YSM People in the News

Yale medical student named AMA Foundation Minority Scholar

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:47:08 +0000

Martina Sanders-Spight, a second-year medical student, received a 2008 Minority Scholars Award from the American Medical Association. One of only 12 medical students in the country to receive the award, Sanders-Spight will receive a $10,000 scholarship in recognition of her excellence as a medical student and outstanding promise for a career in medicine. Sanders-Spight, who is from Detroit, Mich., is president of the local chapter of the Student National Medical Association. She also serves as Diversity Initiative chair and a college tour coordinator. She has served as Health Disparities chair for the Yale chapter of Physicians for Human Rights and as coordinator of the Neighborhood Health Project, a glucose and hypertension screening clinic. The Minority Scholars Award recognizes scholastic achievement and promise for the future among first- or second-year medical students in groups defined as "historically underrepresented" in the medical profession.

Inaugural Clinical Excellence prize awarded to therapeutic radiologist

Fri, 5 Dec 2008 14:45:49 +0000

Lynn D. Wilson, M.D., M.P.H., was awarded the inaugural David J. Leffell Prize for clinical excellence at the Yale Medical Group's annual meeting on June 9. At the award ceremony, Dean Robert J. Alpern, M.D., said, "Lynn serves as a great example of how academic specialists should communicate with all the providers involved in patient care." Wilson is vice chair and clinical director of the Department of Therapeutic Radiology. The prize, which includes a plaque and a check for $1,000, was funded by a gift from David J. Leffell, M.D., YMG CEO, and his wife, Cindy, in honor of Leffell's 30th Yale College class reunion in 2007. Winners are chosen by Alpern after being recommended by a panel. In nominating Wilson, Peter Glazer, M.D., chair of therapeutic radiology, wrote, "I have received numerous comments from referring physicians and correspondence from patients regarding Dr. Wilson's exceptional clinical care, compassion and responsiveness."

Pioneering neuroscientist wins prestigious new award

Thu, 29 May 2008 20:14:12 +0000

Pasko Rakic, professor of neurobiology and neurology, was named one of the inaugural recipients of the Kavli Prizes for his role in changing our understanding of the cerebral cortex, the seat of human cognitive function. Rakic shares the $1 million prize with Thomas Jessell, of Columbia University, and Sten Grillner, of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. The award is given in a partnership between the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, the Kavli Foundation and the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research.

YMG hires first chief medical officer

Fri, 9 May 2008 16:04:28 +0000

Ronald J. Vender, M.D., a nationally recognized gastroenterologist, has been named chief medical officer (CMO) of the Yale Medical Group (YMG), the physician practice of Yale University faculty. He will also serve as associate dean for clinical affairs at the School of Medicine. Both appointments are effective June 1. Vender, who graduated from the Yale School of Medicine and completed his internship, residency and fellowships at Yale-New Haven Hospital, has held leadership roles at several New Haven-area hospitals. As CMO, Vender will report to David J. Leffell, M.D., chief executive officer of the YMG and deputy dean for clinical affairs. Vender will assume operational responsibilities and will work to continue to advance the clinical practice of the School of Medicine.

Microbiologist wins prestigious award for research contributions

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:09:21 +0000

Stephen C. Edberg, Ph.D., professor of laboratory medicine and medicine and director of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Yale-New Haven Hospital, received the BD Award for Research in Clinical Microbiology. The award recognizes a distinguished scientist for research accomplishments that form the foundation for important applications in clinical microbiology. Edberg made a major contribution to global health with his "Colilert" test for the detection and enumeration of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in drinking water under field and laboratory conditions. His research, which has been foundational in many other areas as well, has resulted in more than 180 publications.

Diagnostic hematopathology expert will lead laboratory science academy

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:07:39 +0000

Brian R. Smith, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine, was elected president of the Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists. Founded in 1966, the ACLPS is a major laboratory medicine academic society. It is a cooperating society of the American Board of Pathology and, in conjunction with the American Society for Clinical Pathology, publishes "The American Journal of Clinical Pathology".

Yale transfusion medicine expert will lead national marrow donor project

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:06:48 +0000

Edward L. Snyder, M.D., professor of laboratory medicine and associate chair for clinical affairs in the Department of Laboratory Medicine, was voted president-elect of the National Marrow Donor Program. Snyder, whose research focuses on transfusion oncology and immunobiology, will begin serving his two-year term in January 2009. Since it was launched in 1987, the NMDP has made possible more than 30,000 marrow or blood cell transplants. The NMDP enables more than 300 transplants a month, with more than 3,700 marrow and cord blood transplants in 2007. Patients with leukemia, lymphomas or other blood cancers comprise about 72 percent of transplants facilitated by the NMDP.

RNA expert receives prestigious young researchers' award

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 18:09:28 +0000

Scott Strobel, professor of molecular biophysics and biochemistry, is the recipient of the Schering-Plough Research Institute Award, which is given by the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in recognition of outstanding scientific contributions made by researchers early in their careers. Strobel, a leader in the interface between chemical and structural biology and an expert on the function of RNA, gave the award lecture, titled "Three views of RNA Catalysis: Ribozymes, Ribosomes and Riboswitches," at the society’s annual meeting, April 6, in San Diego. He has been at Yale for the past 12 years, the last two as chair of the Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry.

First Yale-Keele exchange student goes to England

Wed, 6 Feb 2008 15:23:34 +0000

Sarah Lee, a fifth-year medical student, began a three-month program at Keele University School of Medicine, in Staffordshire, England, to study ethics. She is the first graduate from Yale to participate in the student exchange initiative, which was established by the two universities last year. Lee, who will be at Keele from January to April, is doing research as part of her medical degree. During her stay, she will do a clinical rotation at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire to learn about the National Health Service. See: http://www.keele.ac.uk/contact.htm

Yale neurosurgeon named American Epilepsy Society president

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:28:36 +0000

Dennis D. Spencer, the Harvey and Kate Cushing Professor of Neurosurgery and chair of neurosurgery, was elected president of the American Epilepsy Society (AES), the professional society for physicians and scientists who study and treat epilepsy. Internationally recognized in the surgical treatment of the neurological diseases that cause epilepsy, Spencer developed a surgical approach to temporal lobe epilepsy, one of the most common forms of the disorder. He is currently helping define the cellular and metabolic mechanisms by which epilepsy develops. Spencer's achievements were recognized with the AES-Milken Family Foundation Clinical Investigator Award. Epilepsy is the third most common neurological disorder in adults, after Alzheimer's disease and stroke. It affects 50 million people worldwide, including three million in the United States.

Schizophrenia researcher honored

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 01:24:45 +0000

Thomas H. McGlashan, M.D., professor of psychiatry, received the Stanley Dean Research Award from the American College of Psychiatrists for his contributions to the treatment of schizophrenic disorders. The college’s 2008 awards recognized top psychiatrists for their contributions to the field and their work in mood disorders, schizophrenia, geriatric psychiatry, and education. McGlashan led numerous studies leading to a better understanding of the diagnosis, treatment, and progression of schizophrenia. The American College of Psychiatrists is a not-for-profit honorary association dedicated to educating its members and promoting the latest advances in the specialty and supporting the highest standards in psychiatry.

Fisher honored as outstanding gastroenterologist

Mon, 7 Jan 2008 23:00:08 +0000

Rosemarie Fisher, professor of medicine (digestive diseases) and pediatrics and associate dean for graduate medical education, was chosen as one of the 2008 Outstanding AGA Women in Gastroenterology by the AGA Foundation. In conjunction with this honor, the foundation is raising money to endow the Sara Jordan Research Scholar Award, which will be given once every three years in the names of the 2008 honorees. A celebration will be held in San Diego in May.

Yale neurosurgeon named American Epilepsy Society president

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:41:45 +0000

Dennis D. Spencer, chair of neurosurgery, was elected president of the American Epilepsy Society (AES), the professional society for physicians and scientists who study and treat epilepsy. Internationally recognized in the surgical treatment of the neurological diseases that cause epilepsy, Spencer developed a surgical approach to temporal lobe epilepsy, one of the most common forms of the disorder. He's currently helping define the cellular and metabolic mechanisms by which epilepsy develops. Spencer's achievements were recognized with the AES-Milken Family Foundation Clinical Investigator Award. Epilepsy is the third most common neurological disorder in adults after Alzheimer's disease and stroke. It affects 50 million people worldwide, including three million in the United States.

Yale researcher to lead epilepsy group

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:42:16 +0000

Joyce Cramer, a research scientist at the medical school, will serve as the new president of the Epilepsy Therapy Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing new therapies for people living with epilepsy. Cramer, who has been a member of ETP's board of directors since its inception in 2001, and has been instrumental in helping the organization promote its mission of advancing translational medicine in epilepsy. Cramer's career includes decades of work in epilepsy and clinical trials to evaluate treatment outcomes in the fields of neurology and pharmacology. To learn more about ETP, go to their website at www.epilepsy.com.

Epidemiologist will advise on food-related issues

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:42:41 +0000

Susan Mayne, professor of epidemiology and public health, was recently appointed to the Food and Nutrition Board, a unit of the Institute of Medicine that makes recommendations on ways to promote public health and prevent diet-related diseases by improving food quality and safety. The multidisciplinary FNB has identified three areas for its work: food, nutrition and health; food safety, quality and adequacy; and international food and nutrition. "National policy makers need advice on nutrition and food science matters to ensure that their decisions are supported with the beset scientific analysis,” Mayne said. “The FNB is in an excellent position to examine and provide guidance on issues of food and health today and into the 21st century."

Tourette's expert receives NARSAD award

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 21:09:51 +0000

James F. Leckman, was honored October 19 by NARSAD, the world's leading charity dedicated to mental health research. The Neison Harris Professor of Child Psychiatry, Psychiatry, Psychology and Pediatrics in the Child Study Center, Leckman received the Ruane Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research. Leckman, whose work focuses on autism, Tourette's disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder, is one of five scientists to receive a 2007 prize.

Immunobiologist wins young researcher prize

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:41:05 +0000

Ruslan Medzhitov, professor, section of immunobiology, and an investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, was among five young researchers from the tristate area to win a New York Academy of Sciences Blavatnik Award for Young Scientists. The $25,000 award, given out for the first time, recognizes scientists and engineers born on or after Jan. 1, 1965, who have contributed significantly to interdisciplinary research. The Blavatnik Charitable Foundation funds the awards.

Carolyn Mazure Honored for Work on Women's Health Research

Thu, 4 Oct 2007 21:19:29 +0000

Carolyn M. Mazure has received the 2007 Marion Spencer Fay Award, which honors a distinguished woman physician or scientist whose national leadership has had a major impact on research and the application of science to health care.

Hongyu Zhao elected a fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (IMS)

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 02:58:11 +0000

Hongyu Zhao, PH.D., professor of public health and genetics, was elected a fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (IMS), an organization that fosters the development and dissemination of theory and applications of statistics and probability. The IMS honored Zhao for his "fundamental contributions to statistical genomics, genetic epidemiology, and computational biology."

Kim Woodrow honored with 2007 Fellowship for Women in Science

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 02:58:15 +0000

Kim Woodrow, PH.D., a postdoctoral fellow in biomedical engineering, is one of the five American women recently honored by L'Oréal USA with their 2007 Fellowships for Women in Science. These competitive $40,000 grants are given to encourage women scientists at the beginning of their careers. Woodrow is designing biodegradable nanoparticles that can direct themselves to specific targets in cells and deliver drugs to treat cancer and infectious diseases.

Craig Roy won the 2007 Eli Lilly Award

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 02:58:18 +0000

Craig R. Roy, PH.D., associate professor of microbial pathogenesis, won the 2007 Eli Lilly Award from American Society for Microbiology (ASM). The award is the ASM's oldest and most prestigious prize, and the awardee delivers the Eli Lilly Award Lecture at the society’s annual meeting. Roy studies the bacterium Legionella pneumophila, the agent responsible for Legionnaire's disease, and how it interacts with cells it infects.

Gil Mor received the J. Christian Herr Award

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 02:58:23 +0000

Gil Mor, M.D., associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences, has received the J. Christian Herr Award from American Society for Reproductive Immunology. This award is given annually to recognize a scientist who has made outstanding achievements in the field. Mor specializes in the immunology of reproductive organs, including implantation and tumor immunology. Recently Mor created a new diagnostic test for early detection of ovarian cancer, and developed new drugs to treat it.

Barbara Kazmierczak and Yorgo Modis received Investigators in Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease awards

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 02:58:25 +0000

Barbara I. Kazmierczak, M.D., PH.D., M.S., associate professor of medicine and microbial pathogenesis, and Yorgo E. Modis, PH.D., assistant professor of molecular biophysics and biochemistry, have received Investigators in Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease awards from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. Each award provides $500,000 for multidisciplinary research. Kazmierczak studies how Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that frequently causes hospital-acquired infection, is recognized by innate immune defenses. Modis's research explores how flaviviruses, such as West Nile or dengue virus, get into cells. Understanding this process could lead to vaccines for these currently untreatable emerging global health threats.

Henry Binder receives the Distinguished Mentor Award

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 02:58:32 +0000

Henry J. Binder, M.D., professor of medicine and cellular and molecular physiology, received the Distinguished Mentor Award from the American Gastroenterological Association, the premier professional organization in the field. The award recognizes his leadership in mentoring young physician-scientists and establishing Yale's Gastrointestinal Research Training Program, which has flourished for 35 years. Binder studies electrolyte transport in the large intestine and the mechanism and treatment of diarrheal diseases.

Christopher Breuer awarded Doris Duke Clinical Scientist Development Award

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 02:58:36 +0000

Christopher K. Breuer, M.D., assistant professor of surgery and pediatrics, has been awarded a Doris Duke Clinical Scientist Development Award. These awards provide grants to junior physician-scientists to help them establish their own clinical research labs. Breuer aims to engineer living blood vessels and heart conduits that can grow along with a patient, which would be a boon to pediatric heart surgeons.

Bernard Forget named a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 02:58:41 +0000

Bernard G. Forget, M.D., professor of medicine and genetics, was named a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Members of the Academy, an independent policy research center, represent scholars at the top of their disciplines. Forget researches the mechanisms of gene expression during red blood cell differentiation, as well as the disorders that can result when this process goes awry.