From the Labs
Houston, Texas
Volume 8, Issue 9
November 2009

Briefs

2009 DeBakey Excellence in Research Award winners named

Five Baylor College of Medicine scientists are this year's recipients of the annual Michael E. DeBakey, M.D., Excellence in Research Awards, given annually to faculty who have made the most significant published contributions to clinical or basic research during the past three years.

Recipients include:

Drs. Lawrence Chan, professor of medicine and molecular and cellular biology, and Vijay Yechoor, assistant professor of medicine (joint award)

Dr. Christophe Herman, assistant professor of molecular and human genetics

Dr. Grzegorz Ira, assistant professor of molecular and human genetics

Dr. JoAnne Richards, professor of molecular and cellular biology

Shine new president of International Society for Neurochemistry

Dr. H. David Shine, associate professor of neurosurgery at Baylor College of Medicine, was installed as president of the International Society for Neurochemistry at the group's 22nd biennial meeting in Busan, South Korea.

Shine, who also holds appointments in the department of neuroscience, molecular and cellular biology and the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at BCM, will hold the presidency for two years. His research focuses on molecular neurobiology, nervous system regeneration and gene therapy of the nervous system.

The International Society of Neurochemistry is a professional society of molecular and cellular neuroscientists with world-wide membership.

In addition to its biennial meeting the society publishes the Journal of Neurochemistry, supports meetings of its regional sister societies and special conferences and symposia, and provides financial support for investigators in economically deprived and developing countries.

Vallbona honored for hospital district service

Dr. Carlos Vallbona, professor of family and community medicine, was honored by the Harris County Hospital District for his four-decades of leadership in the HCHD Community Health Program.

In 1969, Dr. Vallbona became chair of community medicine and his primary responsibility was to provide medical faculty to staff the neighborhood health centers of the HCHD, which was one of the first large health systems to provide integrated primary and preventive health care to medically underserved communities. Under his leadership, the department formed an alliance with HCHD personnel and community physicians and created the Community Health Program.

In September, Dr. Vallbona, who also serves as chief of staff of the HCHD Community Health Program, was one of five individuals honored by the Houston Wellness Association as a "Houston health and wellness trailblazer in the Hispanic community" for his leadership in the community.

Waterland receives Nick Hales Award

Dr. Robert Waterland, assistant professor of pediatrics and molecular and human genetics at the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at BCM, has been selected as the recipient of the Nick Hales Award from the International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. The award is given to a young investigator who has made a significant contribution to the field.

Waterland's research focuses on epigenetics, or inheritable changes in the ways genes are expressed.