BCM Family NewsLink, May 11, 2012
Please submit items for the weekly BCM Family NewsLink to Dana Benson.
Awards and Recognitions
Harpavat honored for child advocacy
Dr. Sanjiv Harpavat, a clinical postdoctoral fellow in pediatrics – gastroenterology, was awarded the Children at Risk Child Health Advocacy Award for his commitment to the health needs of children. His effort to improve the offerings of fast food restaurants at Texas Children's Hospital was cited as one example of his dedication to children's health.
Lectureship named for Mitch
The Latin American Society for Nephrology Hypertension honored Dr. William Mitch, professor of medicine – nephrology, for his commitment to the organization and to improving health in Latin America through the establishment of the William E. Mitch Lectureship. The lecture will be part of the biannual congress to honor a Latin American scientist who has made major contributions to nephrology, education or patient care. The inaugural lectureship was held last month at the SLANH biannual congress in Colombia, where Mitch was the special guest. In addition, a grant in Mitch's name will be made by the American Society of Nephrology for membership to Latin American fellows of nephrology.
Heart Association honors
Three Baylor College of Medicine researchers have been awarded grants from the American Heart Association. Dr. Yuxiang Sun, assistant professor of pediatrics at the Children's Nutrition Research Center at BCM, Dr. Stephanie Greene, postdoctoral fellow in molecular physiology, and Dr. Weiqin Chen, postdoctoral associate in medicine – endocrinology, were presented a check for $546,000. A portion of the check went to each researcher to help support research that works toward the prevention of heart attack and stroke. A reception was held for colleagues and lab members of each researcher to celebrate the award.
Events
Renowned cancer researcher to speak at BCM May 17
Dr. Robert A. Weinberg, professor of biology, director of the Ludwig Center for Molecular Oncology and founding member of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will give a lecture Thursday, May 17, at 3:30 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium.
Weinberg is the distinguished lecturer of the Diana Helis Henry Medical Research Foundation and Adrienne Helis Malvin Medical Research Foundation Joint Lecture Series in Cancer Research, organized by the NCI-designated Dan L Duncan Cancer Center. His lecture is titled "Metastasis, Cancer Stem Cells and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition."
A reception will follow in the BCM courtyard. For more information, contact Jennifer Hopkins at 713-798-4590 or jh3@bcm.edu.
College News
Travel Medicine Clinic opens
The BCM Travel Medicine Clinic opened May 10 at the Baylor Clinic. It offers medications, immunizations, counseling and information for people traveling or moving overseas. Call 713-798-TRVL (8785) for an appointment.
Recycling contest winners
The BCM Recycles! Earth Day recycling contest was very successful. Nearly three tons of recyclable material and 1,100 pounds of e-waste were collected. Staff members brought in 2,891 pounds, faculty members 1,906 pounds, and students 663 pounds. The top five participants from the staff division were Nanette Bond, Sue Crawford, Jennifer Gonzalez, Claire Hollingsworth and Juanita Bondzinsk. They will receive prizes donated by VWR International, Waste Management and Bubbles Car Wash.
BCM's recycling program is possible through the work of dedicated volunteers who collect, sort and prepare the recycling for our vendor. If you'd like to become part of the BCM Recycles! volunteer team, contact Gabi De la Rosa at grrosa@bcm.edu.
Faculty in the News
BCM faculty members are regularly featured or cited in news and media outlets. Check out this week's faculty in the news.