Kaiser-Kupfer Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Muriel Kaiser-Kupfer, chief of the Ophthalmic Genetics and Clinical Services Branch, National Eye Institute, recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cystinosis Foundation. Cystinosis is a genetic disorder in which cystine crystals accumulate in organs and tissues throughout the body, including the eye. In the eye, the deposits of crystals cause many symptoms including severe pain and discomfort sometimes so incapacitating that the patient cannot open the lids. One of the world's leading researchers in the eye complications of cystinosis, Kaiser-Kupfer has authored or coauthored more than 100 scientific papers on eye diseases and disorders. Her collaboration with Dr. William Gahl of NICHD led to an important treatment to prevent the severe eye symptoms associated with cystinosis. A specialist in ophthalmic genetics, she reached a significant scientific milestone in 1987 when she described, in the New England Journal of Medicine, a procedure to remove the crystals in the cornea by administering topical cysteamine eyedrops in patients with nephropathic cystinosis. Kaiser-Kupfer has been involved in genetic research at NEI since 1972.
NIH Fencer to Compete in World Championships
Dr. Larry Pinkus, a scientific review administrator for the pathology A study section in the Center for Scientific Review, has been selected to participate in the Veterans World Fencing Championships to be held in Siofok, Hungary, Aug. 20-22.
A fencer for the past 34 years after taking up the sport as an undergraduate at Johns Hopkins University, Pinkus is president and coach of the NIH R&W Fencing Club. He will compete in the age 50-59 sabre team at the world championships. Selection was based on points earned in three veteran's (age 40 and older) national tournaments. Pinkus was chosen by the U.S. Fencing Association following his performance in the recent Summer Nationals Fencing Championships in Charlotte, N.C., where he placed third in the combined sabre national championships.
Pinkus was formerly sabre champion of the Southeast, many times champion of Virginia, and previously was a member of the U.S. team for international competition in 1995.
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