President's Message

A

cure for cancer. An antidote to addictions. Artificial organs for transplantation. A remedy to beat heart failure. A surefire stroke preventative. An Alzheimer’s drug with long-term effectiveness. If only…

Medical science has made enormous progress over the last 50 years, and it’s clear that we have all benefited from at least some of the diagnostics, and pharmaceuticals and other new therapies, that have enhanced our longevity and also the quality of those years. But in the last decade we have witnessed a great leap in the sophistication of technological equipment and know-how and, consequently, in scientific knowledge. The pace at which we acquire new knowledge continues to increase, while the time it takes to translate these basic science findings into new therapies diminishes.

There’s definitely a buzz of excitement in the air among the up-and-coming investigators at our health sciences university. This new generation of researchers is hitting its stride early, knowing its work will certainly make a difference — possibly very soon — since the route from “bench to bedside” is so much more direct than it was just 10 years ago. These talented individuals have fresh ideas and solid credentials, and are impressing even the more established scientists in their fields with their enthusiasm and the quality and originality of their work.

In this issue, you can read about their research interests, which range from telomeres to tobacco dependence, from the use of predatory bacteria to destroy biofilms to the role of microRNAs in cardiac enlargement and failure, from autophagy in cancer and aging to whether air pollutants trigger cardiovascular disease, from maternal stress, psychological trauma and sleep patterns of young children in the inner city to the effects of exercise on women with breast cancer, and more.

We are very proud to introduce you to this small segment of our up-and-coming research faculty, who, as you will see, represent the wide spectrum of UMDNJ’s initiatives in forging new possibilities in science.

Bruce C. Vladeck, PhD
Interim University President