Three NIH Oxford/Cambridge Scholars Awarded for Research

by biomed | Jul 14, 2014 | News

During the NIH Global Doctoral Partnerships 2014 Annual Research Colloquium, three members of the NIH Oxford/Cambridge Scholars Program were recognized for their outstanding research.  They are:

Prantik Kundu  – Innovation Award for Novel Solutions in Biology or Medicine for discoveries of unusual importance, application, or magnitude that make use of new or unusual methods, paradigms or approaches to solve important problems in biology or medicine

Mentors: Dr. Peter Bandettini(NIMH) and Dr. Ed Bullmore at Cambridge. Studying the dynamics of brain function measured by fMRI. In a recent PNAS paper, Prantik developed a novel method to improve the signal of fMRI brain images using a multiecho technique, leading to improvement in connectivity maps of the brain to better understand and map neural activity. A recent graduate, Prantik will be starting a faculty position at Mount Sinai this Fall.

Katherine Deigan Warner – Basic Science Award for Discoveries in Cellular and Molecular Biology for discoveries of fundamental cellular, molecular, or genetic  processes using model systems that advance scientific understanding of biological processes in higher organisms

Mentors: Dr. Adrian Ferre-D’Amare(NHLBI) and Dr. Chris Abell, Cambridge. Understanding the structural and functional relationship of RNA riboswitches. In a recent Chemical Biology paper, Katherine studied RNA structural changes upon site-specific binding of various small molecule fragments, aiding in understanding how potential drug candidates can inhibit RNA riboswitches function by structural changes induced upon drug binding.

Christopher Wassif – Translational  Award for Advances in Medical  Science awarded for advances in the field of medical science that move fundamental discoveries from the bench to the bedside

Mentors: Dr. Forbes Porter (NICHD) and Prof. Frances Platt, Oxford. How cholesterol affects childhood development. A recent Clinical Genetics paper, with Chris as the senior corresponding author, focused on using DNA exome sequencing to understand the population genetics and carrier frequency of a rare genetic disease, Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome. Demonstrating the importance of exome sequencing in translational research to determine more accurate risk assessment of genetic diseases.

2014 Annual Research Colloquium

by biomed | Jun 2, 2014 | News

The Annual Research Colloquium for the NIH Global Doctoral Partnerships (NIH Oxford/Cambridge Scholars Program, Wellcome Trust and NIH MD/PhD Partnership Training Program) was held in Bethesda, Maryland on the campus of the NIH on June 19, 2014.  Additionally, Cambridge University hosted the local Annual Research Colloquium in the United Kingdom June 22-23.  The Research Colloquium opened on the morning of June 19th on the campus of the NIH with Dr. Kathryn Zoon, Director DIR/NIAID, and her talk entitled “Human Interferons: Structure and Function.”  Throughout the day, NIH program mentors and students presented their research.  Dr. Michael Gottesman, NCI, made a presentation on the future of cancer research followed by Dr. Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz, NIH Distinguished Investigator, Section on Organelle Biology, and Colloquium Keynote Speaker who presented a talk entitled “Looking Under the Hood of Cells through Imaging.”  Additionally, Dr. Balaban, Scientific Director NHLBI spoke about the impact of students in the lab. The afternoon agenda included “Elevator Science – Selling Your Science in 5 Minutes or Less,” which consisted of seven presentations made by individual students.  Beverages and light fare were served during the Poster Session held in the FAES Atrium.  In the evening, students, mentors, NIH program administrators and members of the Alliance Board of Directors and guests attended a dinner reception, sponsored by Philips Healthcare, held at Chevy Chase Club in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Three outstanding students were honored for their research and members of the incoming Class of 2014 were welcomed and awarded program medallions.

Please email rb@biomedalliance.org for information regarding the 2015 Annual Research Colloquium will be held at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, June 22-24.