Trauma & Emergency Surgery - Research
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Critical Care Fellowship 
Trauma Institute of San Antonio (TRISAT) |
San Antonio Critical Care Society
Research Faculty
Martin G. Schwacha, PhD
Professor
Biosketch
Laboratory website: Immunopathology Research Laboratory
Dr. Schwacha's research interests center on the role of the innate immune
system in the host's response to traumatic injury. Major burn injury induces
an immunopathogenic response with the release of a wide range of
pro-inflammatory mediators by macrophages and other cells that contribute to the
development of immune dysfunction SIRS, sepsis, and multiple organ failure.
Studies from Dr. Schwacha's laboratory have shown that post-burn
immunosuppression is induced by macrophage-mediated processes. Other findings
indicate a central role for gamma-delta T-cells in the post-burn
immunoinflammatory responses including regulation of macrophage hyperactivity,
neutrophil-mediated end organ injury, and wound healing. This T-cell subset is
uniquely positioned in the immune/inflammatory axis to influence tissue repair,
inflammation, anti-microbial activity and overall immune status post-injury.
Current studies in the laboratory are directed at improving our understanding of
gamma-delta T-cells in the post-burn immunoinflammatory process in both the
experimental and clincial settings. Other areas of interest in Dr. Schwacha's
laboratory include the impact of opioids on post-injury immune responses, how
insulin resistance post-injury influences immune responses, and the role of
gender in post-injury immune function.
Research Staff
Janet McCarthy, RN, Research Nurse
Ms. McCarthy completed her nursing education at New England Baptist
School of Nursing in Boston, MA in 1986. She joined the trauma staff at
the UTHSCSA in 1999 She is a certified clinical research coordinator and
has helped develop the trauma research program into a leading center
for trauma and critical care studies
. . .
Rachelle Babbitt Jonas, RN, BSN, Research Nurse
Mrs. Jonas completed her nursing training and received her Bachelors of
Science in Nursing from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in
Lubbock, TX in 2001. She joined the trauma staff at the UTHSCSA in
2004.
. . .
Mark DeRosa, Research Study Coordinator
Mr. DeRosa, a Respiratory Therapist, completed his training with the US Air Force and California
College for Health Sciences. He is a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator and joined
the trauma research staff at the Health Science Center in 2005.
