Academic Honors & Events

Stimulating Chemical Reaction — Dr. Vern Schramm was invited to deliver the 29th annual H. Martin Friedman Lecture at Brooklyn College. Each year, the lecture series features a distinguished scientist whose presentation on a topic within the field of chemistry is designed to inspire undergraduate students and stimulate interest in science as a career. Dr. Schramm is professor and chair of biochemistry and the Ruth Merns Chair in Biochemistry. 

Cancer Advancements — Dr. Orsolya Giricz received an American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Millennium Scholar in Training Award while representing Einstein at the 2014 AACR annual meeting. Dr. Giricz also was invited to deliver a presentation on the notable advancements she has made during the past year in the understanding and potential treatment of cancer. She is an associate in medicine, and a member of Dr. Verma Amit’s lab.

Keeping Tendons Young — Drs. Herb Sun and Mia Thi recently attended the annual Orthopedic Research Society meeting, at which they each delivered podium and poster presentations. Dr. Thi’s presentation was given during a spotlight session. The duo’s research on tendon stem cell aging also was featured in a society press release. Dr. Sun is associate professor of radiation oncology and of orthopaedic surgery. Dr. Thi is assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery. 

Select Excellence — Dr. Belinda Ostrowsky presented “Antibiotic Stewardship in Hospitals Serving the Underserved,” at the 2014 general meeting of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), which showcased today's cutting edge science in diverse areas of microbiology. The ASM highlighted Dr. Ostrowsky’s presentation, including it among a select group that were featured in the event’s press room. Dr. Ostrowsky is associate professor of clinical medicine. 

Recognizing Excellence — Drs. Joshua Nosanchuk and Steven Porcelli have been elected as fellows of the American Academy of Microbiology. This honor recognizes the respective scientific achievement and original contributions that each has made to advance microbiology. Dr. Nosanchuk is assistant dean for student affairs and professor of microbiology & immunology and of medicine. Dr. Porcelli is professor of microbiology & immunology and of medicine, as well as the Murray and Evelyne Weinstock Chair in Microbiology & Immunology. 

Mapping the Brain — On March 20, 2014, Dr. Scott Emmons participated as an invited speaker of the Virtual BRAIN Initiative Panel Discussion, hosted by BioConference Live Neuroscience. This webcast event brought together neuroscientists from around the world to discuss and learn about the latest advancements in neuroscience research focused on understanding the human brain. Dr. Emmons talked about “connectomics,” a new field of research aimed at mapping connections between nerve cells within the brain toward furthering our understanding of how the brain works. He also discussed his laboratory’s efforts with mapping the nervous system of a worm, Caenorhabditis elegans—one of the first discoveries made in the field of connectomics. Dr. Emmons is professor of genetics and of neuroscience. He also holds the Siegfried Ullmann Chair in Molecular Genetics. 

Decoding Diabetes — Dr. Michael Brownlee organized a Keystone Symposia meeting on Complications of Diabetes that was held from March 23 to 28, 2014, in British Columbia, Canada. The meeting featured seminars, workshops and poster presentations. In addition, scientists from diverse backgrounds discussed the latest developments in diabetes research addressing new approaches for understanding why diabetic complications occur and the design of novel preventive measures and therapies. Dr. Brownlee is professor of medicine and of pathology, as well as the Anita and Jack Saltz Chair in Diabetes Research. 

Top Paper — Dr. Scott Emmons and colleagues have been awarded the 2013 Newcomb Cleveland Prize of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences (AAAS). The honor is the Association's oldest prize, given to the author(s) of an exceptional paper in the journal Science between June 2012 and May 2013. The selected paper reported the researchers’ comprehensive mapping of the neural connections in an adult male nematode that are responsible for mating behavior. Dr. Emmons accepted the prize during the 180th AAAS annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois on February 14, 2014. He shares the prize with lead authors Travis Jarrell and Dr. Yi Wang, as well as Adam Bloniarz, Christopher Brittin, Meng Xu and Dr. David Hall, all at Einstein; and J. Nichol Thompson and Dr. Donna Albertson of the MRC Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England. Dr. Emmons is professor of genetics and of neuroscience, as well as the Siegfried Ullmann Chair in Molecular Genetics. 

Leader in His Field — Expertscape has ranked Dr. Eric Hollander among the top ten leading anxiety disorder research experts worldwide. Expertscape, an organization dedicated to helping consumers find health professionals with extensive expertise, recently publicized its ranking of various specialists and institutions within the field of anxiety disorder research as a part of its ongoing campaign to recognize excellence in health and healthcare. Dr. Hollander is professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences.

Elected to Service — Dr. Genevieve Neal-Perry has been elected to serve a three-year term as a council member of the Endocrine Society—the world’s oldest and most active endocrinology research and clinical practice organization, representing more than 17,000 endocrinologists. Dr. Neal-Perry has been a member of the Endocrine Society for 13 years, serving on numerous committees and as an editorial board member for the society’s journal, Endocrinology. Dr. Neal-Perry is associate dean for diversity mentoring and associate professor of obstetrics & gynecology and women’s health, and of neuroscience.