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on cell fate patterning in the nervous system
while Mandel received the award for her
investigation of regulation of gene expression
and function in the nervous system.
BRIAN J. DRUKER, an HHMI investigator
at Oregon Health & Science University, was
awarded the American Society of Hematology’s
2011 Ernest Beutler Lecture and Prize.
The annual award is presented to two individuals:
a scientist who has enabled advances
in basic science and a scientist who has
facilitated achievements in clinical science
or translational medicine. Druker shares the
honor with Janet Rowley of the University
of Chicago Medical Center for their contributions
to the diagnosis and treatment of
chronic myeloid leukemia.
HHMI-GBMF investigator JORGE DUB-
COVSKY of the University of California,
Davis, received a 2011 U.S. Department
of Agriculture Secretary’s Honor Award for
exceptional leadership in science, public
policy, and management. Dubcovsky and
the members of his Barley, Wheat, Potato
and Tomato Coordinated Agricultural Project
team were selected for identifying genetic
variations that enhance productivity of these
food crops.
The National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke appointed DAVID
D. GINTY, an HHMI investigator at the
Johns Hopkins University School of
Medicine, to its National Advisory Neurological
Disorders and Stroke Council. Ginty’s
laboratory looks at the assembly and function
of nerves and circuits underlying the
sense of touch.
ROBERT GRASSUCCI, a senior microscopist
in HHMI investigator Joachim Frank’s laboratory
at the Columbia University College
of Physicians and Surgeons, was presented
with the Hildegard H. Crowley Outstanding
Technologist Award in Biological Sciences.
The prize, given by the Microscopy Society
of America, honors technologists who make
contributions that have advanced microscopy
and microanalysis.
HHMI investigators TYLER JACKS of the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and
OWEN N. WITTE of the University of California,
Los Angeles, were appointed to key
administration posts by President Barack
Obama. Jacks became a member of the
National Cancer Advisory Board, an advisory
committee to the National Cancer
Institute. He will serve for six years. Witte
was selected to serve a two-year term on
the President’s Cancer Panel, which monitors
the development and execution of the
National Cancer Program.
The Society for Neuroscience presented
STEPHEN G. LISBERGER, an HHMI investigator
at Duke University, with the 2011
Bernice Grafstein Award for Outstanding
Accomplishments in Mentoring. The annual
award recognizes individuals who facilitate
women’s entry and retention in the field of
neuroscience through mentoring.
PETER W. REDDIEN, an HHMI early career
scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, won the 2012 Harland Winfield
Mossman Award in Developmental Biology
given by the American Association of Anatomists.
The prize recognizes Reddien’s work
demonstrating the pluripotent stem cell-like
nature of tissue in planaria and defining key
pathways involved in regeneration.
MICHAEL ROSBASH, an HHMI investigator
at Brandeis University, was awarded the 2011
Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize from Columbia
University. Rosbash shares the award with
Jeffrey C. Hall, also of Brandeis University,
and Michael W. Young of the Rockefeller
University for work on the molecular basis of
circadian rhythms.
HHMI investigator JACK W. SZOSTAK
of the Massachusetts General Hospital
received the 2011 Harold C. Urey Medal
from ISSOL, The International Astrobiology
Society. Szostak’s goal is to construct a simple,
artificial cell that can grow, divide, and
undergo Darwinian evolution to adapt to its
changing environment.
The Linda and Jack Gill Center for Biomolecular
Science at Indiana University
presented LESLIE B. VOSSHALL, an HHMI
investigator at the Rockefeller University,
with the 2011 Gill Young Investigator Award.
The award recognizes Vosshall’s research on
how complex behaviors such as odor detection
are modulated by external cues and
internal physiological states.
SPOTLIGHT
Bassler Wins L’Oréal-UNESCO Award
Bonnie L. Bassler
Paul Fetters
February 2o12 | HHMI BULLETIN
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