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Searching for the genetic origins of a debilitating skin disease
Chris Sayed, a dermatologist at the UNC School of Medicine, has spent much of his career focused on what he calls "the worst and most common disease you've never heard of." Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a skin condition that manifests as painful lumps, abscesses, and scarring that can be unbearably uncomfortable. Originally thought to affect relatively few people, many experts now believe millions of Americans likely have HS. Yet the lack of research on the disease means that we don't fully understand what causes it and dermatologists have few good options to help patients.
As a full-time clinician, Sayed didn't have the funding or resources to undertake a study on the fundamental science of a mysterious illness. So, he turned to NC TraCS and used a TraCS pilot grant to kickstart his research career—and get closer to the day when he and other dermatologists have better ways to help those quietly suffering from HS.
InsideTraCS — with Alicia Bilheimer
Alicia Bilheimer, MPH, is the director of Engaged Science at NC TraCS. In her role, she oversees the Patient and Community Engagement in Research (PaCER) program and provides strategic direction to other NC TraCS programs and services in their work related to inclusive and engaged research. We recently spoke with Bilheimer about what drives her to prioritize communities in research, and barriers she's encountered in building partnerships between researchers and the community.
Community feedback: plotting the future of pediatric IBD research
Michael Kappelman, a pediatric gastroenterologist at the UNC School of Medicine, recently kicked off a $14.4 million PCORI-funded study to finally get some data on the comparative safety and effectiveness of various IBD treatments in children. But before that study was funded, Kappelman wanted to make sure he was asking the right questions by organizing a series of community feedback sessions through the PaCER program at NC TraCS.
Let’s talk about sex: AI-driven chatbot addresses taboo subjects
For Kandyce Brennan, DNP, a clinical assistant professor at UNC School of Nursing, the need for better contraception counseling is clear—but Brennan also recognizes that it needs to be provided in more equitable ways. Many experts, including Brennan, believe that technology can help solve this problem. With support from TraCS, Brennan has been developing an AI-driven tool known as SARHAchat.
Owen Fenton is exploring the possibilities of genetic medicine
The human genetic code contains the instructions needed to make a vast array of molecules, each with a role in our body's complex machinery. In total, around 20,000 protein-coding genes are written into the human genome, keeping us alive and making us who we are. To Owen Fenton, a TraCS K12 scholar, those 20,000 genes also provide an opportunity for improving people's health.
Advancing the research agenda at UNC-Chapel Hill
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