Melinda Butsch Kovacic , MPH, PhD
Associate Dean
Professor and Associate Dean of Research
CAHS Dean's Office
Health Sciences Building, G60J
3225 Eden Ave
Cincinnati, Ohio 45220
Phone 513-558-8546
Email butschms@ucmail.uc.edu
Professional Summary
Cross trained as a basic scientist and epidemiologist, my career objectives are to understand how the interplay between genetic predisposition and environment contributes to chronic disease (e.g. cancer and asthma) and to translate my findings into real and measurable changes that improve the outcomes for children and families, particularly those that are living in communities that are most vulnerable as a result of socioeconomics.
Education
Associates of Science: University of Cincinnati College of Applied Science Cincinnati, OH, 1994 (Chemical Technology)
Bachelors of Science: University of Cincinnati College of Arts and Sciences Cincinnati, OH, 1996 (Chemistry and Biology)
Doctor of Philosophy: The Ohio State University Columbus, OH, 2002 (Interdisciplinary Biochemistry - Retrovirology)
Masters of Public Health: Harvard University School of Public Health Boston, MA, 2003 (Quantitative Methods)
Fellowship: National Cancer Institute Rockville, MD, 2006 ( Cancer Prevention )
Research and Practice Interests
Positions and Work Experience
12-13-2006 -02-08-2014 Assistant Professor, University of Cincinnati Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center,
02-09-2014 - Associate Professor, University of Cincinnati Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center,
09-02-2015 - Associate Dean of Research, University of Cincinnati College of Allied Health Sciences,
05-02-2010 -07-01-2015 Online Course Facilitator, Health and Wellness, University of Phoenix,
07-01-2015 -06-02-2017 Graduate Committee Chair, Department of Healthcare Administration; Department of Nursing, University of Phoenix,
07-02-2018 - Professor, Department of Rehabilitative, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, University of Cincinnati,
Research Support
Grant: #NIH/NHLBI R01 HL122300-01 Investigators:PI Ian Lewkowich 06-20-2014 NHLBI Mechanisms of IL-17A-mediated enhancement of asthma severity Role:Co-Investigator Active Type:Grant Level:National
Grant: #NIAID 2U19AI70235 Investigators:PI GK Khurana Hershey 07-20-2011 -06-20-2016 NIAID Epithelial Genes in Allergic Inflammation Role:Co-Investigator Active Level:National
Grant: #NHLBI R01 HL108102-01 Investigators:Butsch Kovacic, Wells, Davies, Mehta, Myers, Bleesing 07-20-2011 -01-02-2018 NHLBI Fanconi Anemia as a Model for Susceptibility to Human Papillomavirus Infection Role:PI Active Type:Grant Level:National
Grant: #NIEHS R21 ES016830-01A1 Investigators:Butsch Kovacic, Martin, Ryan, Wu, Hershey 07-20-2009 -06-20-2012 NIEHS Exposure-Induced Systemic Oxidative Stress in Children with Asthma Role:PI Completed Type:Grant Level:National
Grant: #KL2 Scholar RR026315-02 07-20-2009 -06-20-2011 CCTST Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) and Oxidative Stress in Children with Asthma Completed Type:Grant
Grant: #1R25NIGM129808-1 Investigators:Butsch Kovacic, Hershberger, Martin, Ryan, Lee 07-01-2018 -06-30-2023 NIGMS We Engage Via Data & Stories to Improve Community Health & Foster Stem Education Role:Co-PI Active Type:Grant Level:University
Grant: #R25CA261610 Investigators:Butsch-Kovacic, Melinda; Kazimierczuk, Francoise; Kues, John; Nolan, Rachael 08-01-2021 -07-31-2026 National Cancer Institute The Cancer Research Scholars Program (CRSP): Exploring Research Across the Cancer Continuum and into Underserved Communities Role:PI 268444.00 Awarded Level:Federal
Grant: #Billing Agreement-Mult Trainees 10-01-2021 -09-30-2022 Department of Veterans Affairs Defining Novel Pharyngeal Pressure Metrics to Predict Dysphagia Treatment Outcomes and Clinical Prognosis using High-Resolution Manometry Role:PI 21706.00 Hold Level:Federal
Grant: #Billing Agreement-Mult Trainees 10-01-2021 -09-30-2022 Department of Veterans Affairs Defining Novel Pharyngeal Pressure Metrics to Predict Dysphagia Treatment Outcomes and Clinical Prognosis using High-Resolution Manometry Role:PI 21706.00 Hold Level:Federal
Grant: #OS00000030 (R01HG011411) Investigators:Butsch-Kovacic, Melinda 09-24-2021 -06-30-2026 National Human Genome Research Institute Epigenome-wide variations and socio-environmental exposures in African American asthmatic children Role:PI 0.00 Hold Level:Federal
Grant: #AAMC Master Consulting Agreement Investigators:Butsch-Kovacic, Melinda; Kues, John 03-11-2024 -03-10-2029 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention MASTER AGREEMENT Building Trust and Confidence Through Partnerships Webinar Series Role:Collaborator 0.00 Hold Level:Federal
Grant: #AAMC SOW 1 Investigators:Butsch-Kovacic, Melinda; Kues, John 03-11-2024 -09-29-2024 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Building Trust and Confidence Through Partnerships Webinar Series Role:Collaborator 8000.00 Hold Level:Federal
Publications
Peer Reviewed Publications
Hoskins, Elizabeth E; Morreale, Richard J; Werner, Stephen P; Higginbotham, Jennifer M; Laimins, Laimonis A; Lambert, Paul F; Brown, Darron R; Gillison, Maura L; Nuovo, Gerard J; Witte, David P; Kim, Mi-Ok; Davies, Stella M; Mehta, Parinda A; Butsch Kovacic, Melinda; Wikenheiser-Brokamp, Kathryn A; Wells, Susanne I (2012. ) The fanconi anemia pathway limits human papillomavirus replication.Journal of virology, , 86 (15 ) ,8131-8 More Information
Butsch Kovacic, Melinda; Biagini Myers, Jocelyn M; Lindsey, Mark; Patterson, Tia; Sauter, Sharon; Ericksen, Mark B; Ryan, Patrick; Assa'ad, Amal; Lierl, Michelle; Fischer, Thomas; Kercsmar, Carolyn; McDowell, Karen; Lucky, Anne W; Sheth, Anita P; Hershey, Andrew D; Ruddy, Richard M; Rothenberg, Marc E; Khurana Hershey, Gurjit K (2012. ) The Greater Cincinnati Pediatric Clinic Repository: A Novel Framework for Childhood Asthma and Allergy Research.Pediatric allergy, immunology, and pulmonology, , 25 (2 ) ,104-113 More Information
Epstein, Tolly G; LeMasters, Grace K; Bernstein, David I; Ericksen, Mark B; Martin, Lisa J; Ryan, Patrick H; Biagini Myers, Jocelyn M; Butsch Kovacic, Melinda S; Lindsey, Mark A; He, Hua; Reponen, Tiina; Villareal, Manuel S; Lockey, James E; Bernstein, Cheryl K; Khurana Hershey, Gurjit K (2012. ) Genetic variation in small proline rich protein 2B as a predictor for asthma among children with eczema.Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, , 108 (3 ) ,145-50 More Information
Martin, Lisa J; Gupta, Jayanta; Jyothula, Soma S S K; Butsch Kovacic, Melinda; Biagini Myers, Jocelyn M; Patterson, Tia L; Ericksen, Mark B; He, Hua; Gibson, Aaron M; Baye, Tesfaye M; Amirisetty, Sushil; Tsoras, Anna M; Sha, Youbao; Eissa, N Tony; Hershey, Gurjit K Khurana (2012. ) Functional variant in the autophagy-related 5 gene promotor is associated with childhood asthma.PloS one, , 7 (4 ) ,e33454 More Information
Baye, Tesfaye M; Butsch Kovacic, Melinda; Biagini Myers, Jocelyn M; Martin, Lisa J; Lindsey, Mark; Patterson, Tia L; He, Hua; Ericksen, Mark B; Gupta, Jayanta; Tsoras, Anna M; Lindsley, Andrew; Rothenberg, Marc E; Wills-Karp, Marsha; Eissa, N Tony; Borish, Larry; Khurana Hershey, Gurjit K (2011. ) Differences in candidate gene association between European ancestry and African American asthmatic children.PloS one, , 6 (2 ) ,e16522 More Information
Butsch Kovacic, Melinda; Martin, Maureen; Gao, Xiaojiang; Fuksenko, Tatyana; Chen, Chien-Jen; Cheng, Yu-Juen; Chen, Jen-Yang; Apple, Raymond; Hildesheim, Allan; Carrington, Mary (2005. ) Variation of the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors and HLA-C genes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology, , 14 (11 Pt 1 ) ,2673-7 More Information
Kovacic, Melinda Butsch; Stigler, Sara; Smith, Angela; Kidd, Alexis; Vaughn, Lisa M (2014. ) Beginning a partnership with PhotoVoice to explore environmental health and health inequities in minority communities.International journal of environmental research and public health, , 11 (11 ) ,11132-51 More Information
Biagini Myers, Jocelyn M; Martin, Lisa J; Kovacic, Melinda Butsch; Mersha, Tesfaye B; He, Hua; Pilipenko, Valentina; Lindsey, Mark A; Ericksen, Mark B; Bernstein, David I; LeMasters, Grace K; Lockey, James E; Khurana Hershey, Gurjit K (2014. ) Epistasis between serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 5 (SPINK5) and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) genes contributes to childhood asthma.The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, , 134 (4 ) ,891-899.e3 More Information
Brandt, Eric B; Kovacic, Melinda Butsch; Lee, Gerald B; Gibson, Aaron M; Acciani, Thomas H; Le Cras, Timothy D; Ryan, Patrick H; Budelsky, Alison L; Khurana Hershey, Gurjit K (2013. ) Diesel exhaust particle induction of IL-17A contributes to severe asthma.The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, , 132 (5 ) ,1194-1204.e2 More Information
Myers, Kasiani C; Bleesing, Jack J; Davies, Stella M; Zhang, Xue; Martin, Lisa J; Mueller, Robin; Harris, Richard E; Filipovich, Alexandra H; Kovacic, Melinda B; Wells, Susanne I; Mehta, Parinda A (2011. ) Impaired immune function in children with Fanconi anaemia.British journal of haematology, , 154 (2 ) ,234-40 More Information
Cortina, Sandra D; Drotar, Dennis; Ericksen, Mark; Lindsey, Mark; Patterson, Tia L; Myers, Jocelyn M Biagini; Kovacic, Melinda Butsch; Hershey, Gurjit K Khurana (2011. ) Genetic biomarkers of health-related quality of life in pediatric asthma.The Journal of pediatrics, , 159 (1 ) ,21-26.e1 More Information
Reszka, Krzysztof J; Sallans, Larry; Macha, Stephen; Brown, Kari; McGraw, Dennis W; Kovacic, Melinda Butsch; Britigan, Bradley E (2011. ) Airway peroxidases catalyze nitration of the {beta}2-agonist salbutamol and decrease its pharmacological activity.The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics, , 336 (2 ) ,440-9 More Information
Kovacic, Melinda Butsch; Myers, Jocelyn M Biagini; Wang, Ning; Martin, Lisa J; Lindsey, Mark; Ericksen, Mark B; He, Hua; Patterson, Tia L; Baye, Tesfaye M; Torgerson, Dara; Roth, Lindsey A; Gupta, Jayanta; Sivaprasad, Umasundari; Gibson, Aaron M; Tsoras, Anna M; Hu, Donglei; Eng, Celeste; Chapela, Rocío; Rodríguez-Santana, José R; Rodríguez-Cintrón, William; Avila, Pedro C; Beckman, Kenneth; Seibold, Max A; Gignoux, Chris; Musaad, Salma M; Chen, Weiguo; Burchard, Esteban González; Hershey, Gurjit K Khurana (2011. ) Identification of KIF3A as a novel candidate gene for childhood asthma using RNA expression and population allelic frequencies differences.PloS one, , 6 (8 ) ,e23714 More Information
Sherrill, Joseph D; Gao, Pei-Song; Stucke, Emily M; Blanchard, Carine; Collins, Margaret H; Putnam, Phil E; Franciosi, James P; Kushner, Jonathan P; Abonia, J Pablo; Assa'ad, Amal H; Kovacic, Melinda Butsch; Biagini Myers, Jocelyn M; Bochner, Bruce S; He, Hua; Hershey, Gurjit Khurana; Martin, Lisa J; Rothenberg, Marc E (2010. ) Variants of thymic stromal lymphopoietin and its receptor associate with eosinophilic esophagitis.The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, , 126 (1 ) ,160-5.e3 More Information
Kovacic, Melinda Butsch; Katki, Hormuzd A; Kreimer, Aimee R; Sherman, Mark E (2008. ) Epidemiologic analysis of histologic cervical inflammation: relationship to human papillomavirus infections.Human pathology, , 39 (7 ) ,1088-95 More Information
Gravitt, Patti E; Kovacic, Melinda Butsch; Herrero, Rolando; Schiffman, Mark; Bratti, Concepcion; Hildesheim, Allan; Morales, Jorge; Alfaro, Mario; Sherman, Mark E; Wacholder, Sholom; Rodriguez, Ana-Cecilia; Burk, Robert D (2007. ) High load for most high risk human papillomavirus genotypes is associated with prevalent cervical cancer precursors but only HPV16 load predicts the development of incident disease.International journal of cancer. Journal international du cancer, , 121 (12 ) ,2787-93 More Information
Bolinger, Cheryl; Yilmaz, Alper; Hartman, Tiffiney Roberts; Kovacic, Melinda Butsch; Fernandez, Soledad; Ye, Jianxin; Forget, Mary; Green, Patrick L; Boris-Lawrie, Kathleen (2007. ) RNA helicase A interacts with divergent lymphotropic retroviruses and promotes translation of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1.Nucleic acids research, , 35 (8 ) ,2629-42 More Information
Kovacic, Melinda Butsch; Castle, Philip E; Herrero, Rolando; Schiffman, Mark; Sherman, Mark E; Wacholder, Sholom; Rodriguez, Ana C; Hutchinson, Martha L; Bratti, M Concepción; Hildesheim, Allan; Morales, Jorge; Alfaro, Mario; Burk, Robert D (2006. ) Relationships of human papillomavirus type, qualitative viral load, and age with cytologic abnormality.Cancer research, , 66 (20 ) ,10112-9 More Information
Butsch, Melinda; Boris-Lawrie, Kathleen (2002. ) Destiny of unspliced retroviral RNA: ribosome and/or virion? .Journal of virology, , 76 (7 ) ,3089-94
Butsch, M; Hull, S; Wang, Y; Roberts, T M; Boris-Lawrie, K (1999. ) The 5' RNA terminus of spleen necrosis virus contains a novel posttranscriptional control element that facilitates human immunodeficiency virus Rev/RRE-independent Gag production. Journal of virology, , 73 (6 ) ,4847-55
Sauter, Sharon L; Wells, Susanne I; Zhang, Xue; Hoskins, Elizabeth E; Davies, Stella M; Myers, Kasiani C; Mueller, Robin; Panicker, Gitika; Unger, Elizabeth R; Sivaprasad, Umasundari; Brown, Darron R; Mehta, Parinda A; Butsch Kovacic, Melinda (2015. ) Oral human papillomavirus is common in individuals with Fanconi anemia.Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology, , 24 (5 ) ,864-72 More Information
Butsch Kovacic, M; Martin, L J; Biagini Myers, J M; He, H; Lindsey, M; Mersha, T B; Khurana Hershey, G K (2015. ) Genetic approach identifies distinct asthma pathways in overweight vs normal weight children.Allergy, , 70 (8 ) ,1028-32 More Information
Katzenellenbogen, Rachel A; Carter, Joseph J; Stern, Joshua E; Butsch Kovacic, Melinda S; Mehta, Parinda A; Sauter, Sharon L; Galloway, Denise A; Winer, Rachel L (2015. ) Skin and mucosal human papillomavirus seroprevalence in persons with fanconi anemia.Clinical and vaccine immunology : CVI, , 22 (4 ) ,413-20 More Information
Winer, R L; Huang, C E; Cherne, S; Stern, J E; Butsch Kovacic, M S; Mehta, P A; Sauter, S L; Galloway, D A; Katzenellenbogen, R A (2015. ) Detection of human papillomavirus in the oral cavities of persons with Fanconi anemia.Oral diseases, , 21 (3 ) ,349-54 More Information
Mersha, Tesfaye B; Martin, Lisa J; Biagini Myers, Jocelyn M; Kovacic, Melinda Butsch; He, Hua; Lindsey, Mark; Sivaprasad, Umasundari; Chen, Weiguo; Khurana Hershey, Gurjit K (2015. ) Genomic architecture of asthma differs by sex.Genomics, , 106 (1 ) ,15-22 More Information
Khoury, Ruby; Sauter, Sharon; Butsch Kovacic, Melinda; Nelson, Adam S; Myers, Kasiani C; Mehta, Parinda A; Davies, Stella M; Wells, Susanne I (2018. ) Risk of Human Papillomavirus Infection in Cancer-Prone Individuals: What We Know.Viruses, , 10 (1 ) , More Information
Zhao, Xueheng; Brusadelli, Marion G; Sauter, Sharon; Butsch Kovacic, Melinda; Zhang, Wujuan; Romick-Rosendale, Lindsey E; Lambert, Paul F; Setchell, Kenneth D R; Wells, Susanne I (2018. ) Lipidomic Profiling Links the Fanconi Anemia Pathway to Glycosphingolipid Metabolism in Head and Neck Cancer Cells.Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, , 24 (11 ) ,2700-2709 More Information
Zhang, Xue; Biagini Myers, Jocelyn M; Burleson, J D; Ulm, Ashley; Bryan, Kelly S; Chen, Xiaoting; Weirauch, Matthew T; Baker, Theresa A; Butsch Kovacic, Melinda S; Ji, Hong (2018. ) Nasal DNA methylation is associated with childhood asthma.Epigenomics, , 10 (5 ) ,629-641 More Information
Mehta, Parinda A; Sauter, Sharon; Zhang, Xue; Davies, Stella M; Wells, Suzanne I; Myers, Kasiani C; Panicker, Gitika; Unger, Elizabeth R; Butsch Kovacic, Melinda (2017. ) Antibody response to human papillomavirus vaccination and natural exposure in individuals with Fanconi Anemia.Vaccine, , 35 (48 Pt B ) ,6712-6719 More Information
Myers, Kasiani C; Sauter, Sharon; Zhang, Xue; Bleesing, Jacob J; Davies, Stella M; Wells, Susanne I; Mehta, Parinda A; Kumar, Ashish; Marmer, Daniel; Marsh, Rebecca; Brown, Darron; Butsch Kovacic, Melinda (2017. ) Impaired immune function in children and adults with Fanconi anemia.Pediatric blood & cancer, , 64 (11 ) , More Information
Somineni, Hari K; Zhang, Xue; Biagini Myers, Jocelyn M; Kovacic, Melinda Butsch; Ulm, Ashley; Jurcak, Noelle; Ryan, Patrick H; Khurana Hershey, Gurjit K; Ji, Hong (2016. ) Ten-eleven translocation 1 (TET1) methylation is associated with childhood asthma and traffic-related air pollution.The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, , 137 (3 ) ,797-805.e5 More Information
Hall, Sara L; Baker, Theresa; Lajoie, Stephane; Richgels, Phoebe K; Yang, Yanfen; McAlees, Jaclyn W; van Lier, Adelaide; Wills-Karp, Marsha; Sivaprasad, Umasundari; Acciani, Thomas H; LeCras, Timothy D; Myers, Jocelyn Biagini; Kovacic, Melinda Butsch; Lewkowich, Ian P (2017. ) IL-17A enhances IL-13 activity by enhancing IL-13-induced signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 activation.The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, , 139 (2 ) ,462-471.e14 More Information
Baker T.; Biagini Myers J.; Butsch Kovacic M.; Kaur D.; Lewkowich I.; Lindsley A.; McAlees J.; McKnight C.; Strait R.; Zhang X. (01-01-2019. ) Age and early maternal smoking contribute to epithelial cell IL-13 responsiveness in a pediatric ast.Allergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, , More Information
Assa'Ad A.; Biagini Myers J.; Butsch Kovacic M.; Ericksen M.; Fischer T.; Hershey A.; Kercsmar C.; Khurana Hershey G.; Lierl M.; Lindsey M.; Lucky A.; McDowell K.; Patterson T.; Rothenberg M.; Ruddy R.; Ryan P.; Sauter S.; Sheth A. (06-01-2012. ) The greater cincinnati pediatric clinic repository: A novel framework for childhood asthma and aller.Pediatric, Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology, , 25 (2 ) ,104-113 More Information
Bernstein C.; Bernstein D.; Biagini Myers J.; Butsch Kovacic M.; Epstein T.; Ericksen M.; He H.; Khurana Hershey G.; Lemasters G.; Lindsey M.; Lockey J.; Martin L.; Reponen T.; Ryan P.; Villareal M. (01-01-2012. ) Genetic variation in small proline rich protein 2B as a predictor for asthma among children with ecz.Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, , 108 (3 ) , More Information
Book Chapter
Jill Koshiol and Melinda Butsch Kovacic (2012 ) Cytokines and Markers of Immune Response to HPV Infection, Recent Advances in Immunology to Target Cancer, Inflammation and Infections .(pp. 169).http://www.intechopen.com/books/recent-advances-in-immunology-to-target-cancer-inflammation-and-infections/immunological-response-to-human-papillomavirus-infection-in-cervical-neoplasia, InTech (Co-Author)
Honors and Awards
02-20-2015 Faculty Service Award Community Service Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Status:Recipient Level:Local
10-20-2014 Academic-Community Research Partnership Award Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Training (CCTST) Status:Recipient Level:University
7/1/2009 12:00:00 AM -6/30/0201 12:00:00 AM KL2 Scholars Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Training (CCTST) Status:Recipient Level:University
Service
Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses (Board of Directors ) Board Member Type:Community Service Level:Local 09-16-2014
HopeFest Health and Education Festival Acting Coordinator Type:Community Service Level:Local 01-20-2011
Contact Information
Academic - CAHS Dean's Office
Health Sciences Building, G60J
Cincinnati
Ohio, 45220
Phone: 513-558-8546
butschms@ucmail.uc.edu
Research - CCHMC S Building, Room 9.226
3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 7039
Cincinnati
Ohio, 45229
Phone: 513-803-0130
Fax: 513-636-1657
melinda.butsch.kovacic@cchmc.org