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In the latest episode of “The UMB Pulse” podcast, Íøºì±¬ÁÏ School of Medicine (UMSOM) associate professor Sarah M. Kattakuzhy, MD, talks about her research exploring whether semaglutide — a GLP-1 medication widely used for diabetes and weight management — could help reduce cravings and improve outcomes for people with stimulant use disorder. Kattakuzhy, who is also co-director of the Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine at UMSOM, describes how the study is evaluating the safety and tolerability of semaglutide in people with cocaine use disorder, including participants with and without HIV, while also tracking secondary outcomes such as changes in drug use and cravings.

Last summer’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act eliminates the existing Grad PLUS Loan program for new students after July 1, 2026. It also imposes annual limits on new borrowers: $50,000 for “professional” degree students and $20,500 for all other graduate students. The lifetime limits are $200,000 and $100,000, respectively.

On Jan. 20, UMB Provost and Executive Vice President Roger J. Ward, EdD, JD, MSL, MPA, hosted a special hybrid edition of UMB’s Face to Face program. He was joined by Patricia Scott, assistant vice president, enrollment administration, and University registrar. The two discussed the status of student financing for existing students compared with students who enroll after July 1, 2026.

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