P&S Welcomes New Recruits Every year, P&S recruits hundreds of physicians and researchers who are tops in their fields. Profiled here are some of the recent recruits. A list of all new recruits can be found at the newly constructed dean’s web page (see Dean’s Office Launches New Website). Dr. Domenico Accili P&S appointment: professor of medicine and director of research for the diabetes section of the Division of Endocrinology. Previous appointment: chief of the section on genetics and hormone action, developmental endocrinology branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Md. Accomplishments: American Diabetes Association Research Grant and Mentor-Based Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award for his studies of insulin-mediated signal transduction. What others say: “Dr. Accili is an outstanding physician scientist who has been particularly interested in the molecular mechanisms by which the hormone insulin produces its biochemical effects in cells. This research is of particular importance in determining the causes of insulin resistance that accompanies type II (adult onset) diabetes in humans.... An outstanding scientist who also is a fine teacher and trainer of junior scientists.” -Dr. Rudolph Leibel, co-director, Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center. Dr. Richard Baer P&S appointment: professor of pathology for the proposed Institute of Cancer Genetics. Previous appointment: professor of microbiology for the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Accomplishments: awarded the H. Lloyd and Willye V. Skaggs Professorship in Medical Research, the Roy and Christine Sturgis Chair in Biomedical Research, and the Sherry Wigley Crow Cancer Research Chair at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Currently involved with three National Institutes of Health RO1 Grants, totaling more than $3 million. What others say: “Dr. Baer is a leading figure in the field of oncology with a substantial record of accomplishments in both research and teaching. He will complement other research groups working on human cancer in the new Institute of Cancer Genetics. He will do research on the pathogenisis of human cancer, particularly breast cancer.” -Dr. Riccardo Dalla-Favera, director, proposed Institute of Cancer Genetics. Dr. Scott Hammer P&S appointment: professor of medicine and head of the Division of Infectious Disease. Previous appointment: associate professor of medicine, Harvard, and director of the Research Virology Laboratory, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston. Accomplishments: chairman, FDA Antiviral Products Advisory Committee, in which members are intensively peer reviewed and scrutinized with regard to contribution and leadership in the field and ability to make decisions on therapeutic initiatives. More than 10 years of investigation focused on HIV. Served as investigator for Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Groups, where he chaired two of their largest recent phase III trials. The studies involved thousands of HIV-infected adults and both had major impacts on related clinical practices. What others say: “Dr. Hammer was persuaded to assume responsibilities as director of the infectious disease division with goals to bring first-class HIV clinical research and broadening and deepening a division, which has been long recognized for teaching excellence.” -Dr. Myron Weisfeldt, Samuel Bard Professor and Chairman of Medicine. Dr. Jingyue Ju P&S appointment: associate professor of chemical engineering in the School of Engineering and Applied Science and head of DNA sequencing and chemical biology for the Columbia Genome Center. Previous appointment: director of chemistry and assay development, Incyte Pharmaceu ticals Inc. Accomplishments: U.S. Department of Energy Human Genome Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow, the University of California at Berkeley. The primary inventor of the energy transfer flourescent labeling technology for DNA sequencing and analysis, which is now widely used in the DNA sequencing community. What others say: “Of all of the available candidates for this important position, he was best qualified by virtue of his education (Ph.D. degree in chemistry), his notable accomplishments in his postdoctoral fellowship, including the synthesis of new highly efficient dyes for use in DNA sequencing, and his exceptional organizational and creative qualities in heading the development program for DNA chemistry at Incyte Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Ju is intellectually gifted, committed to our central goal of applying genomics to analyzing the genetic basis of disease states and is a warm and considerate person. He has all the attributes for the highest level of medical academic achievements.” -Dr. Isidore S. Edelman, Johnson Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and director of the Columbia Genome Center. Dr. Hiroshi Mitsumoto P&S appointment: professor of neurology and head of the Department of Neurology’s Division of ALS and Muscle Diseases. Also director of the Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center. Previous appointment: professor of neurology and section head of neuromuscular diseases for the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Accomplishments: principal investigator for more than 20 grants, totaling more than $2 million. Member of the Japanese Society of Neurology, based in Tokyo. Member of the Royal Society of Medicine, based in London. Certified member of the American Society of Neurorehabilitation since 1993. What others say: “Dr. Mitsumoto brings the necessary leadership and vision to ensure that our outstanding neuromuscular center will not only continue into the new century and preserve the legacy of his predecessor, Dr. Lewis Rowland, P&S professor of neurology, but expand in important new directions. Dr. Mitsumoto is an international authority on ALS and ALS-related clinical trials and his appointment is a major coup for the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center.” -Dr. Timothy A. Pedley, chairman, Department of Neurology. Dr. Martha J. Morrell P&S appointment: professor of clinical neurology and director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. Previous appointment: associate professor of neurology and director of the Epilepsy Center for Stanford University. Accomplishments: involved in Epilepsy Foundation since 1990, serving on its Professional Advisory Board, Board of Directors, and as its chair in 1999. Current chair of the American Epilepsy Society Task Force on Issues of Concern for Women with Epilepsy. The International League Against Epilepsy and the International Bureau for Epilepsy elected her a 1999 Ambassador for Epilepsy. What others say: “Dr. Morrell is internationally known for her pioneering research on reproductive health issues and sexuality in patients with epilespy. She has participated in clinical trials of almost all of the new generation of antiepileptic drugs. Dr. Morrell is an outstanding clinician and teacher. She is equally at home at the bedside with residents and students, or giving formal lectures before hundreds of physicians and scientists.” -Dr. Timothy A. Pedley, chairman, Department of Neurology. |R