The Reporter: June 1995, Vol.6, No.3
Reporter at Large

Dr. Stephen P. Goff, the Higgins Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at P&S and an investigator in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Dr. I. Bernard Weinstein, director of the CPMC Cancer Center, the Frode Jensen Professor of Medicine at P&S, professor of genetics and development, and professor of public health, have been elected Fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Goff was one of the first investigators to clone a functional copy of a retroviral genome and to use recombinant DNA methods to study viral replication. Over the past decade he has contributed to the development of the Moloney murine leukemia virus as a genetic system. Dr. Weinstein, known for his findings in the molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis and their implications for cancer prevention and treatment, has received many honors, including the American Association of Cancer Research Clowes Award, the Silvio O. Conte Award of the Environmental Health Institute, and an honorary degree from the University of Wisconsin. He is an adviser to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and several cancer centers. Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences is a learned society with a dual function: to honor achievement in science, scholarship, the arts, and public affairs and to conduct studies that reflect the interests of its members and respond to the needs and problems of society and of the intellectual community. Its membership totals about 3,300 Fellows and 550 Foreign Honorary Members.

Dr. Gerald E. Thomson, the Samuel Lambert Professor of Medicine and an associate dean at P&S, was elected president of the American College of Physicians (ACP) at the organization's annual session in March. ACP is the largest medical-specialty society, composed of more than 83,000 physicians trained in internal medicine and related subspecialties. Dr. Thomson is the first African American elected to the presidency of the ACP in its 80-year history. As 1995-96 president, he will represent ACP in regional, national, and international matters and at chapter meetings and public functions. He also will preside at the group's 1996 annual session and will serve ex officio on ACP's five policy committees.

Dr. Elvin A. Kabat, the Higgins Professor Emeritus of Microbiology, received the 1995 Lifetime Service Award from the American Association of Immunologists at its annual meeting in April. The award recognizes Dr. Kabat's contribution and length of service to the field of immunology. Also, Dr. Kabat's membership to the World Health Organization's Expert Advisory Panel on Immunology was extended for four years.

Dr. Marian Carlson, P&S professor of genetics and development and of microbiology, was elected to fellowship in the American Academy of Microbiology. The academy recognizes distinction in all areas of the microbiological sciences, promotes professional recognition, and fosters the highest scientific standards among microbiologists. Fellowship is the highest honor the academy bestows.

Dr. Geoffrey R. Howe, an internationally renowned epidemiologist, was appointed professor and head of the School of Public Health's Division of Epidemiology April 1. The scope of Dr. Howe's work spans the priority topics of the day: from the risk of cancer mortality in populations living near nuclear facilities to studies of dietary fat, artificial sweeteners, coffee, alcohol, caloric intake, and breast cancer to the most definitive studies of fiber in colon cancer. His current research includes dietary studies among minorities. Dr. Howe joined the public health faculty from the University of Toronto.