News and Congratulations
The CTSC would like to congratulate alumni Carrie Johnston, MD, MS '20, and Grant Ellsworth, MD, MS '19 on receiving the Fund for the Future Award, sponsored by the Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine. Dr. Ellsworth's award will support advancing his research on Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Dr. Johnston will continue her research in HIV research and patient care, focusing on aging-related syndromes and co-morbid medical conditions in aging HIV patients.
Dr. Carrie Johnston completed her Master’s Degree in Clinical and Translational investigation in 2020 where her research examined “Mitochondrial DNA as a Marker of Aging-Related Phenotypes in Older People Living with HIV." She was mentored by a multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional team: Marshall Glesby, MD, PhD, Professor at WCM; Mark Brennan-Ing, PhD, Director for Research and Evaluation at Hunter College Center for Translational and Basic Research; and Mary E. Choi, MD, Professor of Medicine at WCM.
Dr. Ellsworth began the Master’s in Clinical and Translational Investigation Degree program in 2017 where his research focused on “Xpert HPV test as a screen for anal HSIL in HIV-infected women: analysis of stored specimens from AIDS Malignancy Consortium 084." He was mentored by Timothy Wilkin, MPH, MD, Associate Professor at WCM; Mithat Gonen, PhD, Chief of Biostatics Service at MSKCC; and Yi-Wei Tang, MD, PhD, Chief of Laboratory Medicines at MSKCC. Upon completing his Master's Degree in Clinical and Translational Investigation he was part of a team that successfully competed for a Pilot Award (as Co-Investigator) in July of 2020 entitled, “Liquid Biopsy Screening for HPV-associated Cancers in Persons Living with HIV."
The Fund for the Future program provides an initial year of funding to the recipient with a total funding maximum of $300,000. This funding is based upon academic progress and a competitive training award (such as an NIH K) application. Those awarded with the grant join the WDOM faculty every July.
The Master's Degree in Clinical Translational Investigation combines rigorous academics and strategic, practical skills, challenging students to apply scientific theory, concepts, methods, and innovative, team-oriented management to help solve complex biomedical and health issues.