Memorial Symposium Recognizes Outstanding Postdoctoral Research at Einstein
The Dennis Shields Awards for Outstanding Postdoctoral Research are presented each year at the annual event honoring the memory of the first director of the Belfer Institute for Advanced Biomedical Studies, who passed away in 2008. Since 2009, the awards have been given to recognize the exemplary published research of select Einstein postdocs.
Award winners Drs. Advaitha Madireddy and Dario Riascos-Bernal (center) with (from left) Dr. Nicholas Sibinga, Dr. Anne Bresnick, Toni Shields, and Dr. Carl Schildkraut
Addressing a packed LeFrak Auditorium, Dr. Anne Bresnick, current director of the Belfer Institute, remembered Dr. Shields’ dedication to postdoctoral researchers. She said, “Through the Belfer Institute, Dennis created a new vision that focused on postdocs in Einstein as a vital part of the research mission.”
This year’s award ceremony, held on June 7, celebrated the research of Drs. Advaitha Madireddy and Dario Riascos-Bernal, who each presented their published work. Dr. Madireddy, who conducts her research in the laboratory of Dr. Carl Schildkraut, described her findings on Fanconi Anemia, a rare disease that also causes a predisposition to cancer. Dr. Riascos-Bernal discussed his research in the laboratory of Dr. Nicholas Sibinga, investigating the mechanisms of remodeling in the blood vessel wall and its significance in heart attack and stroke.
Among those in attendance was Dr. Shields’ wife Toni. She noted, “Dennis really believed in teaching the joy of medical research, and he wanted very much to inspire younger generations with his passion for science. These awards are a tribute to these young scientists and their passion for science, too.”
The event’s corresponding poster exhibit was presented in a new format, with postdoc research posters featured along Forchheimer’s “Main Street” rather than the traditional poster sessions previously held in the Glass Café. “We felt that displaying the research along Main Street would expose a broader audience at Einstein to our postdoc research,” explained Dr. Bresnick.
Both award recipients were thrilled with their honor. “I’m transitioning into my own independent faculty position, so every accomplishment is crucial at this stage,” said Dr. Madireddy. “I was overjoyed and honored to learn I had been selected.”
Dr. Riascos-Bernal agreed. “It’s a very difficult competition because there are so many good researchers at this level. So I’m truly honored to receive this award.”
Five other postdocs were recognized with poster awards, which will support travel to a professional meeting or conference. They were Dr. Barnali Biswas, in the lab of Dr. Pamela Stanley; Dr. Christopher Doyle, in the lab of Dr. Liise-Anne Pirofski; Dr. Larissa Costa Faustino, in the lab of Dr. Yaron Tomer; Dr. Muhammed Simsek, in the lab of Dr. Ertugrul Ozbudak; and Dr. Elena Tosti, in the lab of Dr. Winfried Edelmann.
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Posted on: Friday, August 25, 2017