USU Researchers Recognized at MHSRS with Prestigious Team Awards and Young Investigator Honors

Researchers from the Uniformed Services University (USU) were honored at the 2024 Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS) team awards and Young Investigator Competition awards.

September 12, 2024 by Sharon Holland

Researchers from the Uniformed Services University (USU) were honored for their outstanding contributions to military health research through the Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS) team awards and Young Investigator Competition awards, showcasing USU's commitment to advancing the health and readiness of our nation's warfighters.

The Medical Assessment and Readiness System (MARS) team received the MHSRS 2024 Outstanding Research Accomplishment Team/Military Award. The team was honored for their work in the "Big Data and Machine Learning for Full Spectrum Military Health Readiness, Performance, and Care" category. This joint analytic effort, which was conducted by Fort Liberty's Womack Army Medical Center and USU's Consortium for Health and Military Performance, used multiple big Department of Defense data sources to investigate critical issues related to Service Member health and readiness. Focusing on musculoskeletal health, exertion-related illness, and other conditions, the research makes a significant impact on improving the health outcomes and operational readiness of military personnel.

In addition to CHAMP/MARS, Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Bradley Dengler, director of USU's Military Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative, was part of the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Biomarker Team from the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity (USAMMDA) that earned the 2024 MHSRS Outstanding Program Management Award. The team's work with the ATBI program, which received FDA clearance for a portable, handheld device to assess TBIs via whole blood samples, is revolutionizing how potential TBIs are assessed in the field. As the team's clinical consultant since 2020, Dengler brought his operational experience and clinical expertise to the forefront. His leadership has significantly influenced the creation of evidence-based guidelines for the use of TBI biomarkers in military settings.

Dr. Lydia Hellwig, assistant professor of Pediatrics at USU and certified genetic counselor, was awarded Honorable Mention in the MHSRS Young Investigator Research Competition, for her cross-sectional study, "Pharmacogenetics in the MHS: Comparing PGx Genotyping and Next Generation Sequencing," which looks at how genetics affect the body's response to certain medications.

"These recognitions are a testament to the extraordinary dedication and innovative spirit of our researchers at USU. Their work is not only advancing military medicine but also strengthening the health and readiness of our nation's warfighters," said USU President Dr. Jonathan Woodson. "We are incredibly proud of their contributions, which continue to make a profound impact on the well-being of those who serve."