Clarivate Analytics, formerly part of Thomson Reuters, recently released its list of the most-cited researchers in the world for 2018. The analysis takes into account the number and impact of publications over an 11-year span across a variety of scientific and medical fields. We are extremely proud that one of our very own, Dominick Angiolillo, M.D., Ph.D., has made the list for the fifth consecutive year, with a citation count of more than 30,000. Angiolillo is a professor of medicine and director of cardiovascular research at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville.

Angiolillo is one of only 12 UF faculty who made the list. While this is a remarkable honor, more importantly, his research continues to advance the field of cardiology and result in better care and improved outcomes for our patients.

His research includes ongoing clinical trials that target stent-procedure patients. During appointments, his team conducts genetic tests to help determine if individual cardiovascular patients carry certain genes that make them less likely to metabolize clopidogrel, also known as Plavix. That medication is often prescribed to patients following the placement of coronary stents to reduce the risk of blood clots and heart attacks. When a certain gene is detected, an alternate treatment method is taken.

JAX-ASCENT reaches major milestone of 1,000 participants

Heartfelt congratulations go to the staff at the Jacksonville Aging Studies Center, or JAX-ASCENT, who have successfully enrolled more than 1,000 participants. The center now has the region’s largest registry of community-based research participants.

Kathleen Kiley, Patrice Alston, Angelia Hawkins and Rhonda Hill deserve special recognition for their tireless work to engage community members and obtain consents to participate. This is a tremendous accomplishment in such a short time. We appreciate all the hard work that has made this such a glowing success.

As a reminder, JAX-ASCENT participants form a registry of community-based individuals who have expressed interest in engaging in research investigations that span a variety of health-related issues. As such, they are not only provided the opportunity to participate in research studies, they are also given the chance to engage in workshop sessions to learn about ways to promote healthy aging, provide incredibly valuable feedback to researchers and network with others in their community.

As a reminder, JAX-ASCENT participants form a registry of community-based individuals who have expressed interest in engaging in research investigations that span a variety of health-related issues. As such, they are not only provided the opportunity to participate in research studies, they are also given the chance to engage in workshop sessions to learn about ways to promote healthy aging, provide incredibly valuable feedback to researchers and network with others in their community.

Members of this cohort are participating in a variety of studies, including an industry-sponsored investigation of a novel new treatment for age-related muscle mass loss. We look forward to providing more updates as we move along.

For more information about this clinical trial or to sign up for the registry, contact Jennifer Bowman at jennifer.bowman@jax.ufl.edu or 904.244.4690.

Following are updates from Tina Bottini, assistant dean for research administration and compliance.

The college is excited to participate in the recruitment of participants for the All of Us research program. This is a massive research-based initiative sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. The primary goal is to assemble data and biospecimens on a cohort of more than 1 million U.S. citizens across a wide variety of geographic regions and demographic backgrounds.

All of Us will represent the most valuable research resource our country has ever known. As such, it will fuel exciting research efforts for decades to come. Indeed, access to the samples and data collected as part of All of Us will allow researchers to more rapidly gain important insights into the biological, environmental and behavioral factors that influence the development and treatment of a wide variety of human diseases.

JAX-ASCENT will serve as the hub for the recruitment activities for the college. A robust recruitment campaign will begin soon, and we will communicate information about these opportunities as they become available.

All of Us is a major component of the precision medicine initiative, a new age of medicine in which researchers, providers and patients work together to develop more personalized care tailored to the needs of the individual patient.

Research is accelerating

Research drives improvements in medicine and population health. With Alexander Parker, Ph.D., in place as our senior associate dean for research and director of precision medicine, we have been on a fast track to capitalize on our campus’ momentum and further advance our research efforts.

We have partnered with college leadership to develop a research mission, establish core values, promote a culture of research and strengthen our alliance with the education and clinical missions. We have plans underway for a reorganization of the research enterprise that will include two integrated components — one focused on streamlining the operational aspects of research and the other designed to guide programmatic priorities and resources.

Without question, this is an exciting time for research on campus. There is a clear and present opportunity to position research as a driver of academic success and, much more importantly, better health and wellness for our patients and the community.