2025 HHRI Research Symposium Recap

Investigator Presentations

Investigating the immune response to Plasmodium infection and vaccination

Dr. Kristina Burrack shed a powerful light on the fight against malaria, a disease that still claims over 600,000 lives annually, with over 95% being in Africa. She walked us through the intricate life cycle of the Plasmodium parasite, explaining how its progression through both liver and blood stages makes it a formidable opponent in global health. Her research focuses on understanding the immune response to Plasmodium using mouse models, with the aim of enhancing immunity through innovative therapies.

A central highlight was her work with the IL-15 complex, which boosts T cell activity and supports long-term immunity, an essential piece of the puzzle in vaccine development. Dr. Burrack also described progress on a genetically attenuated parasite vaccine that triggers a strong immune response without causing disease. Collaborating with the University of Minnesota, she's using a "dirty mouse model" to better mimic real human immunity. She closed her talk on a personal note, sharing her experience in Antarctica through a women in STEMM leadership program, underscoring how science, sustainability, and global leadership intersect.

Frostbite research at HCMC

In Dr. Rachel Nygaard's presentation, she shared the importance of the dual-phase nature of frostbite injuries, explaining how damage occurs both during tissue freezing and again during thawing, worsening the injury. She emphasized the importance of early treatment, particularly the use of thrombolytics and Iloprost in severe cases, and the critical role of warm ischemia time (the brief window in which timely intervention can save tissue).

Dr. Nygaard also highlighted the long-term impacts of frostbite, especially among unhoused populations, who face higher rates of impairment and mortality. Despite promising treatments, access and timely care remain major barriers. Ongoing multi-center research aims to improve treatment strategies and outcomes, offering hope for more effective and equitable frostbite care.

Diabetes and homelessness: social risk, stigma, and opportunity

Dr. Kate Diaz Vickery delivered a powerful presentation on how diabetes and homelessness are connected. She spoke about her path from medical school to becoming a family doctor, and how this shaped her understanding of patient care. Using the biopsychosocial model and community-based research, she showed how factors like unstable housing and stigma can strongly influence health. One alarming statistic stood out: in Minnesota, people with a history of homelessness die from diabetes at over three times the rate of the general population.

In response, Dr. Vickery helped develop the D-HOMES Program, a diabetes support initiative that deploys community health workers to assist with medication access, behavioral coaching, and trust-building. This program helps people with experiences of homelessness who live with type 2 diabetes. Backed by qualitative studies, open trials, and a randomized controlled trial, the program has already shown encouraging results in improving A1C and blood pressure. With strong support from the Quorum community research team, the program even became adapted and transformed into a stage play to share its impact. Looking ahead, Dr. Vickery announced plans for a larger clinical trial launching in May 2025, aiming to reach 256 participants and build a more equitable model for diabetes care.

During these presentations, we came full circle from hearing about pre-clinical research, to a hospital-based intense clinical, concluding with a clinical trial and being out in the community. Thank you to all of our speakers and those who attended. It was a great afternoon celebrating just a few examples of the great work all our researchers are doing on campus to help improve patient care and the health of our community through research and education.

Save the date! The next investigator meeting will be on October 10, 2025.