Headlines of the Week

New OMRF scientists receive grants
The Journal Record
July 7, 2010

OKLAHOMA CITY – Two years ago, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation launched a recruiting campaign with the goal of bringing in a new generation of scientists to lead the foundation as it expands.

Since that time, OMRF has recruited eight new principal investigators for its new 186,000-square-foot research tower, which is expected to open next year.

The eight new scientists have already secured $11.57 million in grants since coming to OMRF. The money, the majority of which is awards from the National Institutes of Health, supports research on obesity, cancer, heart disease, lupus and other illnesses.

“These are out-of-state dollars that flow into Oklahoma and create jobs for laboratory technicians, graduate students and assisting scientists,” said Stephen Prescott, OMRF president. “And the research they’re doing has already opened new windows into a number of life-threatening and debilitating conditions.”

OMRF’s new investigators include Marta Alarcon, who joined OMRF in 2009 from Uppsala University in Sweden; Jana Barlic, who joined OMRF in 2008 from the Imperial College of Medicine in London; Hong Chen, who joined OMRF in 2008 from Yale University; Courtney Griffin, who joined OMRF in 2008 from the University of North Carolina; Tim Griffin, who joined OMRF in 2008 from Duke University; Mike Kinter, who joined OMRF in 2008 from the Cleveland Clinic; Courtney Montgomery, who joined OMRF in 2008 from Case Western Reserve University; and Roberto Pezza, who joined OMRF in 2009 from the National Institutes of Health. The eight new researchers represent the first wave of an effort that will add 30 principal scientists to OMRF’s faculty. Recruitment efforts are ongoing, with at least two new scientists expected to join OMRF before the end of the year. – Staff report

ESPN ranks Thunder fan satisfaction
The Journal Record
July 7, 2010
OKLAHOMA CITY – ESPN The Magazine has ranked the Oklahoma City Thunder 25th among the four top major-league sports in its annual Ultimate Standings that measure how much MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL franchises give back to their fans.

The Thunder jumped from 57th a year earlier.

The overall ranking was based on how each team fares in eight categories – fan relations, ownership, players, coaching, affordability, stadium experience, title track and “bang for the buck” – wins during the past three years per revenues directly from fans.

The Thunder’s ranking for fan satisfaction was fifth best in the NBA and places it ahead of 97 other professional sports teams.

“The Thunder organization is truly humbled by the loyalty of our fans, and it is a tremendous honor to have that depth of support recognized by ESPN The Magazine,” said Brian Byrnes, Thunder senior vice president.

The Thunder’s ranking by category was Affordability ninth, first in the NBA; Fan Relations 12th, second in the NBA; Players ninth, second in the NBA; Coaching, 35th, ninth in the NBA; Title Track, 51st, 10th in the NBA; Ownership 43rd, 11th in the NBA; Bang for the Buck 53rd, 13th in the NBA; and Stadium Experience 66th, 14th in the NBA.

“The Thunder bolted up the rankings in part because of their first playoff appearance in just their second year in OK City,” Charles Curtis wrote in ESPN The Magazine.

Curtis added that player appearances in the community and other initiatives have strengthened the relationship between the team and its fans.
– Staff report

At Oklahoma City show, riders saddle up to be best
BY LEIGH ANNE C. MANWARREN
The
July 7, 2010
More than 800 horses were registered to compete at the Battle in the Saddle show at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.

Reining, roping and other events are being featured this week during the inaugural Battle in the Saddle horse show at State Fair Park.

More than 800 horses will be competing for more than $300,000 in Western disciplines reining, working cow horse, roping, cutting and ranch horse events, said Jim Bret Campbell, spokesman for the American Quarter Horse Association.

A rider lines up at the gate waiting for the previous rider to exit the arena. The Battle in the Saddle took place at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City. Photo by Mitchell Alcala, The Oklahoman

Billed as the first of its kind, the event continues through Saturday in various State Fair Park buildings.

"We thought it would be a good idea for us to feature those Western disciplines that are so familiar to a lot of people here in Oklahoma, because a lot of those disciplines are taking place throughout the ranches here in the state, creating local interest,” said J. Scott Munz, Oklahoma State Fair spokesman.

Rather than having one show for one event and for one particular breed, Campbell said Battle in the Saddle is an opportunity to the best of the best in some of the "most exciting of equestrian sports.”

Some trainers already are pleased with the large show and park facilities.
"Even though this is just the first year, I would love to come back,” said Aubrey, Texas, trainer Terry Thompson.

"The facilities are the best in the country, and they treat all the horses and the riders well. I just hope that it will be able to make it financially.”

ProCure celebrates one year of proton therapy in Oklahoma
BY SUSAN SIMPSON
Oklahoman
Published: July 7, 2010

When patients complete cancer treatment at ProCure Proton Therapy Center, they get a new title: graduate.

A small celebration is held to congratulate patients who graduate from proton therapy, a treatment that first became available in Oklahoma in July 2009.
Dick Marshall is graduate No. 30.

"I have eliminated prostate cancer," Marshall said. "It's a great thing."
Marshall was among the center's first patients and now one of its biggest advocates. He chose the therapy over other forms of radiation after seeing how a friend responded to proton treatment at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Close to home
The Oklahoma City man said he was glad to find treatment closer to home so he could continue his work as a Realtor. The ProCure center is at 5901 W Memorial Road.

"This sounds strange, but I almost looked forward to going to treatment," Marshall said. "They have the most caring, compassionate staff I have ever encountered."

About 150 patients from 15 states have been treated at ProCure, including 109 for prostate cancer, 26 for brain tumors and 14 children. The center also has developed new treatment protocols for gastrointestinal cancers that will be used by centers across the country, Medical Director Dr. Sameer Keole said.

Now fully operational with four treatment rooms, the center can accommodate 1,500 patients a year and employs about 65 people.

Patients have come from across the country, Keole said, and about 90 percent of cases are covered by Medicare or health insurance plans.

"If something can be treated with X-rays, it can be treated with protons," he said. "We've done a very good job of getting most things approved."

Proton therapy is an advanced form of radiation cancer treatment that precisely targets tumors. This precision reduces damage to healthy tissue so patients experience fewer short- and long-term side effects than with standard X-ray radiation.

The OU Cancer Institute also will have a proton therapy unit. That center is expected to open in 2011.

Keole said he welcomes the additional center because it will raise awareness of the benefits of proton therapy. He estimates that 3,500 Oklahomans each year would benefit from proton therapy.

"Between our two centers, we couldn't even treat 50 percent of patients from Oklahoma, much less surrounding areas."

Three companies pledge 114 jobs
They'll benefit from state's Quality Jobs Program
The Oklahoman
BY SUSAN SIMPSON
July 9, 2010

Three companies joined the Oklahoma Quality Jobs program last month, pledging to create 114 jobs in coming years in exchange for wage rebates.

AGIO
AGIO Technology, a global information technology company, plans 74 jobs in Norman, for a maximum payroll rebate of $3.3 million over 10 years.

AGIO serves hedge fund companies and opened this year at Three Partners Place on the University of Oklahoma south research campus.

"Sitting strategically on the OU campus allows AGIO to pull from the fantastic talent OU provides," said Suzy Hurt, chief administrative officer for the company.

Bart McDonough, CEO and founder of AGIO, is a former OU student who served as managing director at SAC Capital, a hedge fund. Hurt said McDonough saw an opportunity to design IT services specifically for that industry.

The company now has 43 employees in Norman.

TRECE
Trece Inc., an Adair-based company that makes pheromone and kairomone-based insect monitoring and control systems, plans 15 more jobs, for a potential payroll rebate of $164,192 over seven years.

The company is expanding product lines, said Donna Lingren, who co-owns the company with her husband, Bill Lingren, an Oklahoma State University entomology graduate.

At recent count, the company has 22 employees and manufactures product lines Pherocon, Storgard and Cidetract.

AGIO, which is hiring workers for the Adair plant, is looking for chemists, research and development and sales personnel.

Bill Lingren was working in Palo Alto, Calif., in 1983, when he purchased product lines from Zoecon Corporation. He renamed the company Trece (Spanish for 13) for his lucky number and the 13th column, or profit column, in a typical spreadsheet.

The Lingrens moved Trece's corporate headquarters from Salinas, Calif., to Adair in 2002. Donna Lingren said the cost of doing business is less in Oklahoma and they wanted to retire here.

Trece's products are based on natural chemicals produced by insects.

"Our mantra is 'Don't spray unless you have to.'"

SESACO
California-based Sesaco Corp. plans 25 jobs at its Hobart plant, qualifying for a $221,947 wage rebate over seven years.

The processing plant, leased from the city of Hobart, cleans sesame seeds grown by farmers in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. About 15 are employed there, including equipment operators and managers, said company administrator Tina Smith.

Sesaco has worked in all phases of sesame, including plant research, variety development, planting, cultivating, irrigating, harvesting, receiving, cleaning, exporting, importing, product development and bulk sales.