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NJHF Funds Six CMSRU Research Projects to Improve Community Health Outcomes

May 15

 At Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU), our mission has always extended beyond the classroom and directly into the health and well-being of the wider community. We are proud to announce that six pioneering research projects led by CMSRU faculty have recently been awarded seed funding from the New Jersey Health Foundation (NJHF).

These grants are part of a larger initiative addressing urgent healthcare and biomedical needs. By funding early-stage research, the NJHF enables our investigators to collect essential preliminary data, pursue larger external grants, and, most importantly, advance innovative medical solutions toward clinical application.

Here is a look at how our newly funded projects are poised to make a tangible impact on public health:

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Tackling Aggressive Cancers

Cancer remains one of the most devastating health challenges facing our communities. Several CMSRU researchers are stepping up to explore novel therapies for complex and hard-to-treat tumors:

  • Colorectal Cancer: Weam Elbezanti, PhD, and Hong Young are investigating the profiling of epigenetic modifiers to identify new ways to treat peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal cancer.
  • Glioblastoma: Russell Buono, PhD, is working to optimize the delivery of a novel chemotherapeutic drug directly to human glioblastoma (brain) tumors using bacteria.
  • Breast Cancer: James Holaska, PhD, is evaluating mechanotransduction inhibitors as a potential breakthrough strategy to combat aggressive breast cancers.
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Combating Heart Disease

Heart failure heavily impacts community wellness and longevity. Eduard Dedkov, MD, PhD, is actively developing a novel therapeutic strategy designed to alleviate hypertension-induced diastolic heart failure. This research aims to significantly improve the quality of life for patients suffering from the cardiac complications of high blood pressure.

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Fighting "Superbugs" and Hospital-Acquired Infections

Protecting patients during hospital stays and fighting antibiotic resistance are critical public health priorities. Valerie Carabetta, PhD, is spearheading two vital projects to protect the community from dangerous pathogens:

  • Alongside Sebastian Vega, PhD, Dr. Carabetta is developing "AMPP Foley Catheters." These utilize pathogen-activated antimicrobial peptides to prevent Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI), a common and preventable hospital complication.
  • In a separate project, she is exploring the use of bacteriophages as a novel antimicrobial agent against Acinetobacter baumannii, a highly drug-resistant bacterium.

Doing Work That Matters

These six projects reflect CMSRU’s deep commitment to translational research by taking ideas from the lab bench directly to the patient's bedside. By addressing prevalent community health threats like cancer, heart disease, and drug-resistant infections, our researchers are not just advancing science. They are actively working to improve health outcomes, enhance patient safety, and save lives in Camden, throughout New Jersey, and beyond.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the New Jersey Health Foundation for their continued support in helping CMSRU move this vital, life-saving work forward. To read the full university announcement and learn about the other funded projects across Rowan University, view the original story on Rowan Today.