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Kindy to merge basic science, clinical research by Cindy Abole Public Relations He’s described as energetic, curious, collegial and helpful. Behind the man with the boyish looks and practical demeanor is a highly active neuroscientist and resourceful collaborator.  Mark Kindy, Ph.D., is a multi-tasker. And like many researchers today, he’s busy and involved in across-campus multidisciplinary work on many levels. Canadian-born Kindy joined MUSC last August as a professor in the Department of Physiology and Neuroscience and is the Admiral Pihl Endowed Chair, established as an open-ended chair for basic research in neuroscience. He also holds secondary appointments with the Department of Biochemistry, Neurology and is a research career scientist at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. Kindy serves as the director of MUSC’s Stroke Program and is associate director of both MUSC’s Center on Aging and the Spinal Cord Center of S.C.  “Mark rose to the top of our list not only because he’s an excellent scientist in his area—stroke and Alzheimer’s research—but primarily for his highly integrative personality,” said Peter Kalivas, Ph.D., professor and chairman, Department of Physiology and Neuroscience. Kalivas was part of a campuswide search committee of leaders and researchers in neuroscience interested in merging basic science and clinical research within several specific programs.  “This was a new chance for both me and MUSC,” said Kindy, who was recruited after 13 years at the University of Kentucky. “MUSC was looking for someone with my background and I was looking to continue my work while contributing and building something that was meaningful to me and could translate to keeping people healthy. Here, it’s the South Carolina’s Stroke Program and Center on Aging.”  Because the Palmetto State currently ranks number one in stroke deaths, Kindy was brought on board to help bridge the gap and establish a strong research infrastructure, combining basic and clinical science research. Kindy, who worked as director of research and associate director of the University of Kentucky’s Stroke Program, will work with neurology’s clinical care programs to reduce the incidence of stroke and improve stroke outcomes among South Carolinians. In addition, he hopes to continue his work on a national level through the American Heart Association and the National Stroke Association.  “If Mark can collaborate and gel people in this preclinical team and build a translational team to work together, then perhaps in the next five  to 10 years MUSC can be one of the top programs offering new treatments and products to patients through clinical trials,” Kalivas said. MUSC’s Center on Aging was established in 1987 to recognize the growing needs of South Carolina’s elderly population. Kindy will work with director Lotta Granholm-Bentley, Ph.D., and other campus researchers and staff in establishing more basic science research especially in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. With well established clinical programs, Kindy’s expertise will complement clinical work already conducted by medicine's David Bachman, M.D., and psychiatry's Jacobo Mintzer, M.D.  The Center for Aging is applying for an Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center grant, one of 20 nationally-supported centers, which are active in both clinical and basic science research. Research focuses on aging issues and risks within specific groups, especially the African American population. Basic findings report a connection between Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular risk factors, linking cholesterol and stroke among Alzheimer’s patients. The grant will join expertise from scientists across campus and the state in biometry, neuropathology, pathology, neuroimaging and education.  “We have a growing aging population in South Carolina that would like to age healthily,” Kindy said. “But with age people are more prone to strokes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other diseases of the elderly. We need to find ways to improve their ability to age in a healthy way.” Kindy’s research focuses on the molecular basis of disease and risk factors within animal models. More specifically, his research findings will be used in clinical studies to determine if patients with high cholesterol are at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. Through the Center on Aging, Kindy, Granholm-Bentley and several researchers will coordinate statewide research sites to share data and field questions via telemedicine.  His work with the Spinal Cord Center of S.C. allows him to collaborate with new Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at the College of Health Professions and scientific director of the South Carolina Spinal Injury Research Fund James S. Krause, Ph.D., tying basic research with rehabilitation science research and studies. Kindy hopes to bring more education and community awareness in the causes and prevention of spinal cord injuries. Last year, the center received $1 million in research funds generated by new state legislation that penalizes anyone convicted of driving under the influence by paying an extra $100. Kindy and the board hope to use these funds to support research and clinical work in spinal cord injuries, collaboration, public education and rehabilitation. Kindy received his undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts in 1980. He continued his studies in biological chemistry at Harvard University and went on to earn his master's and doctorate in biochemistry from Boston University School of Medicine by 1987. He completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, Calif., and later joined the biochemistry staff at the University of Kentucky. He is a member of the Society for Neuroscience, Society for  Neurochemistry, the International Society for Neurochemistry and is currently a reviewer for the American Heart Association Brain 1 Study Section and several other journals and publications. While Kindy busily works with colleagues to develop and nurture programs, he feels his efforts will ultimately help and benefit patients in the future. He values the collaborative atmosphere and institutional leadership supporting science and research at MUSC. “These are exciting times for MUSC and the state of South Carolina. We have great expectations to make significant contributions to the people of this state, by allowing them to age gracefully,” Kindy said.   Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.