February 13, 2017

Interim Dean John Hunter recognized the faculty with dual appointments in the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System and the OHSU School of Medicine for a record year in outside research as part of his Feb. 7 State of the School Address.

VA Portland is ranked seventh nationally in total research funding. The 89 SoM/VA dual-appointed faculty generated more than $37.7 million in outside research support last fiscal year, the highest ever.

In addition, they published 396 research articles and mentored 14 investigators on career development awards.

"The School of Medicine is no stranger to partnerships. One of our richest and longest-standing partnerships has been with the VA Portland Health Care System," Dr. Hunter said in his address. "I want to acknowledge and thank Mike Davey for fostering this rich partnership." 

Michael P. Davey, M.D., Ph.D., is a professor of medicine and of molecular microbiology and immunology in the OHSU School of Medicine and the associate chief of staff for research and development at the VA Portland Health Care System.

Angela Ozburn, Ph.D., a research biologist at the VA and assistant professor of behavioral neuroscience in the OHSU School of Medicine was awarded a VA Career Development Award (CDA2). She is working to develop new therapies for alcohol use disorders.

"The VA Portland Health Care System and OHSU provide a number of amazing opportunities for formal and informal interactions between a diverse group of scientists and clinicians," Dr. Ozburn said. "My dual appointment allows me to conduct cutting-edge basic science and translational research in an intellectually stimulating and collaborative environment. It's a wonderful opportunity."

Dr. Ozburn was recruited from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center by John Crabbe, Ph.D., Bob Hitzemann, Ph.D., and Dr. Davey. Dr. Crabbe is a professor of behavioral neuroscience, OHSU School of Medicine, and a senior research career scientist at the VA. In 2015, Dr. Ozburn nominated Dr. Crabbe for the Research Society on Alcoholism Marlatt Mentorship Award. He won.

Dr. Ozburn has also found a strong sense of community with other Native American colleagues who reached out soon after she arrived.

"The support here is at the grassroots level and so authentic and genuine," she said. "It really means a lot to me."

In another honor awarded to the VA Portland, James Henry, Ph.D., professor of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery in the OHSU School of Medicine and research career scientist at the VA, has just been awarded the 2017 Jerger Career Award for Research in Audiology from the American Academy of Audiology. 

The award is presented annually to an individual with a distinguished research career in audiology and/or hearing sciences. Dr. Henry, a member of the National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research located at the VA Portland, is best known for the development of a multidisciplinary treatment program for tinnitus. 

In addition, a new video (embedded below) produced by the OHSU School of Medicine about the Center for Radiochemistry Research features the work of Rebecca Spain, M.D., M.S.P.H., assistant professor of neurology in the OHSU School of Medicine and associate director of clinical affairs at the Multiple Sclerosis Center for Excellence West with the VA, and William Hoffman, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry in the OHSU School of Medicine and staff psychiatrist, Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences Division, VA Portland Health Care System.

Pictured: Angela Ozburn, Ph.D., is a research biologist at the VA Portland Health Care System and assistant professor of behavioral neuroscience, OHSU School of Medicine.