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Story C. Landis, Ph.D., Named New Director of the National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Ed Note: The following is a Press Release from the National
Institute of Health, dated 8/6/03
Elias Zerhouni, M.D., director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH),
today announced the appointment of Story C. Landis, Ph.D., as director of
the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Dr.
Landis, who is currently the Scientific Director of the NINDS intramural
program, will begin her appointment on September 1, 2003.
"I am very pleased that Dr. Landis has accepted this increased
responsibility as Institute Director," said Tommy G. Thompson, Secretary of
the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). "Her visionary
scientific leadership, together with her ability to build bridges between
disparate scientific groups, make her the best person to lead the NINDS into
the future."
"Dr. Landis is widely recognized for her research on the development of the
nervous system and has already encouraged close ties among the NIH
neuroscience community," said Dr. Zerhouni in announcing the appointment.
"She is a distinguished scientist and a skilled manager who will be an ideal
leader for the NINDS' growing translational research program."
As the new Director of the NINDS, Dr. Landis will oversee an annual budget
of $1.5 billion and a staff of more than 900 scientists,
physician-scientists, and administrators. The Institute supports research by
investigators in public and private institutions across the country, as well
as by scientists working in its intramural laboratories and branches in
Bethesda, Maryland. Since 1950, the Institute has been at the forefront of
U.S. efforts in brain research, with studies in areas ranging from the
structure and function of single brain cells to research on the causes,
prevention, diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders and, most
recently, the translational research that is helping to bridge the gap. The
Institute's mission is to reduce the burden of neurological disease - a
burden borne by every age group, by every segment of society, by people all
over the world.
"I am delighted to have been chosen to lead an NIH Institute with an
outstanding staff, whose investigators have a wonderful history of
accomplishments in basic and clinical neurology," said Dr. Landis. "This is
a particularly exciting time in neuroscience with many opportunities for
rapid translation of scientific discovery into new diagnostics and
therapeutics. I look forward to developing strong collaborations between the
NINDS, the other NIH institutes that fund neuroscience research, and our
most important partners, patient and professional advocacy groups."
Dr. Landis joined the NINDS in 1995 as Scientific Director and worked with
then-Institute Director Zach W. Hall, Ph.D., to coordinate and re-engineer
the Institute's intramural research programs. Between 1999 and 2000, under
the leadership of NINDS Director Gerald D. Fischbach, M.D., she led the
movement, together with NIMH Scientific Director Robert Desimone, Ph.D., to
bring some sense of unity and common purpose to 200 laboratories from eleven
different NIH Institutes, all of which conduct leading edge clinical and
basic neuroscience research.
A native of New England, Dr. Landis received her undergraduate degree in
biology from Wellesley College in 1967 and her master's degree (1970) and
her Ph.D. (1973) from Harvard University where she conducted research on
cerebellar development in mice. After postdoctoral work at Harvard
University studying transmitter plasticity in sympathetic neurons, she
served on the faculty of the Harvard Medical School Department of
Neurobiology.
In 1985 she joined the faculty of Case Western Reserve University School of
Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, where she held many academic positions
including Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Professor and Director of the
Center on Neurosciences, and Chairman of the Department of Neurosciences, a
department she was instrumental in establishing. Under her leadership, Case
Western's neuroscience department achieved worldwide acclaim and a
reputation for excellence.
Throughout her research career, Dr. Landis has made many fundamental
contributions to the understanding of developmental interactions required
for synapse formation. She has garnered many honors and awards and is an
elected fellow of the Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Association
for the Advancement of Science, and the American Neurological Association.
In 2002, she was named the President-Elect of the Society for Neuroscience.
The NINDS is a component of the National Institutes of Health within the
Department of Health and Human Services and is the nation's primary
supporter of biomedical research on the brain and nervous system.
ASAP Holds Annual Conference
Ed. Note: The American Syringomyelia Alliance Project - ASAP -
recently held their annual conference in New York City. The following
is reprinted from the ASAP newsletter, Connections.
By Patricia Maxwell -
Since the conference means different things to different people, converting
the experience into words is a difficult task. However, with the help of
attendees, it is possible. Dr. Benzel of the Cleveland Clinics says, “The
caliber of speakers present would rival any medical conference.” While Lee
from Connecticut is still amazed (after eleven meetings) at the number of
attendees who are there to finally meet someone like themselves. Sarah
from California is astonished at what a small group like ASAP can
accomplish. Whether you come to learn about a condition, share your
experience with others, or meet people who actually understand how you feel,
the ASAP annual conference is the place to be in late July.
Since the mid 90’s, ASAP conferences have been held near teaching
facilities. This year’s meeting brought us to New York City, an amazing and
fascinating attraction and the Chiari Institute at North Shore University
Hospital. Staying in the heart of Times Square allowed conference goers the
opportunity to combine business with pleasure. Did you catch a glimpse
of ASAP members on national television? Attending the conference in New York
provided the chance for a dedicated group to rise early and ‘get the word
out’. They walked several blocks to the ABC and NBC studios where they
sought to spread awareness. Barbara from Vermont (who did not attend the
conference) wrote, “Did you see the Today show this morning [July 26]? The
weather person asked a cute little boy where he was from. I was so centered
on the sign he was holding that I don’t remember what he said. It was a
large sign with the word ‘syringomyelia’. I was probably one of the few who
even
understood what the sign said.”
Why do people attend an ASAP conference?
For Sarah, meeting the teens and kids was a wonderful experience. She said,
“What a special group of young people we have coming up in the
organization. They were all delightful and quite remarkable in their grasp
of their challenges.” For Selina from California, speaking with other
members and the doctors made it an invaluable experience. It was during the
conference that she learned many of her symptoms are Chiari-related. Mary
came to share her experience with passive yoga and the changes it has made
in her life. Her philosophy: “Ask not what your body can do for you; ask
what you can do for your body.” Joan and Tracy attend to support their
daughter/sister. Ellie and Yvette came in memory of their husbands and to
offer their support to others. If your family members do not understand how
this disorder affects your life, getting them to a conference could be the
answer. What
happens at a conference?
Thomas H. Milhorat, MD, this year’s conference co-host, opened the four-day
event by inviting members to tour the newly opened Chiari Institute.
After returning to the Crowne Plaza, ASAP ambassadors (John & Patty
Woodland, Bernie & Lee Miller, Justin & Lynn Marotta, Ellie McCallum,
Ingrid Petricone, Joan & Tracy Shogren and Patricia Maxwell) greeted
registrants. Mark Kane, ASAP President, welcomed everyone. A video filmed
earlier in the day about the Chiari Institute opening was shown.
A new project initiated this year, ‘Reach Out and Touch Someone’, was an
instant hit. Conference attendees took time from their busy schedules to
contact members who have attended past meetings but were absent this year.
Those who called and received calls considered it a success. We look forward
to expanding the project next year.
In addition to the presentations by specialists on topics ranging from
Chiari/Syringomyelia 101 to research, special workshops were provided this
year for the under-18 group, parents, those diagnosed, and family/friends.
Everyone learned more about slit-like syrinx cavities, pathogenesis,
diagnosis, management and treatment of Chiari and post-traumatic syrinxes as
well as pain management and alternative therapies. They learned the relaxing
benefits of passive yoga instruction and challenged the speaker panels with
a variety of questions. If you were unable to attend, you can still share in
the extensive variety of information. Not only will the videotapes be
available for sale this year, but we are introducing the Conference Notebook
with complete transcriptions and PowerPoint presentations.
The attendees say it best.
Marcia from upstate New York said, “The presentation of alternative medicine
was wonderful. I hope they will expand it next year. The firsthand
information from a variety of specialists is unbelievable. This is my
second conference and it was very well organized. I especially liked Dr.
Oro’s presentation. I’m a visual person and his effects were very
clear and to the point. The videotape will be an excellent source of
information for the newly diagnosed.”
Constance’s 10-year-old son, John, said, “It was really great to talk to
other kids who have Chiari!” For Constance, who lives in Florida,
attending her first conference was like coming home. “It was wonderful
meeting the faces behind the e-mails and getting to know others who shared
their experiences and knowledge. I learned a great deal from the lectures
and am encouraged by the progress and research. The only problem was that
there weren’t enough hours in the day!”
After attending her first ASAP conference, Lee from Virginia said, “What a
wonderful group of people to spend time with, kindness and generosity
overflowed. The compassion was overwhelming. I was not bored for an
instant! I was blessed in more ways than I can count. ASAP is a wonderful
organization that fills my heart with hope for the future!”
Special thanks to special volunteers!
Board members Mark & Barbara Kane, Don White, Candace Morse, Kevin Stringer,
Jeff Miller, Judy Hunt, Joe Fitzpatrick, Lory Watson and Don Williams
visited with members and answered multiple questions. (Moreover, we cannot
forget their dedicated spouses who were always pitching in to help.) Joan
and Tracy operated the registration table for four days while Ellie
McCallum, Ingrid Petricone and Judy Palm helped shoppers find the right size
ASAP t-shirt. John and Patty Woodland organized tables with all the
wonderful and creative gifts donated for the raffle and auction. Jeff
Miller, Lisa Stringer and Dorothy Poppe were a blur, moving from one event
to the next, making sure everything went as planned. Everyone agreed; the
Conference Committee did an excellent job from start to finish.
The cycle continues...
The ASAP conference offers so much for so many: knowledge, support,
understanding, networking, laughter and memories to lift spirits throughout
the year. It’s never too early to start planning for next year. In fact, the
Conference Committee is already working on next summer’s meeting in Miami,
Florida. Dr. Barth Green of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis is looking
forward to hosting the conference at the beautiful oceanfront Sonesta Beach
Resort Key Biscayne, July 21-July 24, 2004.
© ASAP Connections, September 2003, ®
American Syringomyelia Alliance Project, Inc.,
reprinted with permission
Back to Table of Contents |
About NINDS National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
www.ninds.nih.gov
Vision:
1. Lead the neuroscience community in shaping the future of research and its
relationship to brain diseases.
2. Build an intramural program that is the model for modern collaborative
neuroscience research.
3. Develop the next generation of basic and clinical neuroscientists through
inspiration and resource support.
4. Seize opportunities to focus our resources to rapidly translate
scientific discoveries into prevention, treatment, and cures.
5. Be the first place the public turns to for authoritative neuroscience
research information.
Mission: Reduce the burden of neurological disease - a burden
borne by every age group, by every segment of society, by people all over
the world.
To support this mission, NINDS:
-
Conducts, fosters,
coordinates, and guides research on the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and
treatment of neurological disorders and stroke, and supports basic research
in related scientific areas.
-
Provides
grants-in-aid to public and private institutions and individuals in fields
related to its areas of interest, including research project, program
project, and research center grants.
-
Operates a program
of contracts for the funding of research and research support efforts in
selected areas of institute need.
-
Provides individual
and institutional fellowships to increase scientific expertise in
neurological fields.
-
Conducts a
diversified program of intramural and collaborative research in its own
laboratories, branches, and clinics.
-
Collects and
disseminates research information related to neurological disorders.
Source:
NINDS web site
About ASAP
The American Syringomyelia Alliance Project is non-profit patient
organization whose mission is: To improve the lives of persons
affected by Syringomyelia, Chiari Malformation and related disorders while
we find a cure.
Contact Information:
American Syringomyelia Alliance Project Inc.
P.O. Box 1586
Longview, Texas 75606-1586
Direct: 1-903-236-7079
Toll Free: 1-800-ASAP-282
Fax: 1-903-757-7456
info@ASAP.org
www.asap.org
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