.D.

Physical activity is a key non-pharmacological strategy for managing hyperglycemia (or elevated glucose levels) during pregnancy. The Time to Move Randomized Crossover Trial is investigating whether physical activity performed in morning time versus evening time is more effective for managing glucose levels in individuals with pregnancy hyperglycemia

Joseph Jackson, Ph.D.

Systemic amyloidosis represents a family of diseases in which misfolded proteins form amyloid fibrils that accumulate in organs, causing dysfunction and severe health issues. Current treatments slow down amyloid accumulation but do not specifically remove deposits formed prior to treatment. This study explores how collagen protects amyloid from removal by the immune system and proposes strategies to degrade this molecule to enhance amyloid clearance, potentially improving treatment outcomes.

David Grant, Nicole Lattimore, , Roberto Fernandez-Romero, Ryan Wilson

Despite major advances in our understanding of different aspects of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), the actual cause of the disease is elusive due to its multifactorial nature. In our research, we attempt to create a comprehensive characterization of AD by integrating multiple methodologies while tracking disease progression over time.

Trevor J. Hancock, Ph.D.

Pharmaceutical control of bleeding often involves anticoagulants like warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), and heparin. Some instances require reversal of these blood thinners (such as: cardiopulmonary bypass, surgery, and critical bleeding). Heparin's effects can be reversed with protamine, but protamine has significant drawbacks, including potentially lethal adverse effects and failure to neutralize all forms of heparin. To address this, we are developing a new class of heparin-binding peptides as a safer and more effective alternative to protamine.

Rajiv Dhand, M.D.

This study compares long-acting and short-acting bronchodilators in hospitalized COPD patients to determine their safety and effectiveness during exacerbations. This study addresses the limited data on the use of long-acting bronchodilators for hospitalized COPD exacerbations, a treatment area traditionally dominated by short-acting therapies. By comparing both treatment options, the study helps fill a critical knowledge gap and may guide future treatment strategies for improving patient care during COPD exacerbations.

Tom Masi, Ph.D.

The work presented describes the use of adult stem cells, from abdominal fat, to heal significant bone injuries as well as their use to develop a more economic model for studying human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) latency. Advancement of knowledge in these areas benefit human patients by returning them to normal form and function in addition to prevention of serious disease among individuals with weakened immune systems.

Qiang He, PhD, Chenyang Wang, Jennifer Ferris, MS, and Rajiv Dhand, MD

Health care associated infections (HAIs) are a significant threat to patient safety and quality of care. Insight gained from this study facilitates the development of effective strategies for the prevention and mitigation of the risk of HAIs arising from exposure to microbial contamination during nebulization therapy, such as targeted elimination of potential sources of contamination.

Shauntá M. Chamberlin, PharmD, FCCP, Bill Dabbs M.D., Grace Saxon M.D.

The UT Department of Family Medicine Knoxville research program focuses on exploring innovative strategies to enhance patient access and outcomes through a holistic approach that integrates education into patient care. By combining progressive research with compassionate practice, we strive to empower patients, improve health literacy and ultimately achieve better outcomes for all.

Hunter White, M.D.

The Colon and Rectal Surgery Division of University of Tennessee Medical Center has partnered with the University of Tennessee Biomedical Engineering Department to design and create a novel, one-of-a-kind bowel stent which could significantly improve patient outcomes, reduce morbidity and mortality associated with colon surgery, and reduce hospital costs. 

Nikki Zite, MD, Jill Maples, Ph.D. Megan L. Young, Kaylee Ramage, Zuha Khan, W. Sam Havron, Patricia Roberson, Ph.D. Amy Alspaugh, Alicia Mastronardi, Eric Heidel, Ph.D.

This team explores how policy and information about contraceptive options impact access, utilization, and clinical outcomes on a local, state, and national level. Additionally, the team has created and evaluated contraceptive education tools to help patients make the best contraception choices aligned with their personal desires and family planning goals.

Christina Sue Glenn, M.D.

Appalachian counties in the US have more people diagnosed with lung cancer and more people who die from lung cancer than any other part of the country. Our research aims to understand why patients in East Tennessee have such a high burden of lung cancer and such high rates of death after diagnosis. Our research focuses on  the many different factors that influence development of lung cancer and outcomes after diagnosis. Our goal is to use our research be able to design a comprehensive lung cancer program that works most effectively in East Tennessee to save the lives of Tennesseans affected by lung cancer. We plan to use information gained through our research to change health behaviors, remove barriers to care and subsequently improve early detection and outcomes following lung cancer diagnosis.

Jill Maples PhD, Larry Kilgore MD, Kimberly Fortner MD, Nikki Zite MD, Courtney Riedinger MD, Kristopher Kimball MD, Lina Reyes-Fontalvo MD, Emily Olatt, Rebecca Purvis MD

A better understanding of human metabolism and the health benefits of physical activity could inform every specialty in medicine. In the PAM lab we focus on generating evidence to inform clinical counseling and positively impact health specifically among two clinical populations: 1) pregnant patients and 2) patients with gynecologic cancer.

Jonathan Boone, M.D., and Savanah Allen, MS

Many side effects of chemotherapy negatively affect the treatment course and patient quality of life. We hope to increase the knowledge that lifestyle modifications like a fasting diet may be able to help manage chemotherapy side effects.

James McLoughlin, M.D.

The Research Enterprise Data Warehouse (rEDW) is a collaboration among UTHSC hospitals (including UTMC) across the state of Tenn. This is a feasibility study to determine if the data stored in the warehouse is reliable to predict surgical outcomes.

John Griepentrog, M.D.

High-quality biospecimens and the associated clinic data from traumatically injured patients are important for translational and basic science research. This biobank allows for clinical trials to be conducted that target treatment discovery, and the development of biomarkers based upon specific patient and disease attributes.

Dustin Osborne, Ph.D., Derek Cressy, Ph.D., Murthy Akula, Ph.D.

Neurodegeneration is present as a factor of aging or associated with diseases like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. Racetams are a class of nootropic compound that allosterically modulate AMPA/GABA receptors. We are developing a series of radiolabeled racetams to see if these imaging agents might be helpful in the assessment of neurodegeneration and prediction of cognitive decline.

Andrew Wofford, M.D.

To better understand the socioeconomic and technological barriers to telemedicine use in rural populations, our group conducted a survey comparing rural to non-rural urology clinic populations.

Christopher J Rogers, PharmD

Heart failure prevalence rates are projected to increase by 46% by 2030. Several studies have demonstrated that there are barriers in fully implementing the main four classes of medicine used to treat heart failure. This study evaluated the impact a heart failure pharmacist has in optimizing medication regimens for patients with heart failure. 

Michael Karlstad, PhD, Sam Dupuy, Maggie Watkins, Ruhaan Shah

Breast cancer patients and their family caregivers experience many stressors during treatment (financial stress, physical burden, relationship distress, negative physician communication). Using their words, we share how these stressors combined with positive factors (family support, positive health care experiences) impact their wellbeing ultimately showing us pathways to better serve our patients.

Logan Riley, M.D.

Our lab is studying the bacteria found in the vagina during pregnancy to determine how the health of the microbiome can improve pregnancy outcomes. 

Christopher Brett, MD, MBA, DABR

This trial leverages artificial intelligence, personal health history, and environmental risk data to identify radiation therapy patients at highest risk of missing cancer treatment, and pairs them with a personal navigator to help identify and overcome obstacles to care.