NIDCR's Swisher Honored
Dr. Jennifer Swisher, a second-year postdoctoral fellow in the NIGMS Pharmacology Research Associate Program, recently won first place in the Presidential Student Awards in Research competition sponsored by the Society for Leukocyte Biology. She was one of four finalists who gave platform presentations at the society's 36th annual meeting. Swisher's topic was "Mitochondrial TGF-beta: Potential Mechanisms for Its Import and Function." Competitors were judged on scientific merit, presentation style and facility in answering questions. Swisher conducts research in the cellular immunology section of NIDCR. Her research interests include studying a novel role for TGF-beta in regulating cell death in mitochondria. She received a plaque, travel funds and a cash award.
McFarland Wins Charcot Award
NINDS intramural scientist Dr. Henry McFarland, director of the Clinical Neurosciences Program and chief of the Neuroimmunology Branch, recently received the 2003 Charcot Award for lifetime achievement in multiple sclerosis research. Sponsored by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF), the award was presented at a Berlin conference where McFarland presented the Charcot Lecture titled, "The Changing Face of MS." A world-renowned leader in the field of neuroimmunology and, in particular, in MS research, McFarland also conducts research in the areas of neurovirology, immunology, genetics, clinical trials and imaging. His laboratory team studies the cellular immune response to autoantigens of the central nervous system and examines therapeutic strategies targeting this response. They also study the natural history of MS using magnetic resonance imaging and identify effective designs for clinical trials of new therapies for MS. The Charcot Award is presented every 2 years for a lifetime of outstanding research contributions to the understanding or treatment of MS. The winner is selected by an international panel of experts set up by the chair of the MSIF international medical and scientific board.
Clinical Center's Gallelli Wins Craigie Award
Dr. Joseph Gallelli was presented with the Andrew Craigie Award of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States on Nov. 20, "for sustained accomplishments and leadership in advancing professional pharmacy and supporting clinical research at the National Institutes of Health." The award is presented to an individual who has had a career of outstanding accomplishments in the advancement of professional pharmacy within the federal government. Gallelli has been a research pharmacist at the Clinical Center for nearly 40 years. From 1962 to 1970, he served as chief of the pharmaceutical development service and was later promoted to pharmacy department chief, where he served until 1995. Today he is a senior advisor for biotechnology product development; he oversees and advises on the manufacture and development of biopharmaceuticals and biotechnology products for human use. Among Gallelli's accomplishments are publication of the first text on the compatibility and chemical stability of intravenous medications based on original research conducted in his lab; publication of guidelines and recommendations on the safe handling, chemical inactivation and disposal of injectable antineoplastic drugs; and establishment of the first post-graduate hospital pharmacy residency training program, which has graduated dozens of pharmacists in leadership positions today.
Children's Inn Volunteer Lauded
Katie Finn, a management analyst in the Office of Management Assessment, OD, was recently named one of the winners of the 2003 Toyota Tribute to Working Women Awards for her 13 years of service to the Children's Inn at NIH, and for her contributions to her community and workplace. She was honored during a luncheon at the Westin Embassy Row Hotel, hosted by ABC 7 news anchor Kathleen Matthews. Finn was among the first volunteers when the inn opened in 1990, and has logged more than 3,100 hours of service to the facility. She continues to work at the inn every week. "Katie's special gift is the ability to touch others' hearts and give them strength, hope, love and encouragement to make each day as bright as possible," said Laura King, the inn's director of volunteers, in the award nomination.
NCI Publications Honored
The National Cancer Institute's Facing Forward series recently received two awards from the 2003 annual National Health Information Awards, established 10 years ago as a seal of quality for consumer health information. Facing Forward: Life After Cancer Treatment, which explores post-treatment issues such as follow-up medical care, physical and emotional changes, changes in social relationships and workplace issues, received a silver award. Facing Forward: Ways to Make a Difference in Cancer, which provides an overview of the potential benefits of involvement in activities that give back to one's community and how one can become involved, received a bronze award. Both publications, part of a series created by NCI's Office of Education and Special Initiatives and the Office of Cancer Survivorship, also received Plain Language Awards this year from NIH.
The booklets can be ordered from NCI's Cancer Information Service by calling 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) or by visiting http://cancer.gov/publications. Facing Forward: Life After Cancer Treatment is also available in Spanish (Siga adelante: la vida después del tratamiento del cancer).
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