Primary Appointment

Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment

I enjoy teaching and mentoring others. In addition, part of the role as Department Chair, is mentoring faculty. I have routinely lectured to various groups on internal medicine topics in cancer patients. I have regularly participated as a preceptor in the University of Texas Health Science Center sophomore medical student course, Introduction to Clinical Medicine. I have also annually participated as a faculty mentor for high school or college students in our institutional Summer Research Program and the statewide sponsored Internal Medicine Summer Preceptorship for medical students. In addition, we also regularly host medical observers that rotate through our department, and I have had significant interactions and teaching through this program. Most recently our division has initiated a program with Texas A&M and a number of their senior medical students have selected electives through our department and spent time with our faculty and me during the past year. Because of our success, we now have junior medical students from Texas A&M rotating with our faculty as part of their medicine core curriculum. We also have physician assistant students rotating with our faculty as part of their training program.

 We also have a GIM fellowship program. Four fellows completed the program. This is a clinical research fellowship structured to develop and refine clinical research skills following internal medicine training. Each fellow has a clinical research project that is ongoing and led primarily by them with faculty supervision. One of the fellows worked with me and led a VTE clinical project. I plan to continue our educational endeavors and expect the department’s educational activities will continue to expand. 

  Ongoing Research Support

PA11-0480 - Cancer-Related FAtigue (CRF) Clinic Retrospective Study: Reporting on PRO Data Captured Via Tablet Computer

The purpose of this study is to describe our current patients, the results of their clinical evaluations, and their CRF-related outcomes. Patients to be included in this study were seen at the CRF Clinic after the clinic began using a tablet computer (i.e., iPad) for patients to use in completing their standard clinical assessments. 

 PA11-0480 - Retrospective Study: Bevacizumab-Induced Hypertension in Cancer Patients

As cancer therapy continues to rapidly advance, patients are experiencing serious side effects from newer treatments. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors are one of the newer therapies used to treat multiple cancers. Bevacizumab was the first VEGF inhibitor approved in the United Sates for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with chemotherapy. Hypertension (HTN), proteinuria and acute kidney injury (AKI) are some of the main side-effects of VEGF inhibitors. Our underlying hypothesis is that the management of blood pressure (BP) in the setting of VEGF inhibitor therapy will reduce the complications associated with HTN as well as maintain anticancer treatment.

 Pending IRB approval

PA12-0557- Retrospective Study: Axitinib-Induced Hypertension in Cancer Patients

The specific aims of the study : Aim 1: To evaluate the frequency coordinated with practice patterns of axitinib-induced HTN in cancer patients (time to need first anti-HTN agent, type and number of anti-HTN agents used and success of management of HTN during and following treatment with axitinib). Aim 2: To assess the frequency of TKI dose reduction, withdrawal and delay in treatment of the malignancy due to HTN, proteinuria and/or acute kidney injury (AKI). Aim 3: To determine the time course for resolution of TKI-induced HTN, proteinuria and/or AKI upon completion of axitinib treatment. Titration of the anti-HTN is frequently necessary once the blood pressure begins to normalize.  Typically, patients may be on multiple anti-HTN agents and require reduction of these agents so hypotensive symptoms do not occur.Aim 4: To assess if the development of HTN is a predictor of the patients’ clinical outcome: complete remission, incomplete response or disease progression in patients with RCC undergoing treatment with axitinib.

 PA12-0556 Retrospective Study: Vandetanib-Induced Hypertension in Cancer Patients

In April 2011, the FDA approved the use of the TKI vandetanib for the treatment of symptomatic or progressive medullary thyroid cancer. HTN is one of the most commonly reported treatment-related adverse events of vandetanib occurring in up to 33% of patients, and with grades 3 and 4, up to 9%. Renal adverse reactions include increased creatinine (16%) and proteinuria (10%). Our underlying hypothesis is that the management of blood pressure (BP) and proteinuria in the setting of antiangiogenic agents therapy will reduce the complications associated with HTN as well as maintain anticancer treatment.

 2009-0683, 2009 − present. Cephalon, Inc. “Nuvigil in Treatment of Cancer-Related Fatigue in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) on Imatinib, Dasatinib and Nilotinib,". Principal Investigator.

Completed Research Support

ID00-372, 2003−2011. McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals. “A Randomized, Double-Blind, Two-period, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial of Sustained Release Methyphenidate in the Treatment of Fatigue in Breast Cancer Patients”. The goal of the study is to determine if Nuvigil decreases fatigue levels in chronic myeloid leukemia patients. Principal Investigator.

 2008-0628, 2008−2011. Eisai, Inc. “Fragmin Treatment Study in Patients with Malignancies and Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolism”. The goal of the study is to determine if Concerta decreases fatigue levels in this patient population. Principal Investigator.

 2010-0066, 2009-2011, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. “Collaborative Group Clinics for Cancer Survivors”. The goal of this project was to develop and pilot test a novel method of healthcare delivery in women with chronic fatigue who have survived cancer. Co-Principal Investigator

2006-0458, 2006-2010. Bristol-Myers Squibb. “A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study of Apixaban for the Prevention of Thromboembolic Events in Patients Undergoing Treatment for Advanced Cancer: A Phase 2 Pilot Study”. The goal of this project was to determine if Apixaban helps prevent VTE in patients with advanced cancer. Principal Investigator.

 2007-0232, 2007-2009. Sigma Tau Research. “Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Multi-Center Study to Determine the Safety and Efficacy of Oral Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ACL) Administration to Non-Anemic Potentially Curable Breast Cancer Subjects”. The goal of the study was to determine if ACL improves fatigue levels in cancer patients. Principal Investigator.

 2004-0107, 6-2005 to 5-2006. Ladies Leukemia League. “Effect of Tight Control of Blood Glucose during Hyper-CVAD Chemotherapy for Acutr Lymphocytic Leukemia”.  The goal of the study was to determine if tight control of blood glucose in hyper-CVAD chemotherapy in ALL decreases relapse and improves survival. Collaborator.

 2006-0348, 2003 to 2004. SCIOS Inc. “The Use of Nesiritide in the Management of Acute Diastolic Heart Failure”. The goal of the study was to determine if Nesiritide improves diastolic heart failure. Collaborator.

 4-2006 to 12-2006. NIOSH. “Determination of Antineoplastic Drug Exposure in Healthcare Workers”. The goal of the study was to determine if healthcare workers were exposed to significant amounts of antineoplastic drugs. Principal Investigator.

 ID00-078, 6-2000 to 10-2004. Pharmacia & Upjohn Grant. “Outpatient Treatment of Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) using Subcutaneous Dalteparin (Fragmin) in Low Risk Cancer Patients”. The goal of the study was to determine if Fragmin is effective for treatment of DVT in low risk cancer patients. Principal Investigator.

 2000 to 2003. Yamaha Corp. “Exploring the Use of Octaphonic Sound for Reducing Treatment – Related Distress in Cancer Therapy”. The goal of the study was to determine if the use of Octaphonic sound reduced distress in cancer patients on treatment. Co-Principal Investigator.

 RCR01-196, 1-2002 to 12-2002. Ortho Biotech Grant. “Identification of Clinical factors Associated with Severe Fatigue in Cancer Patients Seeking Acute Care.”  The goal of the study was to determine the clinical factors associated with severe cancer-related fatigue seeking care in the emergency center. Principal Investigator.

Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities

Last updated: 2/20/2013