01 Oct Petri Dishes: From the BRI Director: September Issue
A Note From the Director
The outstanding work of the Brigham research community is what drives us forward towards our goal of a healthier world through scientific discovery. Serving as Director of the BRI for the last two years has given me broader exposure to our passionate and talented research community; I have been both inspired by what I’ve seen and honored to serve in this capacity.
As I transition out of my role as BRI Director on October 1st, I would like to welcome and congratulate my successor, Marc Sabatine, MD, as well as Ursula Kaiser, MD, the incoming co-Director. I have truly enjoyed my term and believe that in this short time we have accomplished a great deal. All of the work here at BWH deserves to be recognized; I started publishing this newsletter just this summer to celebrate and elevate the work of our researchers and the BRI. I am so grateful to be a part this vibrant research community, and look forward to staying involved on the executive committee.
Thanks,
Elizabeth Petri Henske, MD
Congratulations to Marc Sabatine, MD, and Ursula Kaiser, MD
Ursula Kaiser, MD, Incoming BRI Co-Director, Chief, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Hypertension Professor, Harvard Medical School
Don’t Forget to ROC the Vote!
Time to let your voice be heard! The Brigham Research Institute (BRI) Research Oversight Committee (ROC) is asking for your vote in this year’s ROC representative elections. The ROC was established to foster transparency and accountability in the decision making process for the research enterprise and to plan new strategic initiatives. In support of the BRI’s overarching mission to raise the profile of research at BWH, elected representatives will help bring forward the needs and concerns of their colleagues, promote the interests of their respective communities, and participate in open discussions. Check out this year’s candidates and cast your vote for elected representatives by visiting our website.
In other ROC news…
The BRI Executive committee is also opening three guest slots at each monthly ROC meeting. If you wish to attend a ROC meeting, please sign up (note that you may only attend one ROC meeting per calendar year as a guest). Please visit the BRI website to learn more about the BRI and the composition of the ROC. Email bwhbri@partners.org with questions.
BWH Celebrates the 9th Annual National Postdoc Appreciation Week
September 17th to the 21st marked the Ninth Annual National Postdoctoral Appreciation Week. In order to acknowledge the postdoc’s tireless commitment to research and discovery at BWH, there were a variety of events and activities held throughout the week, such as an Ice Cream Social and Social Mixer.
“Thank you for all you do – we wouldn’t be the research powerhouse we are without your hard work and dedication,” – Paul Anderson, MD, PhD
Office for Research Careers Welcomes New Faculty Director
Laura Fredenburgh, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and an Associate Physician in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at BWH.
Getting to know our new faculty director…
Laura completed her Internal Medicine residency training at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and her fellowship in the Harvard Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Program. She is an attending physician in the BWH Medical Intensive Care Unit and is an NIH and AHA-funded physician-scientist investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive pulmonary hypertension. Laura’s laboratory uses molecular approaches and mechanobiological methods to understand how alterations in the mechanical environment regulate vascular cellular behaviors, cell signaling, and transcriptomic changes to promote pulmonary vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension. Laura’s work spans basic mechanistic research to translational studies to interventional clinical trials. Laura is passionate about mentoring and is deeply committed to promoting the career and professional development of research fellows and junior faculty. She is thrilled to be joining the Office for Research Careers as Faculty Director.
Sign up to Volunteer for Discover Brigham!
We are so excited for this year’s event as we continue to prepare for November 7th. Be prepared to witness ground-breaking science, expert speakers, sessions featuring the most compelling and current healthcare topics, and much more. Want to get involved? You can still sign up to be a volunteer at Discover Brigham! We greatly appreciate your help with this event and all volunteers will receive a complimentary T-Shirt and free food!
Coming Soon: Let Your Voice be Heard: BRIght Futures Voting is Almost Here!
Voting for BRIght Futures will be here before you know it! You won’t want to miss out on this chance to cast your vote on three compelling research projects that have the potential to solve vexing medical problems. Help us to decide which finalist will receive $100,000 towards their research!