Medical research is a vital part of the mission at the Quillen College of Medicine. Our scientists are actively researching the biological bases of medical and psychiatric disorders that reduce the quality of life of the people of our region and beyond. The faculty, staff and students of our institution are expeditiously engaged in research to develop novel treatments and cures for numerous disorders and diseases. QCOM scientists engage in research on a wide variety of medical research problems, but areas of particular focus include disorders that affect the cardiovascular system, the immune system, and the nervous system including the brain.
Another often overlooked yet critically important aspect of research at Quillen is its contribution to the education of our students. Through exposure to and engagement in our research programs, students (undergraduate, graduate, and medical students) develop their critical thinking skills, improve their ability to communicate scientific information, build self-confidence, and learn to question “medical dogma”. These important skills help them become better health professionals.
Congratulations to the Recipient of the 2025 Quillen Research Enhancement Grant Award!
Alex Hopke, Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Project Title: The characterization of neutrophil swarming responses to fungal pathogens in diabetes
Proposed Research Project: In this proposal, we will test the hypothesis that fungal hyphae are uniquely susceptible to neutrophil swarming and that defects in swarming responses in diabetic patients contribute to their susceptibility to fungal infections, like those that cause mucormycosis. Invasive infections caused by fungi are a serious public health threat in immune-compromised patients, including those with diabetes. By characterizing the immune responses necessary to control fungi and how they are compromised during diseases like diabetes, we expect to highlight targets for the development of novel therapies to protect these and possibly other at-risk patient populations.
Award Amount: $25,000
ETSU Research Facilities
Seminars
College of Medicine
- Department of Biomedical Sciences Internal Seminars
- Department of Biomedical Sciences External Seminars
College of Arts & Sciences/College of Public Health