Dr. Jessica G. Davis, associate professor of clinical pediatrics, received the 2013 Award for Excellence in Human Genetics Education from the American Society of Human Genetics. This annual award recognizes one individual who has made exceptional contributions to genetics education. Typically, recipients have made contributions in multiple areas of genetic science, have contributions that are influential to individuals and/or organizations and have many years of experience in the field of genetic education. The society is the primary professional membership organization for human genetics specialists worldwide.
Dr. Farida M.F. Gadalla, professor of clinical anesthesiology and professor of clinical anesthesiology in obstetrics and gynecology, was appointed vice chair of the New York Academy of Medicine fellows' specialty section on anesthesiology and resuscitation. The purpose of the group is the study and advancement of knowledge in the field. The New York Academy of Medicine is committed to addressing the health challenges facing the world's urban populations.
Dr. Peter Grunert, a fellow on a research team led by Dr. Roger Hartl, director of spinal surgery and neurotrauma and associate professor of neurological surgery, was awarded the first-place award for best basic science abstract and presentation at the annual meeting of the Minimally Invasive Neurosurgical Society. Dr. Grunert presented on the annular repair project he is working on with Dr. Härtl and Dr. Larry Bonassar. The project team has developed a new collagen gel that is capable of repairing defects in intervertebral discs, thereby preventing herniation and degeneration of these discs after discectomy.
Dr. Madhu Mazumdar, chief of Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology in the Department of Public Health and professor of biostatistics in public health, was invited to join the Young Researcher Award Committee for the International Indian Statistical Association. The association is a nonprofit organization that promotes education, research and application of statistics and probability throughout the world with a special emphasis on the Indian subcontinent.
David M. Snead, a fifth year M.D.-Ph.D. student was recently awarded a coveted National Institutes of Health fellowship from its National Institute of Mental Health. Snead's study, titled "Biophysical Characterization of Complexin C-terminal Domain Lipid Interactions," aims to characterize the interaction of the critical presynaptic protein complexin with phospholipid bilayers and to understand how this interaction contributes to synaptic function. Snead works in Dr. David Elizer's laboratory at Weill Cornell.