Member SpotlightsBlending Research Skills with Medical Expertise Stephen M. Weber Ph.D., M.D. A Member Since October 2001  As a resident in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Stephen Weber Ph.D., M.D. is in an ideal position to practice medicine and conduct research. As an undergraduate at the University of California-Davis, he was introduced to the rigors of laboratory experimentation as he earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in microbiology. Although he enjoyed being a scientist, he knew that he wanted to also practice medicine and apply his research skills towards developing a better understanding of human disease. Upon graduation from college, Dr. Weber enrolled in a privately funded medical scientist training program at Boston University and specialized in immunology.While at Boston University, he conducted research under the direction of Dr. Stuart Levitz and studied how inflammatory signaling pathways were affected by chloroquine, which is typically used to treat malaria and such autoimmune diseases as rheumatoid arthritis. There was interest in the medical community to use chloroquine to help treat HIV patients in the developing world because of its affordability. Dr. Weber needed to determine whether chloroquine interfered with the baseline inflammatory response. By examining TNF-alpha levels he determined that the compound deactivated one of the MAP kinase signaling cascades, which is important in cytokine production. Because of this interference, his team concluded that chloroquine might further compromise the immune systems of people with HIV. His findings have serious public health implications because chloroquine is still widely used to treat individuals with malaria in sub Saharan Africa—many of whom also are infected with HIV. As an innovator in his field, Dr. Weber has been awarded the prestigious Chrysalis Fellowship from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in both 2001 and 2003 in addition to other clinical and research honors. Dr. Weber believes that as a surgeon specializing in skull base surgery, he will be able to incorporate the results of his cutting-edge research into his practice to greatly improve patient outcomes. He is preparing to undertake a clinical research project to examine survival of vascularized tissue grafts taken from muscle, blood vessels, fat and skin of the forearm and translocated to the head and neck. Recipients of such grafts often undergo blood transfusions, which carries significant risk. Dr. Weber will be exploring what types of blood counts are necessary to improve graft survival with the hopes of reducing the number of transfusions needed over the course of patient recovery. Since moving to Oregon, Dr. Weber and his wife have taken advantage of their beautiful surroundings and have enjoyed such outdoor activities as skiing and hiking. During the Pacific Northwest’s many rainy months, Dr. Weber enjoys such indoor pursuits as reading and carpentry. ### << Previous Next >> [ View All Member Spotlights ] |
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