Health Research Core
The goal of the Health Research Core is to stimulate the
growth of expertise and engagement in clincial and translational research in North
Dakota.
Main Objectives
- Maintain our online interest, resource, and expertise matching system for the relevant
biomedical institutions
in North Dakota - Support pilot proposals from independent investigators and collaborative clinician/non-clinician teams
- Support developmental proposals from expert independent investigators
- Implement a mentored grant writing program for proposal awardees
Core Faculty
Steven Powell, MD - Core Lead
Dr. Steven Powell is a physician-scientist and practicing medical oncologist at Sanford Health. He is an active investigator in numerous clinical trials and operates a research laboratory studying novel immune therapies and pharmacodynamic biomarkers. Dr. Powell serves as Head of Enterprise Oncology Research at Sanford where he oversees all clinical cancer research activities. Part of his time is spent at the Sanford Fargo, ND site where he serves as a research mentor for fellows in hematology-oncology and early-stage investigators (ESIs). Dr. Powell has received numerous clinical research awards, including NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) Silver and Gold Certificates of Appreciation. Nationally, he serves on NCI and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) cancer research committees on head and neck cancer, immuno-oncology, and precision oncology. He also serves as a sub-investigator for Sanford’s UG1 NCORP and as an IAC member for the P30 Center for Cancer Biology Research grants. He is a frequent reviewer for NCI Head and Neck SPORE grants. His experience in the conduct of clinical trials makes him an excellent choice to lead the Health Research Core. Dr. Powell will be responsible for operational oversight of the HR Core. He will work closely with Drs. Brown-Borg (UND) and Venkatachalem (NDSU). The skills of the Lead and Co-Leads are complementary and final decisions for the Core will be determined as a team.
Holly Brown-Borg, PhD - Core Co-Lead
Dr. Holly Brown-Borg is a Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Assistant Dean for Gender Equity at UNDSMHS. She has extensive leadership experience organizing conferences, chairing NIH study sections, and serving as President of the American Aging Association (AGE) and Biological Sciences Chair of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). She presently serves on the NIH NIA Board of Scientific Counselors and the Board of AGE. Dr. Brown-Borg has extensive experience in mentoring ESIs serving on >40 graduate student committees, training medical and undergraduate students (>30), mentoring faculty, and serving on national panels supporting education/training including NIH K & T32 awards.
Sathish Venkatachalem - Core Co-Lead
Dr. Sathish Venkatachalem is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at North Dakota State University (NDSU). He serves as Co-Lead of the HR Core and will work closely with Drs. Powell and Brown-Borg in the management of the HR Core. The focus of Dr. Venkatachalem’s research is sex/gender differences in lung disease. He is highly experienced in pharmacy education, advising, training, and mentoring post-baccalaureate students through early-stage faculty. Dr. Venkatachalem served as a member for multiple NIH special emphasis study sections. His laboratory work is supported by multiple NIH R01 grants. He currently is establishing preclinical and C&T research collaborations between NDSU and clinicians at the VA and Sanford Hospitals. Together with Drs. Powell and Brown-Borg, Dr. Venkatachalem has the expertise and administrative experience to manage and support the HR Core.
Savannah Macias-Daugherty - Core Coordinator
Savannah Macias-Daugherty is the HR Core Coordinator. She has managed Core operations in the previous CTR and has 3 years of experience with protocol development. She is experienced with pre- and post-award processes, establishing standards and deadlines for submissions, reviewing proposals for completeness, and ensuring compliance with NIH and institutional standards. She will serve as the awardee/applicant point-of-contact to the Core and coordinate all HR Core interactions with other TRANSCEND Cores. She will be responsible for coordinating and running the proposal review process.
