Kevin Steiner (left), a 2002 alumnus and internal medicine physician in Massachusetts, brings a Suter Science Seminar to Eastern Mennonite University about hepatitis C on Monday, Feb. 15. Neuroscientist Jason Wells, chair of the Division of Neurosciences at Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, speaks Monday, Feb. 22. (Courtesy photos)

On the Suter seminar agenda: physician-alumnus to speak on hepatitis C and neuroscientist on the neurobiology of pain

Two doctors headline the next two Suter Science Seminars at Eastern Mennonite University.

Kevin Steiner, a 2002 alumnus and internal medicine physician in Massachusetts, speaks about hepatitis C on Monday, Feb. 15 [now rescheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 16, at 2:25 p.m.]. Neuroscientist Jason Wells, chair of the Division of Neurosciences at Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, speaks Monday, Feb. 22.

Both lectures are in Suter Science Center 106, with refreshments provided 15 minutes before the seminars.

Feb. 15: The Conundrum of Cure: A Global Case Study of Hepatitis C [*rescheduled for Feb. 16, 2:25 p.m.]

Kevin Steiner is currently training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston in the Global Health Equity Residency. After attending EMU, he spent one year at the National Cancer Institute before earning his MD and PhD at Case Western Reserve University.

His doctoral research explored the impact of maternal malaria infection on the risk for mother-to-child transmission of HIV. He has worked in Kenya, Haiti, and most recently, Rwanda where his efforts focus on health care delivery and hepatitis C treatment alongside the non-profit, Partners in Health.

Steiner will talk about recent, remarkable advancements in treatment options for the hepatitis C virus (HCV). These options substitute the normal nearly year-long regimen of pills and injections that may or may not provide a cure and often had negative side effects. However, the medications are expensive and not readily available.

What does HCV treatment today look like in Boston? In the United States prison system? In Rwanda? How do we respond when confronted by these disparities and what is our responsibility as Christians committed to working toward peace and justice?

This seminar is co-sponsored by EMU’s School of Graduate and Professional Studies.

Feb. 22, 4 p.m.: Painting a Picture of Pain

Concerned about the rising abuse of prescription pain killers in Appalachia and other areas of the country, Jason Wells’ primary research interests are the neurobiological mechanisms of pain generation and perception. One goal of this research is to realize a novel non-narcotic method to treat pain. The presentation will survey the neurobiology of pain and potential avenues of non-addictive pain treatment based on his research.

Wells graduated from Allegheny College with a BS in neuroscience and from the West Virginia University School of Medicine with a PhD. In addition to chairing the neurosciences division at Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, he also chairs the admission committee. He has held faculty positions at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, teaching neuroscience, human gross anatomy and electives in addiction medicine.

This seminar is co-sponsored by EMU’s MA in Biomedicine program.