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Awards and Recognitions

Alaimo earns grant to study Pitt-Hopkins

Dr. Joseph Alaimo, postdoctoral associate in molecular and human genetics, has received the 2016 Tily Hadlow Young Investigator Award from the Pitt Hopkins Research Foundation. This $75,000 grant supports his research on the rare genetic disease Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome. The award is named in honor of a young girl with the disease. Dr. Sarah Elsea, associate professor of molecular and human genetics, is Alaimo’s co-investigator and research mentor.

Harris receives psychiatric association award

Dr. Toi Harris, associate provost of institutional diversity and student services, has been selected to receive the 2016 Jeanne Spurlock Minority Fellowship Achievement Award from the American Psychiatric Association Foundation. The award recognizes the outstanding achievements of former fellows in the APA’s Minority Fellowship Program and their continued involvement in the program. She will be honored at the association’s annual meeting in Atlanta in May.

Zoghbi receives prestigious NAS honor and Northwestern award

Dr. Huda Zoghbi, professor of molecular and human genetics, pediatrics, neurology, and neuroscience at Baylor, will be the recipient of this year’s prestigious Jessie Stevenson Kovalenko Medal from the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of her outstanding contributions to research in the medical sciences. She will be honored at the academy’s 153rd annual meeting in May. Zoghbi also was named as the inaugural recipient of the Nemmers Prize in Medical Science at Northwestern University for her research contributions. She will deliver a lecture and participate in other scholarly activities in the coming year at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine.

Events

Tailgate for Houston Super Bowl is Feb. 8

The TMC is hosting a tailgate on Monday, Feb. 8, to celebrate the 2017 Super Bowl, which will be held in Houston. Join the fun at the McGovern Commons, 6550 Bertner, starting at 11:30 a.m. The first 750 guests will get free hotdogs, hamburgers and treats, and there will be prizes and entertainment.

Alford Distinguished Lecture Feb. 11 on HPV-associated cancer

Dr. Robert Ferris of the University of Pittsburgh Medical School will speak on therapeutic targets for HPV-associated head and neck cancers at the second annual Bobby R. Alford MD Grand Rounds Distinguished Lecture Thursday, Feb. 11, at 1 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium. A reception will follow in Rayzor Lounge. The Alford Distinguished Lecture is endowed by Diana Helis Henry and Adrienne Helis Malvin Medical Research Foundations.

DocTalk on Feb. 12 on coronary artery disease

Heart health is the focus of the next DocTalk on Friday, Feb. 12, at noon at the Baylor Clinic 11th floor conference room. Dr. Guilherme Silva, assistant professor of medicine, will speak on coronary artery disease – how to prevent it and treat it. DocTalk is an informal series of lunchtime talks with Baylor doctors on a variety of health topics, followed by a Q&A. Eligible employees who attend will receive BCM BeWell Vitality points.

Conversation with TMC health policy grant recipients

The TMC’s Health Policy Institute recently awarded grants aimed at promoting collaboration, shaping health policy and improving the lives of Texans. Grant recipients and other TMC leaders, including Dr. Paul Klotman, will participate in a conversation-style event Monday, Feb. 15, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Trevisio Restaurant. Students, faculty, doctors, nurses and other members of the healthcare and academic community are invited to this free event to learn more about the projects and the Health Policy Institute. Find more information and register online.

Marfan Walk Feb. 20

The Marfan Foundation will host the Houston Walk for Victory on Feb. 20 at Discovery Green, and there are two Baylor/TCH teams. Marfan Syndrome is a genetic connective tissue disorder that affects the heart, eyes and bones. Register online and join Coselli’s Crusaders or Team Texas Children’s.

College News

Retirement one-on-one consultations

At the new year, many people resolve to take charge of their finances. Make an appointment with Fidelity or TIAA-CREF for a complimentary one-on-one retirement consultation. Eligible employees can earn 200 BCM BeWell Vitality points by meeting with a consultant. Contact ask-retirement@bcm.edu or call 713-798-1500 for more information.

Respiratory protection program

Baylor’s respiratory protection program ensures that all employees required to wear respiratory protection as part of their jobs are protected through the proper use and application of respirators. This is accomplished through a process known as “fit testing.” The Office of Environmental Safety offers initial and annual refresher fit testing on an appointment basis in Ben Taub Annex room 215 and on a monthly basis at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. To learn more about OES’s respiratory fit-testing program, contact James Powell at 713-798-6652 or jpowell@bcm.edu or visit the Requirements for the Use of Respiratory Protection page.

Diversity Engagement Survey

The Diversity Engagement Survey deadline has been extended to Feb. 8 in order to give more faculty, trainees and staff the opportunity to participate.

Faculty in the News

Dr. Peter Hotez spoke with numerous media outlets on Zika. See this and Baylor's other news media mentions in this week’s Faculty in the News.

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