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News

Lecture to focus on personalized health

Expert slated to speak on medical advances that customize treatment based on genetics

by Katy Umaña
The Daily Cougar

The fourth lecture in the "Today's Health" series Wednesday will discuss personalized medicine and the challenges faced by scientists in the pharmaceutical industry.

Amalia M. Issa, an associate professor at the College of Technology, will be the guest speaker. 

As a pharmacologist and clinical epidemiologist, Issa is also director of the Program in Personalized Medicine and Targeted Therapeutics at the Abramson Family Center for the Future of Health. 

The Abramson Family Center focuses on research and training professionals in the medical field. 

The Program in Personalized Medicine and Targeted Therapeutics promotes information on the effectiveness of medical products, services and polices and is a joint initiative between UH and The Methodist Hospital Research Institute.

"Personalized Medicine and the Future of the Pharmaceutical Industry" will focus on the effects customized medications have on individual patients' conditions, and how there has been a shift in the industry to develop medicines based on the genetic information of a patient to reduce or eliminate side-effects and to improve a patient's recovery. 

"More and more each day people are relying on their medications and the medical field is investigating genetics and making medications tailor-made for people's individual needs," Nelda Cervantes, supervisor at the Pharmacy Library, said.

"That is the up-and-coming research. It's all based on people's genetic makeup having medications tailor-made for their specific needs," Cervantes said. 

The lectures are geared toward pharmacy students, faculty and staff, and the general community, Cervantes said. 

Light refreshments and deserts will be served, and students, faculty and staff are invited to attend at no charge. 

The series, sponsored by the UH Libraries and College of Pharmacy, was initiated in Fall 2004 and brings prominent area health professionals to the University to share their knowledge and real-world experiences. 

The lecture will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 130, Science and Research Building 2.

For more information on the "Today's Health" series, contact Cervantes at (713) 743-1242. 

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