Winter 2018

Traumatic brain injury patients and researchers face a steep ascent. PLUS: Novel gene therapy gives babies born without immune systems a chance at life; tackling the toughest problems in health.

About this Issue:

Vol. 6, No. 2
Editorial Team

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Features

Black and white portrait of Joseph DeRisi (left), Jayant Rajan (center), Christine Sheridan (right).

Human Interest Winter 2018

Solving the Hardest Problems in Health

Meet the visionaries working together to pursue radical solutions.

Science Winter 2018

Traumatic Brain Injury: A Devastating Fall, A Climb Back to Health

Photo collage of an elderly person’s hands and a doctor in the background; brain scan imaging overlay the photo.

Science Winter 2018

Silver Tsunami: The Next Wave of Traumatic Brain Injury Patients

Photo of Joy Littlesunday hamming it up with her parents, Jarvison and Christina.

Science Winter 2018

Time for Joy: Stopping a Rare Disease In a New Genomic Era

Insights & Voices

Perspectives

Brainy Bridge

Neuroscientist Ashley Smart shares the wonders of the brain through art.
Ask the Expert

How is Research Helping Solve Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE?

Amanda Woerman explores how basic science fuels efforts to end trauma-induced brain disease.
Ask the Expert

Does Your Age, Gender, or Race Matter When Recovering from a Head Injury?

Kristine Yaffe shares what scientists are learning about the long-term consequences of traumatic brain injury.
Ask the Expert

Why Big Data is a Big Deal for Health

Atul Butte shares why harnessing the collective power of UC’s systemwide biomedical data will someday enable precise, targeted, accountable care in California and around the world.

Alumni Stories
Winter 2018

Master of Beautiful Smiles for Children

When Yan Kalika, DMD, MS ’01, arrived in San Francisco in 1989 from the former Soviet republic of Moldova, he didn’t speak English.

Books

Hundreds of Interlaced Fingers: A Kidney Doctor’s Search for the Perfect Match

UCSF nephrologist and resident alumna Vanessa Grubbs, MD, traces her journey from kidney donor – her boyfriend desperately needed one – to kidney doctor. Along the way, she shares her discoveries about racial disparities in the way donated kidneys are allocated and how patients, families, and clinicians alike struggle with decisions about dialysis.

Videos

TED Talk: “What Really Matters at the End of Life”

UCSF palliative care specialist B.J. Miller, MD ’01, asks big questions regarding how we think about death and honor life. Miller lost three limbs in an accident in college and drew upon his experiences to pioneer a new model of palliative care. His talk, viewed more than 6 million times, prompted so many responses that TED hosted a Q&A on Facebook for the many people eager to learn more about dying with dignity.

Podcasts

Carry the One Radio: “The Hidden Addiction”

Sugar scientist and professor of health policy Laura Schmidt, PhD, MSW, MPH, explores the tactics corporations use to get people hooked on sugary products – and how she and her colleagues are fighting back. Carry the One Radio is produced by a dedicated band of young UCSF scientists, graduate students, and postdocs.