Engineering alumnus Burton Singer, Ph.D., elected to Institute of Medicine
November 10, 2005 | For more information: George Stamatis 216-368-3635
Burton H. Singer, Ph.D, a 1959 undergraduate alumnus of the Case School of Engineering (bachelor of science degree in engineering science), who is the Robertson Professor of Public and International Affairs in the Office of Population Research at Princeton University, Princeton, N.J., is one of 64 newly elected members of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS).
Also newly elected is Peter C. Agre, M.D., who completed a fellowship in hematology at Case while a medical student at Johns Hopkins, and in the mid-1970s completed a residency at Case Western Reserve University (University Hospitals of Cleveland / VA). Agre shared the 2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discoveries that have clarified how salts and water are transported out of and into the cells of the body, leading to a better understanding of many diseases of the kidneys, heart, muscles and nervous system. He is the vice chancellor of science and technology, and professor of cell biology, at Duke University, Durham, N.C.
With the new members announced Oct. 24, the IOM‚s active membership stands at 1,461.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Institute of Medicine, which the NAS established in 1970 to honor professional achievement in the health sciences and to serve as a national resource for independent analysis and recommendations on issues related to medicine, biomedical sciences and health.
„As the Institute of Medicine celebrates this milestone, it is a great pleasure to welcome these distinguished individuals as members,‰ said IOM President Harvey V. Fineberg, M.D. „Election recognizes those who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care, and public health. It is considered one of the highest honors in these fields.‰
Current active members elect new members from a slate of candidates nominated for their professional achievement. A diversity of talent among members is assured by the institute's charter, which requires that at least one-fourth be selected from fields outside the health professions ˆ such as the social and behavioral sciences, law, engineering and the humanities.
With their election, members make a commitment to involve themselves in the work of the institute, which conducts studies and other activities addressing a wide range of issues in medical science, health services, public health and health policy. Some current studies are a project to recommend appropriate nutritional standards for foods sold in schools, an evaluation of the nation's system for ensuring the safety of prescription drugs after they have reached the market, and an assessment of emergency health care in the United States and recommendations for improving it.
Case School of Medicine faculty members who are members of the IOM include:
- James M. Anderson, M.D., Ph.D., professor of pathology and 1976 School of Medicine alumnus (elected in 2003);
- Richard Hanson, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry (1987);
- Ralph I. Horwitz, M.D., vice president for medical affairs, dean of the School of Medicine, and professor of medicine (1997);
- Edgar Jackson, Jr., M.D., faculty member and 1966 School of Medicine alumnus (1991);
- Jack Medalie, M.D., the Dorothy Jones Weatherhead Professor Emeritus of Medicine in the Department of Family Medicine (1979);
- Duncan Neuhauser, Ph.D., the Charles Elton Blanchard Professor of Health Management (1983);
- Kurt C. Stange, M.D., Ph.D., the Gertrude Donnelly Hess Professor of Oncology Research (1999); and
- George R. Stark, Ph.D., professor of genetics (2002).
- Eric Topol, M.D., professor of medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University (2004).
About Case Western Reserve University
Case is among the nation's leading research institutions. Founded in 1826
and shaped by the unique merger of the Case Institute of Technology and Western
Reserve University, Case is distinguished by its strengths in education, research,
service, and experiential learning. Located in Cleveland, Case offers nationally
recognized programs in the Arts and Sciences, Dental Medicine, Engineering,
Law, Management, Medicine, Nursing, and Social Work. http://www.case.edu.
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