January 5, 2006
Health Science News Briefs
On bacterial communication
Dr. Bonnie Bassler, professor of molecular biology at Princeton University and an investigator for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, is widely known for her research on the molecular mechanisms bacteria use to communicate between cells.
She will talk about this process, called quorum sensing, at the UW next week when she presents the Neal Groman Memorial Seminar for the Department of Microbiology, honoring one of its longtime faculty members.
Bassler will speak on “Tiny Conspiracies: Cell-to-Cell Communication in Bacteria” at 4 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 10, in room T-733 of the Health Sciences Center. The presentation is open to everyone.
Bassler has been selected to receive the 2006 Eli Lilly and Co. Research Award from the American Society for Microbiology. She received a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship in 2002, among other honors. She joined the Princeton faculty in 1994 and directs graduate studies in molecular biology there.
Local hero
Dr. Michael Copass, professor of neurology and chief of emergency services at Harborview Medical Center, was honored Dec. 8 as a local hero by the American Red Cross at its annual Heroes Breakfast, attended by 1,000 guests.
Copass is also medical director of Seattle’s Medic One program and Airlift Northwest. He was recognized for his work at Harborview and commitment to the community.
Johnese Spisso, Harborview’s chief operating officer, said Copass’ passion for saving lives helped establish HMC as one of the nation’s leading trauma centers.
Honored for service
Dr. Robert Kalina, professor of ophthalmology, was honored at the annual meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The Council is composed of representatives of state and subspecialty societies. Kalina was representative for the Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons for the past six years and chaired the Pacific Region in 2005.
Duke Foundation Awards
Dr. Corey Casper, assistant professor in the Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and Dr. Matthew Mealiffe, acting instructor in the Division of Medical Genetics, have received Clinical Scientist Development Awards from the Doris Duke Foundation.
The awards support new physician-scientists to prepare them for the transition to careers as independent clinical investigators. They are among 11 to receive the award this year.
