Academic Honors & Events

Hail the Editor-in-Chief — Dr. Steven Libutti has been named editor-in-chief of Cancer Gene Therapy, a leading journal for cancer researchers and clinicians employing gene and cellular therapies. An established expert in the field, Dr. Libutti’s research focuses on the development of novel cancer therapies by seeking better understanding of the interactions between tumor cells and host cells within the context of the tumor microenvironment. Dr. Libutti is professor and vice chair of surgery at Einstein and Montefiore Medical Center, as well as director of the Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care.

Prestigious Lecture — Dr. Michael Brownlee will present an International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Award Lecture (basic research category) during the World Diabetes Congress, to be held December 2 to 6, in Melbourne, Australia. He is one of two researchers to receive this prestigious honor. The World Diabetes Congress is among the largest health-related meetings in the world; more than 20,000 health professionals from 160 countries are expected to attend. Dr. Brownlee is professor of medicine and of pathology and holds the Anita and Jack Saltz Chair of Diabetes Research at Einstein. He also is associate director for biomedical sciences in Einstein’s Diabetes Research Center. A webcast of his presentation is available at http://conference2.idf.org/MEL2013/IDF2013/0134/default.aspx 

Professional Recognition — Dr. Noboru Hiroi was elected a member of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP). The honor recognizes his contributions to both the field, through his studies of the genetic basis of nicotine dependence and neuropsychiatric disorders, and to the ACNP. Dr. Hiroi also was designated the top reviewer for the ACNP’s journal Neuropsycopharmacology, for which he is on the editorial board. Dr. Hiroi is professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and of neuroscience, and associate professor of genetics. 

Panel Participant — Dr. Betsy Herold recently was among a quartet of HIV/AIDS experts who took part in a panel discussion, “HIV/AIDS: Strategies for an Endgame,” during an online offering of the Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology. Keystone Symposia aims to be a catalyst for the advancement of biomedical and life sciences by connecting scientists within and across disciplines at conferences and workshops held at venues that create an environment for exchanging information, generating new ideas and accelerating applications that benefit society Dr. Herold is professor of pediatrics, of microbiology & immunology and of obstetrics & gynecology and women’s health. She also holds the Harold and Muriel Block Chair in Pediatrics and is director of Einstein’s Translational Prevention Research Center.

GREAT Leadership — Dr. Victoria Freedman has been elected chair of the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Graduate Research, Education and Training (GREAT) Group. The GREAT Group, a national organization comprised of Ph.D. and M.D.-Ph.D. program leadership, focuses on improving the education and training of students and postdoctoral fellows in biomedical sciences.  Dr. Freedman is associate dean for graduate programs in biomedical sciences and assistant professor of microbiology & immunology. 

Valued Volunteer — Dr. Ileana Piña recently received the Chairman’s Award for excellence in volunteerism from the American Heart Association (AHA). The award, presented at the organization’s Scientific Sessions 2013, held in Dallas, recognized Dr. Piña’s dedication to advancing the goals of the AHA; in particular, her efforts in promoting equality in healthcare and cardiovascular wellness were noted. Dr. Piña is professor of medicine and of epidemiology & population health at Einstein and associate chief of cardiology at Montefiore.

Laudatory Lecture — The National Institutes of Health (NIH) welcomed Dr. Arturo Casadevall to deliver the Joseph J. Kinyoun Memorial Lecture. Established in 1979, the lecture series honors the memory and scholarship of Dr. Kinyoun, founder of the NIH’s forerunner—the Laboratory of Hygiene—in 1887, which launched a new era of scientific study of infectious disease. Dr. Casadevall discussed the origins of microbial virulence, with a focus on why some microorganisms, such as fungi, don’t typically seem to affect human beings as much as insects or plants. He is professor and chair of microbiology & immunology, as well as professor of medicine and director of the Center for Immunological Diseases. Dr. Casadevall also holds the Leo and Julia Forchheimer Chair in Microbiology & Immunology.

Recognizing Excellence — Dr. Henry Chung received the Lewis and Jack Rudin New York Prize for Medicine and Health from the New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) and the Greater New York Hospital Association Foundation (GNYHA) along with Dr. Ruth Browne, CEO of the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health. The prize was established in 2003 by the NYAM and GNYHA, together with the Rudin Family Foundation, to honor medical professionals from New York City institutions whose efforts demonstrate how the healthcare delivery system can work effectively with partners in public health and the community to address prevention, community health and health policy issues. Dr. Chung is associate professor of clinical psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Einstein, and chief medical officer of Montefiore Medical Center’s Care Management Program and medical director of its Accountable Care Organization.

Contributing to Healthy Childhoods — The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section on Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics recently presented Dr. Ruth Stein with its C. Anderson Aldrich Award in Child Development at the organization’s annual national conference and exhibition. The award recognizes Dr. Stein’s outstanding contributions in the field of child development. With a membership of 60,000 pediatricians, the AAP is committed to the optimal physical, mental and social health for all infants, children, adolescents and young adults. It has been issuing the C. Anderson Aldrich Award in Child Development since 1964. Dr. Stein is professor of pediatrics.

Winning Image — A team of Einstein researchers led by Dr. Paul Frenette, have received the 2013 Inveon Image of the Year Award for their submission illustrating their study of prostate cancer in mice. The annual award, run by Siemens Healthcare Global, invites customers to demonstrate their use of the company’s scanners in conducting quality research. Entries are evaluated on the basis of scientific merit, image quality and presentation for each category. Dr. Frenette’s team included faculty members Drs. Linda Jelicks and Eugene Fine, and Wade Koba. Dr. Frenette is professor of medicine and of cell biology; Dr. Jelicks is associate professor of physiology & biophysics; Dr. Fine is clinical professor of radiology; and Mr. Koba is an associate in radiology.