Professor Katz appointed as Interim Director the University of Missouri Canine Genetics Laboratory
Professor Gary S. Johnson, founding director of the University of Missouri Canine Genetics Laboratory passed away in January of 2024. Upon Dr. Johnson’s death, Prof. Martin Katz, a long time collaborator and friend, was appointed as Interim Director. Prof. Katz will carry on Dr. Johnson’s legacy of identifying the genetic basis of inherited disorders in dogs and providing genetic testing for canine hereditary disorders.
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Grace Robinson awarded research grant from Phi Zeta Veterinary Honor Society
Grace Robinson, a neurosciences doctoral student in the NDRL, was awarded a research grant from the Phi Zeta Veterinary Honor Society in December of 2019 to support her research project, “Immunofluorescence labeling to determine distribution of TPP1 in two therapies that result in TPP1 production.”
Grace Robinson presented her research at the Fall 2019 Research Blitz Seminar at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri.
In October 2019 Grace, an NDRL PhD student in the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, presented her research on developing therapies for CLN2 disease to undergraduate students and faculty at Truman State University.
Professor Katz received the 2016 University of Missouri School of Medicine Excellence in Research Mentoring of Junior Faculty Award.
The award was presented to Prof. Katz at the 2016 Annual School of Medicine Research Day in recognition of his many years of mentoring junior faculty in developing their research skills.
Christopher Tracy presented research at the Truman State University Biology Department’s Friday Seminar series in Kirksville, MO.
On September 11, 2015, Christopher, an NDRL PhD student in the Genetics Area Program presented his dissertation research and answered questions regarding graduate school at the University of Missouri and in general alongside four other current Mizzou graduate students who obtained their undergraduate education at Truman State.
Whiting awarded $60,000 grant from Knights Templar Eye Foundation for Batten disease research
Rebecca Whiting, PhD, research assistant professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Missouri School of Medicine, was awarded a $60,000 Pediatric Ophthalmology Career-starter Grant to study new treatment options for Batten disease, an inherited disorder that causes vision loss in children as well as brain degeneration.
The grant was presented to Whiting by Russell Hanson and Harold Coots of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation on May 29 during the Department of Ophthalmology’s 22nd Annual Scientific Session as part of Resident and Alumni Weekend.
“The support of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation will be instrumental in helping us study ways to improve the lives of children with Batten disease, in particular by developing approaches to prevent the progressive vision loss that occurs in this disease,” Whiting said. “I’m grateful for the trust and support of the foundation to combat this rare, but very serious, nervous system and retinal disorder.”
The Knights Templar Eye Foundation places importance on the development of junior scientists, and the research enabled by this grant will not only benefit children with Batten disease, but will enable Whiting to establish herself as an independent investigator.
The award check was presented on May 29 at the 2015 Mason Eye Institute annual Resident and Alumni Weekend (see photo above). From left: Russell Hanson, representative of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation; Rick Fraunfelder, MD, chair of the Department of Ophthalmology; Rebecca Whiting, PhD, research assistant professor; Martin Katz, PhD, professor of ophthalmology; and Harold Coots, representative of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation.
Rebecca Katz Awarded a Summer Fellowship at Princeton University.
Rebecca Katz, a Student Research Assistant in the lab during her term breaks from Knox College, has been accepted to participate in Princeton University’s Molecular Biophysics Undergraduate Summer Research program funded by the National Sciences Foundation (NSF). She will participate in the program from June through August 2015 during which she will engage in a research project in chemistry.
Rebecca Whiting Awarded a PhD in Biological Engineering.
Rebecca Whiting was awarded a PhD in Biological Engineering from the University of Missouri at a graduation ceremony in May, 2013. She was hooded by Professor Katz, one of her dissertation mentors. Rebecca’s doctoral dissertation is entitled “Pupillary Light Reflex Deficits in a Canine Model of Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis and the Effects of Enzyme Replacement Therapy.” Rebecca will help to train others in the techniques she has developed before moving on to a year in New Zealand.
Congratulations Rebecca!
Jacob Taylor received honors from the Division of Biological Sciences.
Jacob, who has been assisting with research in the NDRL for the past several years, was honored by the University of Missouri Division of Sciences in May of 2013 with an award of Honors Distinction in Biological Sciences. He also received the John I. Hardy Outstanding Senior Award. The Hardy Award is given to “one or more outstanding seniors in Biological Sciences. These Scholars are recognized for their academic achievements, the quality of their independent research projects, and their extracurricular contributions to the Division and to the University.”
Brittanie Dougherty awarded a Hughes Research Fellowship.
Brittanie, a freshman undergraduate who joined the NDRL in fall of 2012 has been awarded a Hughes Research Fellowship to support her continued participation in the research in the research on neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. The award will enable Brittanie to work full time in the laboratory over the summer of 2013 and through the next academic year. Congratulations Brittanie!
NDRL members participated in the 2013 Trivia Night fundraiser for the Heart of America chapter of the Batten Disease Support & Research Association.
On March 8 a group from the NDRL formed a team to compete in the annual Trivia Night organized by the local chapter of the BDSRA. Although we did not do that well correctly answering the trivia questions, we had a great time and were glad to lend our support to the organization.
Molly Williams gives birth to a daughter!
Molly gave birth to her first child, Edrie Ann Widmer on February 26. Edrie Ann Widmer was born on February 26, 2013 at 5:35pm weighing 6lbs and 12oz. Congratulations Molly!
Alyssa Bujnak Awarded University of Missouri College of Arts and Sciences Scholarship
February, 2013. Alyssa Bujank, an undergraduate student in the NDRL assisting with studies on a canine model of amytotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was awarded a $1,000 Ada Mae Clough Scholarship from the University of Missouri College of Arts and Sciences. Congratulations Alyssa!
Therapy for Batten Disease being evaluated by the NDRL is on its way to testing in children
In a January 22, 2013 article in the San Francisco Business Times it was reported that a treatment for the CLN2 form of Batten disease will soon undergo testing in children by BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. The treatment, enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), was tested in a dog model of Batten disease by the NDRL working in collaboration with BioMarin. The results with the dogs were very promising. We hope that our work translates into an effective treatment for children suffering from this terrible disease.
NDRL students presented research at the 2012 Missouri Life Sciences Week in Columbia from April 16 through April 18, 2012
https://scixchange.missouri.edu/
http://lifesciencesweek.missouri.edu/
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| Rebecca Whiting, a graduate student in the NDRL presents her research at a poster session at Life Sciences Week on April 16, 2012. | Jacob Taylor, an undergraduate student in the NDRL presents his research at a poster session at Life Sciences Week on April 16, 2012. |
Awards
- Brandie Morgan, a former doctoral student in the lab was awarded a 2012 Phi Zeta grant from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. Brandie also won the “Best Overall” award for an oral presentation of her research at the 35th Annual College of Veterinary Medicine Phi Zeta Research Day in the intern, resident or graduate student category (http://vetmed.missouri.edu/news/PhiZetaDay2012.htm)
https://frontdesk.cjbrown.com
Brandie is currently employed as a PhD Research Scientist at ABC Labs in Columbia, MO. - Jacob Taylor, an undergraduate student in the lab was awarded a $1,000 Outstanding Student scholarship from the University of Missouri College of Arts and Sciences for spring 2012. Jacob also won an honorable mention award for his research presentation at the University of Missouri Life Sciences Week (http://lifesciencesweek.missouri.edu/).
Jacob is currently a medical student at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. - Dr. Fred Wininger won the “Young Investigator Award” for his presentation at the 13th International Conference on Neuronal Ceroid held in London in March, 2012 (http://www.ncl2012.org/).
Dr. Wininger is now in private practice at Veterinary Specialty Services, Manchester, MO (http://vssstl.com/).
NDRL team presented research at the 13th International Conference on Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses held in London, England from March 28 through March 31, 2012
Information on the meeting, including the program, can be found at http://www.ncl2012.org. Members from our group in attendance at the meeting were Christine Sibigtroth, Martin Katz, Fred Wininger, and Joan Coates. Dr. Sibitroth was awarded a travel fellowship from the organizing committee to partially support the costs of her attendance at this meeting. Prof. Fred Wininger won a prize for the best presentation by a young investigator.
NDRL staff and colleagues attended a Trivia Night fundraiser for the Heart of America chapter of the Batten Disease Support and Research Association on February 24, 2012
On February 24 members of the NDRL lab and our research collaborators from the University of Missouri participated in a Trivia Night in Columbia, Missouri to help raise funds to support Batten Disease research. The event was organized by Ron and Lugine Hein (standing behind their son Austin who suffers from juvenile Batten Disease). Research team members in attendance included (from left to right) Dennis O’Brien, Marty Katz, Christy Sibigtroth, Joan Coates, and Corinne Mann.