News Briefs

High Ranking for Dental Branch

The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston has been ranked sixth out of 56 dental schools nationwide by the American Dental Association due to scores on the 2005 National Dental Board Exam Part I. The class scored well above the national average, both in overall average and in each individual section. Thirty-nine percent of the class scored 90 or above on the examination. On the Dental Anatomy section, 66 percent of the students scored 90 or higher.

“I am so proud and pleased for what our students have accomplished,” said Jay Ferguson, D.D.S., associate professor in restorative dentistry and biomaterials, who prepared the class for the exam. “This class has shown tremendous growth in pre-clinic, clinical and didactic course work. They have exceeded my wildest expectations. I am assured that they will be wonderful leaders in dentistry.”

Dental Branch Dean Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., said, “Our students are the most important gauge of our performance as a dental school. When we have students performing at this level, it means we are recruiting the most talented in the state, and the faculty and staff are preparing them well. Dr. Jay Ferguson, specifically, but also many dental and medical faculty contributed to this excellent outcome, and their efforts are greatly appreciated.”

Autism-ADHD Study

The University of Texas Medical School at Houston is offering a free, comprehensive evaluation for symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children who have an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD).

Deborah Pearson, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is recruiting up to 100 children ages 7 to 12 with an ASD, such as autism, pervasive developmental disorder and Asperger’s Disorder. The children will be evaluated for symptoms of ADHD, a common developmental and behavioral disorder characterized by poor concentration, distractibility, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

The assessment results will determine whether the child should be enrolled in a five-week medication study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (713) 500-2580.

New Periodontics Chair

James Katancik, D.D.S., Ph.D., is the new chair in the Department of Periodontics at The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston. Formerly Katancik served in the University of Tennessee Department of Periodontology for seven years and as program director of the postgraduate periodontics program there during the last two years. Katancik’s research focuses primarily on diabetes and systemic diseases and how they relate to periodontal disease.

New Medical School Vice Chairs

Julia Lever, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, and Alex Valadka, M.D., professor of neurosurgery, have been appointed vice chairs of their respective departments at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston.

Lever has been with the Medical School since 1979. She studies the structure, function and gene regulation of epithelial cell glucose transporters. She also has a faculty appointment in the UT Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston.

Valadka comes to the Medical School from Baylor College of Medicine, where he was a professor of neurosurgery for 13 years. He will direct the neurotrauma services at Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center. His clinical practice includes general cranial and spinal neurosurgery. Valadka will see patients at the UT Physicians Neurosurgery Clinic, at 6410 Fannin St., Suite 1020.