College of Human Medicine recruits leading cancer researchers Jeff and Jenny Klomp
On a sunny morning this past June, scientists around the world woke up to news that could fundamentally change the game in cancer research and care. And two of the people behind that breakthrough are now working at Michigan State University.
Jenny Klomp, PhD, and Jeff Klomp, PhD, were recently recruited to the College of Human Medicine as assistant professors in the Department of Medicine. They began establishing their labs at the Grand Rapids Research Center in August.
MSU researcher identifies ways to reduce cancer risk among LGBTQIA+ people
Socioeconomic status, provider-patient relationships and rural living environments have been found to affect cancer screening behaviors for LBGTQIA+ individuals, according to a recent study from Callie Kluitenberg Harris, a doctoral candidate in the Michigan State University College of Nursing.
“With a better understanding of cancer screening discrepancies among sexual minorities, the probability of finding a cancer early is greatly enhanced and ultimately reduces the risk of death from a late-stage diagnosis,” Harris said.
MSU, Corewell Health mark 17-year partnership by adding $1M investment in exploratory research
For 17 years, the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and Corewell Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan, have funded more than $27 million in exploratory and developmental research projects that have brought together the clinical and scientific strengths of both institutions.
Now that partnership, known as the Corewell Health – MSU Alliance Corporation, is adding another $1 million to the total with a new round of grant funding that will help advance innovative treatments for patients.
Smarter blood tests from MSU researchers deliver faster diagnoses, improved outcomes
Medical professionals have long known that the earlier a disease is detected, the higher the chance for a better patient outcome. Now, a multidisciplinary team of Michigan State University researchers, in collaboration with experts from Karolinska Institute and the University of California, Berkeley, has pioneered a way to do just that. The new method takes a deeper look at the proteins in plasma and reveals biomarkers that enable researchers — and ultimately physicians — to detect diseases sooner.
“The ability to identify biomarkers advances medicine in two key ways,” said Morteza Mahmoudi, associate professor in the Department of Radiology and Precision Health Program in the MSU College of Human Medicine. “First, using a simple blood test, diseases can be identified and diagnosed earlier. That means faster treatment and better patient outcomes. Second, it helps clinicians choose the most effective treatment plan. For example, if a clinician knows at the very earliest stage of cancer that it’s metastatic, their approach to treating and managing the disease would be totally different than if they know the cancer is benign.”