Academic Honors & Events

Heady Perspective — Dr. Mark Mehler was selected to deliver the Presidential Plenary Lecture at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology on Tuesday, April 24, 2012. Dr. Mehler presented “Epigenetics: A New Science of Brain and Behavior,”detailing the revolution in the science of genes and inheritance that is changing how we view biology and medicine, particularly with respect to our understanding of how the human brain works and how it has evolved into a sophisticated organ involved in complex thoughts and behaviors. Dr. Mehler is professor and chair of The Saul R. Korey Department of Neuroscience and director of the Institute for Brain Disorders and Neural Regeneration.

Good Business — On Monday, May 7, 2012, at 10 a.m., the Einstein-Montefiore Institute for Clinical & Translational Research & the offices of biotechnology and business development at Einstein will present “Medical Innovation & Business: The Technology Commercialization Initiative at Montefiore.” All members of the Einstein and Montefiore communities are invited to hear Richard Kosman, director of the office of business development, discuss this initiative. The presentation will take place in Montefiore’s Cherkasky Auditorium, located at 111 E. 210th Street, Bronx, NY (Gun Hill Rd. entrance).

Global Outreach — Dr. Lanny Smith, founder of Doctors for Global Health and member of the People’s Health Movement, recently presented “Art, Health and Social Justice through Liberation Medicine, Doctors for Global Health and the People’s Health Movement: Introductions and Discussion of Action Potential”  to the Student Association of Medical Artists at the University of Illinois, Chicago. In addition to his global work, Dr. Smith is associate professor of family and social medicine at Einstein.

Book Talk — Dr. T. Byram Karasu is author of  Maxims Minimus: Reflections in Microstyle (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.). Dr. Karasu is the university chair of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Einstein and psychiatrist-in-chief at Einstein’s University Hospital, Montefiore Medical Center. He also is the Dorothy and Marty Silverman Chair in Psychiatry.

Stellar Recognition — Dr. Michael Lipton was recently named Fellow of the American College of Radiology (ACR), a title bestowed on only 12 percent of active ACR members. The honor recognizes those who have made exceptional contributions to teaching or research in radiology.  Dr. Lipton is associate professor of radiology, of psychiatry & behavioral sciences, and of neuroscience, as well as associate director of the Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center. 

Un Honor Mayor — Dr. Leandro Carreño, a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Dr. Steven Porcelli, was among the 10 researchers who were recently named Pew Latin American Fellows in the Biomedical Sciences by the Pew Charitable Trusts. His selection recognizes his dedication to finding solutions for some of the world’s most troubling health problems, and his fellowship will provide support that will further his research, enable him to work with colleagues in the United States, and increase scientific knowledge throughout his home region in Chile.

Exemplary Honor — In awarding honorary doctorates to an international group of accomplished and distinguished individuals during its 42nd Board of Governors Meeting, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, recognized Dr. Jesse Roth, class of 1959 and professor of medicine.

Recognizing Excellence — Dr. Vlad Kvetan, chief of the critical care medicine division, was awarded the President’s Award by Montefiore along with two staff recipients. The award recognizes the superb critical care service line that Dr. Kvetan has established for the medical center, as well as the increasingly strong critical care division he leads for the department of medicine and for Einstein.

Advancing Leadership — Dr. Ellie Schoenbaum has been appointed the new director of medical student research at Einstein. As she undertakes this new role, she will be introducing a new program for medical students in the Class of 2016, called SOAR (Scholarly Opportunity for Academic Research), a mentor-guided scholarly concentration program. Dr. Schoenbaum developed the project over the past year, during her fellowship with the Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine Program for Women, at Drexel University School of Medicine. She also is professor of epidemiology & population health, as well as director of the Clinical Research Training Program and the Ph.D. program in clinical investigation.

A Matter of Academics — Dr. Neil Cobelli has been appointed chair of orthopedic surgery at Einstein. He has served as chair of the department at Montefiore, the University Hospital for Einstein, for the past decade and now extends his purview to the medical school. The appointment reflects Dr. Cobelli’s efforts to strengthen the academic side of the department, developing a laboratory research base at Einstein by collaborating with and supporting Einstein scientists whose programs relate to connective tissue biology. He has also developed one of the most competitive residency programs in the country, attracting top medical school graduates for orthopedic training.