May 2014

Weill Cornell CTSC Rap a Winner in the NIH Common Fund Contest!
The NIH Common Fund has announced that the Weill Cornell CTSC’s funny, engaging entry was one of the Top Five winners in the NIH Common Fund 10-year Commemoration Video Contest.

Entries were received from institutions around the country, and voting was based on which videos received the most ‘likes’ on YouTube. The winners will be shown at the June 19, 2014 10-Year Commemoration Symposium and will receive a certificate signed by NIH Director Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD.

The CTSC’s video was a team effort, featuring the rap skills of Clinical and Translational Education Program (CTEP) staff member Tim Baker and the production and performance skills of staff members from across the CTSC. The video may be viewed here.

Check out the NIH Common Fund’s announcement of the winners and the many other wonderful videos in the competition.

Jennifer Downs Awarded Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenges Exploration Initiative
Former CTSC Global Health Fellow, Dr. Jennifer Downs, WCMC Center for Global Health Assistant Professor of Medicine, has been funded through a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenges Explorations initiative granted to Weill Cornell Medical College. Her project, “From Obstacles to Opportunities for Male Circumcision in sub-Saharan Africa,” aims to utilize local churches in Tanzania as a way to advertise that male circumcision lowers risk of HIV exposure. Dr. Downs has also secured an NIH grant for another project of hers, “Schistosomiasis, Mucosal Immunity, and HIV Susceptibility." Please read more here.

Jason Baker Wins Diabetes Research Institute Foundation’s 2014 Humanitarian Award
Former CTEP Advanced Certificate student, Dr. Jason Baker, has been given the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation’s 2014 Humanitarian Award for his work with diabetes patients. Please read more here.

Brian Bosworth Recognized for his Contribution to the Field of Endoscopy
Anne and Ken Estabrook Clinical Scholar in Gastroenterology, Dr. Brian Bosworth, mentor to former CTSC Summer Fellow, Dustin Boothe, and associate professor of medicine was recognized for his work in endoscopy with a fellowship from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), another fellowship from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), and has been elected the 2014 president of the Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Please read more at these links.

Paraskevi Giannakakou is President-Elect in World Hellenic Biomedical Association
Dr. Paraskevi Giannakakou, CTEP mentor to MS Student, Elan Diamond, and to former TL1 Trainee, Marisa Carbonaro, has been selected as president-elect for four years in the World Hellenic Biomedical Association, dedicated to improving networking among Greek and Cypriot physician scientists around the world. Please read more here.