Caitlin McNamara, MD received a Star Research award and the Bronze Award for her project entitled, “Longitudinal Functional Outcomes in Abusive Head Trauma Versus Accidental Traumatic Brain Injury.” This study demonstrated that patients who experienced abusive head trauma had consistent and persistent worse outcomes, particularly in sensory and communication, compared to accidental traumatic brain injury. This suggests targets for rehabilitation as well as recommends future research into the treatment of abusive head trauma as there has been no improvement in outcomes over time. Of note, Dr. McNamara’s work was the third highest scoring abstract out of 1500 submissions to the Society of Critical Care Congress.
Jeremy Herrmann, MD received a Star Research award for his work titled, “FGF21 Therapy Attenuates Ischemia-Mediated Downregulation of Neuroprotective RBM3 in Newborn Mice.” Dr. Herrmann studied the cold shock protein Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF21) as a novel neuroprotectant in the Rice Vannucci model of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. He showed that bolus administration of FGF21 decreased markers of cell death and attenuated the loss of the neuroprotectant RNA-Binding Motif 3 in newborn mice. His work, mentored by Patrick Kochanek (Safar Director) and Travis Jackson (Associate Professor of Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology at the University of South Florida) is part of an overarching research plan aimed at translating FGF21 as a neuroprotective therapy from the bench to the bedside. Star awards were given to the highest scoring 64 trainee abstracts.
A hearty congratulations to both Cait and Jeremy!