Taubman Scholar Dr. Charles Burant hosts obesity symposium
Ann Arbor, Mich. – More than 150 participants attended lectures on obesity-related research topics at the 6th annual symposium hosted Wednesday in Ann Arbor by the Nutrition Obesity Research Center and the Michigan Metabolomics and Obesity Center (MMOC) at the University of Michigan.
Dr. Charles Burant, head of the MMOC and a Taubman Scholar research scientist, hosted the day-long event at Palmer Commons on the university campus. The A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute was among the event sponsors.
Seven scientists presented on topics ranging from “Foraging, Economics and Obesity” to “Adipose Tissue and the Inflammatory Response to Obesity” to “Quantitative Assessment in Obesigenic Lifestyles in the Small and Furry.”
“The symposium was a great success; we had our largest attendance ever,” said Burant, who noted attendee comments praising the selection and quality of speakers, including: “Just wanted to tell you that the selection of speakers, the quality of their presentations, and the range of topics was really great this year” and “That one of the best set of talks I’ve seen.”
A poster session featured 37 exhibitors, Burant said. “The interaction between the speakers and the trainees was really appreciated.”
Burant is the University of Michigan’s Robert C. and Veronica Atkins Professor of Metabolism, a professor of Internal Medicine and Molecular and Integrative Physiology and director of the U-M Metabolomics and Obesity Center.
He is studying new approaches to understanding and treating obesity. His research utilizes metabolomics, the measurement of small molecules (metabolites) in biological samples. Burant hopes to understand which metabolites play a role in signaling the brain that enough food has been eaten, providing a tool to preventing or treating obesity.
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Taubman Emerging Scholars Program
Request for applications
Applications are being accepted for the Taubman Institute Emerging Scholars Program.
The applicant must be a junior member of the faculty at the University of Michigan; generally, that means holding an assistant professor title. The applicant must have either an M.D. or an M.D./Ph.D. It is required that candidates both conduct basic research and treat patients.
Applicants should submit a two-to-three page research proposal, as well as a current CV. Priority will be given to proposals involving translational research. Please submit material to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The deadline is May 7, 2012.
Young Friends host festive NYC fundraiser
Reception introduced scholar candidate Dr. Parag Patil
About 125 supporters of cutting-edge medical research mixed socializing and science May 9 at a cocktail party in Manhattan hosted by the Young Friends of the Taubman Institute's New York City chapter.
The event introduced Dr. Parag Patil, a University of Michigan physician-researcher and a prospective Young Friends Emerging Scholar. Here's a clip from Dr. Patil's appearance on the TV program "The Doctors," where he demonstrates how deep-brain stimulation has helped a patient with Parkinson's disease.
Emerging Scholars are early-career clinician-scientists who show great promise in research aimed at new cures or treatments; through the Taubman Institute, donors support them with three-year grants while their labs earn the credentials to win broader funding support.
The Young Friends event, which raised a significant contribution toward the Emerging Scholars program, was held at the ABC Carpet & Home showrooms at 888 Broadway, Attendees enjoyed cocktails, appetizers, a silent auction and a presentation by Dr. Patil. The silent auction included jewelry, fashion items, a Botox consultation and treatment, Morgan Hotel Group rooms and the opportunity to bid on a meeting and photo with former President William Jefferson Clinton.
Taubman Research
Dr. Max Wicha: Some treatments actually increase cancer stem cells
Avastin and Sutent have been found to increase the growth of breast cancer stem cells in mice, according to Taubman Scholar Dr. Max Wicha, director of the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center.
