By UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH
Dr. Oscar “Skip” Brown, professor of pediatrics and vice chair for clinical affairs, recently received the 2015 Texas Pediatric Society Sidney R. Kaliski Award of Merit. The award recognizes a member of the Texas Pediatric Society who has served as an advocate for children and made a substantial contribution to both the health and welfare of the children of Texas and to the Texas Pediatric Society.
UTMB researchers edit and contribute to new book
A new book published by Caister Academic Press, “Arboviruses: Molecular Biology, Evolution and Control” is set for publication in April 2016. The book brings together a panel of expert arbovirologists to produce a timely review of the rapidly expanding arbovirus research literature. The book is coedited by Nikos Vasilakis and has major contributions from UTMB authors Scott Weaver, Brian Friedrich, Birte Kalveram, Shannan Rossi, and Dr. Robert Tesh.
Nursing students receive scholarships
Two UTMB School of Nursing students recently received scholarships from the Texas Nurses Association, District 9. Sarah Nagy received $2,500 and Olivia Osband received a $1,500 scholarship. Scholarship students were selected by a TNA committee after submitting two references and a two to three-page essay outlining their educational goals and how funds would be used.
UTMB researchers recognized by professional society
The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene recognized the following from UTMB at their annual meeting. Postdoctoral fellow Albert Auguste was awarded the American Committee for Arthropod-borne Viruses Travel Award. Jesse Erasmus, a doctoral student, received the ASTMH Young Investigator Award – First Tier Mention for his abstract entitled “Development of a chikungunya vaccine utilizing the Eilat virus platform.” Doctoral student Samantha Nava received the ASTMH Young Investigators Award – Honorable Mention for her abstract entitled, “RNA Interference: A novel method to Gene silencing in Cryptosporidium parvum.” Former UTMB student Farooq Nasar was awarded the prestigious Scherer/Hardy Award which is administered by the American Committee on Arthropod-Borne Viruses and is presented to an outstanding graduate student in arbovirology.
Of historical note
Some milestones as UTMB marks its 125th anniversary: Texas voters in 1881 chose Galveston as the site for the University of Texas Medical Department. In 1890, John Sealy Hospital Training School for Nurses held its first classes.