UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

UTHealth Houston researchers received a $2.5M grant to study improving stroke outcomes by predicting which patients benefit most from endovascular therapy. They aim to develop a machine-learning tool using imaging and clinical data to predict brain tissue viability and outcomes, challenging current treatment tenets.

Piano lessons in a pilot program at Moffitt Cancer Center helped cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy maintain brain health, potentially improving executive function and mood. The study, led by Jennifer Bugos of USF, aims to determine optimal music training duration for cognitive benefits. Preliminary feedback is positive, with potential applications for COVID recovery.

FSU's Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases received $5 million in funding during its inaugural symposium, part of FSU's Discovery Days. The institute, launched in February, aims to advance research and precision medicine for rare diseases, with a focus on high-throughput sequencing technologies. State Rep. Adam Anderson, whose son died from a rare disorder, played a key role in establishing the institute.

Two UCF College of Medicine cancer researchers, Alicja Copik and Debbie Altomare, received $100,000 each from the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation to support their innovative breast cancer projects. Copik focuses on enhancing natural killer (NK) cells to fight cancer, while Altomare studies cellular pathways influencing cancer growth and immunity. This marks the first time two College of Medicine researchers have received the state cancer support in the same year.

Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Cancer Institute, approaching its 3-year anniversary, has achieved significant progress through innovative solutions, including a 3-year COC accreditation, Newsweek's top cancer hospital recognition, and the TGH-USF Health Precision Medicine Biorepository. The institute has recruited 22 physicians and 20 advanced practice providers, and integrated CareComm for improved patient care, reducing inefficiencies by $40 million. TGH has also expanded its radiation oncology program with new technologies like CyberKnife and TrueBeam, aiming for NCI designation within the decade.

Dr. Sinisa Dovat, a Penn State College of Medicine researcher, received a $4 million grant to advance pediatric oncology research, focusing on precision medicine for high-risk leukemia in Hispanic and Latino children.

In August 2024, the FDA made several decisions on new therapeutic agents, including approving Indapta Therapeutics’ g-NK cell therapy IDP-023 for progressive multiple sclerosis, Amneal Pharmaceuticals’ carbidopa/levodopa ER capsules IPX203 for Parkinson disease, and Medtronic’s deep brain stimulation technology for use during general anesthesia. The agency also granted fast track designation to Abata Therapeutics’ Treg therapy ABA-101 for progressive MS and [18F]PI-2620 tau-PET diagnostic for neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, the FDA cleared Clearmind Biomedical’s Neuroblade System for minimally invasive neurosurgery and granted priority review to SpringWorks Therapeutics’ mirdametinib for neurofibromatosis type 1-associated plexiform neurofibromas.

DM Clinical Research partners with Dr. Jai Munjampalli and Dr. Sara Samreena to establish an embedded clinical site in Shreveport, focusing on neurology, pain management, and sleep research.

Tampa General Hospital invests over $162M in USF Health to enhance patient care, education, and research. This marks a significant increase from previous investments, aiming to integrate services, recruit top providers, and boost the local economy. The partnership, effective Oct. 1, strengthens their long-standing collaboration since 1970, focusing on world-class care, workforce expansion, and research advancement.

Tampa General Hospital commits over $162M to USF Health to enhance their academic medicine partnership, aiming to boost collaboration, recruit providers, and advance research. This investment strengthens their 50-year affiliation, focusing on patient care, workforce expansion, and research advancements.