June 28, 2019 Vol . LXXI, No . 13

of the Center for Genomic Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, director of the Cardiovascular Disease Initiative at the Broad Institute and professor of ‘SMOOTHIE, NOT FRUIT SALAD’ medicine at Harvard Medical School—at Role of Genes, Lifestyle least until he gives all these up to become CEO of a company called Verve in mid-July— Explored in Heart Attack described new avenues of preventing BY RICH MCMANUS coronary artery disease, the leading global What if you knew you could spare yourself cause of mortality. and your loved ones the devastation of heart It has long been known that heart attacks attack—especially while you are still young— run in families and that the younger the by paying attention to data you could have victim is, the more likely he or she drew discovered at birth? an unfortunate inheritance. There are Owing largely to the massive amounts three main paths to one’s genetic risk of of data from large-scale genome-wide myocardial infarction (MI), said Kathiresan: association studies funded by NIH and new the monogenic model (4 genes stand out, population-based biorepositories such as especially FH, among a survey of many Dr . Sekar Kathiresan the UK Biobank, scientists can now tease thousands, as conferring a 2- to 5-fold risk of out the respective contributions of genetic MI); the polygenic model (common variant predisposition and environmental exposure In a Wednesday Afternoon Lecture on association studies have linked some 95 to the development of diseases, including May 22 titled “Genes, lifestyle and risk for genetic loci to coronary risk. Summed up, heart attack. heart attack,” Dr. Sekar Kathiresan, director SEE KATHIRESAN, PAGE 6

COMPETING NEURONS PILLARS OF INSIGHT Neuroscientist Studies the Eurich Explores Why Self- Making of Memories Awareness Matters BY DANA TALESNIK BY DANA TALESNIK

We’ve all had Do you consider yourself an above-average that light-bulb leader? Do you think your staff and other moment, suddenly colleagues would recalling a agree? memory, not When Dr. even sure how we Tasha Eurich, an Horsing around at Police Awareness Day; p . 12 . plucked it out of organizational its latent state. psychologist, ALSO THIS ISSUE Behind the scenes, executive coach, Briefs...... 2 there were all researcher and kinds of neurons, best-selling author, Pobiner Takes Evolution Studies from Field to molecules and asked the NIH Classroom...... 3 synapses at work. audience assem- NIDCR Celebrates Its History, Looks Ahead. . . . 5 Dr . Sheena Josselyn Dr. Sheena bled in Masur Digest...... 9 Josselyn, senior Auditorium to scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children in rate themselves Dr . Tasha Eurich Milestone...... 10 Toronto, has long studied what triggers the as leaders, friends Volunteers...... 11 brain to make, retrieve and link memories. and drivers, many proud hands were raised Seen...... 12 SEE JOSSELYN, PAGE 8 SEE EURICH, PAGE 4 BRIEFS

DiClemente To Give NIAAA Mendelson Lecture, July 11 in Masur Dr . Carlo DiClemente will deliver the 2019 NIAAA Jack Mendelson Honorary Lecture on Thursday, July 11 at 1:30 p .m . in Masur Auditorium, Bldg . 10 . His talk is titled “Is Relapse and Recycling Necessary for Recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder?” DiClemente is an internationally distinguished scientist who has made groundbreak- ing contributions to our understanding of the process of human intentional behavior change . His research revolutionized CRC Atrium Rings with Music the behavioral The atrium of the Clinical Research Center resounded with music this spring, delighting staff, patients treatment and pre- and visitors . On May 21, the National Symphony Orchestra Ensemble (below, l), featuring (from l) vention of addiction Julianna Nickel, flute; Sophia Kim Cook, piano; Robert Rearden, horn; and James Nickel, horn, gave Dr . Carlo DiClemente and other health-re- a concert . On May 30, Chris Urquiaga (below, r), a local singer-songwriter and pianist who performs lated disorders . in English, Spanish and Portuguese, played an array of pop, R&B and Latin music . And on June 6, the University of Maryland Jazz Combo (above) presented a selection of jazz standards, old and new, He is co-developer of the transtheoretical model bringing a sense of the classic and the contemporary to a live jazz setting . They are (from l) Jon of behavior change (TTM), work which began in Ozment, piano; Gerry Kunkel, guitar; Timothy Powell, saxophone; Joey Antico, drums; John Previti, the field of smoking and addictive behaviors . The acoustic bass . For a list of upcoming concerts, visit https://clinicalcenter .nih gov. /ocmr/music .html . TTM is now used by researchers across multiple PHOTOS: DEBBIE ACCAME disciplines around the world, including alcohol treatment research, cancer prevention, HIV risk reduction and addictive behaviors . DiClemente currently serves as professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and director of the MDQuit Resource Center, the Center for Community Collaboration and the Home Visiting Training Center at UMBC .

Graduate, Professional School Fair, July 17 The 12th annual NIH Graduate & Professional School Fair will be held on Wednesday, July 17 from 8:45 a .m . to 2:45 p .m . at Natcher Conference Webinar on Design of Mobile Health Interventions, July 9 Center . The fair provides an opportunity for NIH Join the Office of Disease Prevention for a Methods: Mind the Gap summer interns (especially those in college) and webinar with Dr . Predrag Klasnja on “Using Micro-Randomized Trials to postbacs, as well as other college students in the Optimize the Design of Mobile Health Interventions ”. The event will take D .C . area, to prepare for the next step in their place on Tuesday, July 9 at 2 p .m . careers by exploring educational programs leading to the Ph .D ., M .D ., D .D .S ., M .D ./Ph .D . and other Klasnja will describe how micro-randomized trials can be used to make graduate and professional degrees . More than 200 data-driven decisions about how individual components of mobile colleges and universities from across the U .S . send health interventions should work to optimize their effectiveness . representatives of their graduate schools, medical He is an assistant professor in the School of Information at the and dental schools, schools of public health and University of Michigan and a scientific investigator at the Kaiser other biomedically relevant programs in the hope Permanente Washington Health Research Institute . He works at the of recruiting NIH trainees . intersection of human-computer interaction and behavioral science and The day will also include workshops on getting to studies how mobile technologies can help individuals make and sustain graduate and professional school; M .D ./Ph .D . pro- lifestyle changes needed to improve their health . grams; interviewing; and careers in public health, Register at https://prevention .nih go. v/education-training/ computational biology/bioinformatics, psychology methods-mind-gap/using-micro-randomized-trials-optimize-de- and dentistry . Exhibits will be open from 9:45 Dr . Predrag Klasnja sign-mobile-health-interventions . The webinar will be recorded and a .m . to 1:45 p .m . A list of institutions planning to available on the ODP website within about a week . attend and registration information can be found at https://www .training .nih go. v/gp_fair .

2 • NIH RECORD • JUNE 28, 2019 respectful dialogue students, some of whom had previously rejected Pobiner Takes Evolution to dispel common the concept, has been a remarkable achievement misconceptions of the education and outreach effort of the Human Studies from Field to about human Origins Program . But there are large parts of origins . The Hall society, predominantly among adults, where reli- Classroom of Human Origins gious concepts overrule the acceptance of scientific BY MOHOR SENGUPTA exhibit at the findings . Pobiner admits it is not always possible to How did human beings evolve? Where did we come Smithsonian helps reach everyone . visitors think in a from? What did our prehistoric ancestors eat? And In the Q&A session following her talk, it was asked, why is all that information relevant today? These scientific way about evolution . “How is the U .S . unique in science education?” are some of the questions that Dr . Briana Pobiner, Pobiner said the U .S . ranked second from last keynote speaker at an NIDDK scientific conference, In the latter part of among 34 countries in acceptance of evolution, addressed recently . her talk, Pobiner according to a 2005 survey . The U .S . is also the Pobiner is a paleoanthropologist, research focused on the only country where an anti-science approach is scientist and museum educator with the Human Human Origins politicized . Origins Program at the Smithsonian National traveling exhibition Museum of Natural History . She received a Ph .D . that appeared in Dr . Briana Pobiner 19 public libraries in anthropology from Rutgers University in 2007 . PHOTOS: CHIA-CHI CHARLIE across the U .S . Her area of research interest, which is evolution CHANG of meat-eating habits in humans, took her to from April 2015 to Africa for field work on butchery with early stone April 2017 . The sites tools . After having spent several months in the were chosen deliberately, targeting some regions grasslands of Kenya, Pobiner has hypothesized of the country where acceptance of evolution is that early humans often scavenged leftovers from a challenge . The exhibit welcomed people from kills by big carnivorous animals . In her talk, she diverse communities into science conversation and shared her findings on the early food habits of included workshops for teachers . Public response humans before the advent of hunting . There is evidence of meat in the diet of humans • • • from as far back as 3 .4 million years ago . However, hunting for food did not evolve until the invention That we evolved from earlier of specific hunting tools, some half a million years human species, such as ago . In the 3-million-year period in between these two events, prehistoric humans were predom- Homo erectus, is still an inantly scavengers, says Pobiner, who studied modern-day prey carcasses at the Ol Pejeta uncomfortable scientific Conservancy in Kenya . Our ancestor Homo erectus proposition for many. ON THE COVER: 3-D structure of melanoma would get many of the calories it needed from the cell derived by ion abrasion scanning electron microscopy. leftover flesh of a big prey animal, she said . • • • IMAGE: SRIRAM SUBRAMANIAM, NCI That we evolved from earlier human species, such to the initiative was encouraging, with 73 percent as Homo erectus, is still an uncomfortable scien- The NIH Record tific proposition for many . At the Smithsonian, of the skeptical participants later reporting that Pobiner also leads the Human Origins Program’s they ended up enjoying the exhibit and about half Since 1949, the NIH Record has been published education and outreach efforts . Her primary of them saying they learned something new . biweekly by the Editorial Operations Branch, objective is to familiarize and interest the public Office of Communications and Public Liaison, Another focus of the education and outreach National Institutes of Health, Department of Health in the concept of evolution . efforts is to present the concept of human and Human Services . For editorial policies, email These efforts have been successful in fostering evolution in high school classrooms . This was a editor or phone (301) 496-2125 . challenge because fewer than Editor: Rich McManus 40 percent of high school [email protected] students accept the theory Associate Editor: Carla Garnett of evolution, Pobiner said . [email protected] Goals of the initiative were to create evolution-centered Staff Writers: Eric Bock • [email protected] curriculum units and teaching Dana Talesnik • [email protected] resources for high school teachers . Classroom activities Subscribe via email: Follow: [email protected] http://nihrecord.nih.gov/

included discussion about Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps evolution and promoted The NIH Record innovative methods, such is recyclable as as historical role play, which mixed paper . eventually became highly popular among students . Understanding and accep- tance of the science of evolution by these high school

NIH RECORD • JUNE 28, 2019 • 3 Eurich logical to assume that making CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 the best decisions in the moment requires us to be for “above average” in each category. It was self-reflective. The unicorns a revealing exercise about the power of and hundreds of other self-awareness. surveys revealed the opposite. “Most people believe they’re above “People who introspected average on every socially desirable char- were less happy, more acteristic,” said Eurich at a recent Deputy stressed, more depressed, Director for Management seminar. Laughter more anxious, less in control then erupted when she said, “The least of their lives and less happy competent people are the most confident in their jobs,” said Eurich. about their abilities and performance.” It’s not that introspection is Almost everyone thinks they’re self- a bad thing, she realized, but aware but only about 10-15 percent of people that most of us approach it have achieved the status. Having self-aware- the wrong way. Most of us ness, said Eurich, means fully knowing ask why when we should be who you are—your values, passions, goals, Eurich has developed strategies to helps us along our self- asking what. awareness journeys . personality, strengths and weaknesses—and “The more we ask why, the understanding how others perceive you. more we ruminate,” she said. “People who are self-aware at work are Simplicity. Challenge. Knowledge…These are Instead of asking why am I stressed, ask what better performers and more promotable,” but a few examples. After identifying which alterable patterns can I find in my stress. said Eurich. “They tend to be more respected are most important, check in with yourself Instead of asking why am I unhappy, perhaps and trusted co-workers and more effective periodically, she said. Did your behavior this ask what upsetting situations can I avoid. leaders.” Beyond the workplace, she added, week mirror your core values? “Why questions draw us to our limita- they’re generally happier in their personal “When we’re stressed, sometimes it’s tions; what questions help us see potential,” relationships and tend to raise less narcissis- really easy not just to not reflect on our said Eurich. “Why questions can depress us tic children. values and behavior, but to do the exact and make us emotional. What questions help All around the world, in every age group, opposite,” Eurich said. “Values are often us to be more logical and action-oriented... “We’re all becoming more self-absorbed and aspirational. Just because it’s a value doesn’t and help us move forward.” less self-aware,” she said. “We need to gently mean we do it perfectly on a regular basis.” Leaders also must consider the impact stop assuming we’re already self-aware. Eurich gained some new insights they want to have on others and how they Every one of us probably has more work to from conducting something akin to a want to be perceived by others. Asking for do than we think.” self-awareness clinical trial, tracking 50 feedback can be daunting, but it’s important After working with senior-level leaders people she dubbed “self-aware unicorns,” for leaders to request and heed it. for more than a decade and surveying a group of admittedly unaware people who Most unicorns listed 5 or fewer people thousands of people, Eurich has developed transformed themselves over time through they regularly came to rely on for feedback. strategies to help us along our self-awareness coaching. They taught Eurich a few things, They were picky about who to ask, said journeys. She outlined several pillars of even upending common wisdom. Eurich, acknowledging that sometimes insight, unique to each of us. The deeper we Such was the case for understanding feedback is not well-intentioned or helpful. delve into them, the more we can cultivate reactions. Eurich thought she did. It seemed Solicit feedback, she said, from loving our own self-awareness. critics—those you believe have your best What are the values by which we live interest at heart, but also those you believe and work? What are our passions and will be truthful. aspirations? What environments give us There’s always room to grow and, in energy? What are our patterns of behavior? the process, said Eurich, “you’re growing How do we react to different situations your self-compassion by seeing yourself and what thoughts and emotions underlie more clearly.” Go easy on yourself. Aim for that behavior? What impact do we have on incremental improvements. “Try to be as others? focused as possible and that’s how you start Eurich then focused on the three pillars to make dramatic improvements over time,” she considers especially important for she concluded. leaders: our values, reactions and impact. “People who introspected were less happy, Identify your core values and find one more stressed, more depressed, more anxious, less in control of their lives and less happy in that’s the basis of your world, she said. their jobs,” said Eurich . Family. Health. Love. Service. Adventure.

4 • NIH RECORD • JUNE 28, 2019 NIDCR Celebrates Its History, tissue repair in rodents . Soo’s group has spent the two decades since that Looks Ahead discovery developing a fibromod- BY ANNA MARIA GILLIS ulin-based peptide therapy that is currently being tested in clinical trials NIDCR celebrated its origins and set its course for its safety and efficacy for human toward 2030 during a recent craniofacial research wounds . If successful, the compound symposium to mark its 70th year . “We were one may be used to reduce scarring of the first institutes,” said Dr . Martha Somerman, during surgery . NIDCR director . She described the “incredible epidemic of infectious disease of the oral cavity”— The study of rare diseases also could commonly known as tooth decay—that had help scientists find better ways disqualified men and women from military service to treat common conditions . For in World War II as the impetus to form a dental example, NIDCR clinical investigator research institute . Dr . Niki Moutsopoulos and her colleagues have been evaluating “Looking Back and Facing the Future: From NIDR NIDCR director Dr . Martha Somerman and NIH principal deputy patients with a rare genetic disorder to NIDCR,” held in Lipsett Amphitheater on May director Dr . Lawrence Tabak, who once led NIDCR called leukocyte adhesion deficiency 6, highlighted how science and clinical care have type 1 (LAD1) . People with the con- changed since 1948, when NIDCR’s predecessor, congenital and acquired craniofacial anomalies . dition are prone to frequent infections and develop the National Institute of Dental Research, was The impact of these disorders is great, said Slavkin, periodontal disease at a young age . created by Congress . The symposium’s speakers, a dean emeritus of the Herman Ostrow School of mix of NIDCR intramural and extramural scientists, Dentistry, University of Southern California . He said Her team found that the periodontal lesions of covered craniofacial anomalies, tissue regeneration, in the United States, a million people have serious people with LAD1 have an overabundance of skeletal development, wound healing, periodontal craniofacial defects . He estimated that the total immune cells called T helper 17 (Th17) cells . The disease, salivary biology and other topics . direct and indirect global health care costs for researchers have tested a drug called ustekinumab that targets Th17 cells . To more accurately reflect the institute’s scope these conditions are around $500 billion per year . of research, “Craniofacial” was added to NIDR’s “Our face is our identity,” said Dr . Yang Chai, a One 19-year-old patient with LAD1 had such severe name in 1998 during the tenure of Dr . Harold professor, surgeon and director of USC’s Center periodontal disease that he had begun losing the Slavkin, NIDCR’s director from 1995 to 2000 . for Craniofacial Molecular Biology . When there are bone supporting his teeth; Moutsopoulos wanted to He recounted some of the earliest work in the defects, it affects quality of life . find a way to save them . After receiving the drug, field by a Pennsylvania orthodontist named Dr . the young man’s oral condition improved, as did an Herbert Cooper . To improve outcomes for people with cleft palate, open lesion on his back . These findings are leading a common birth defect, Chai’s lab explores several to insights into the mechanisms and potential treat- In Lancaster County, where he practiced, Cooper research threads . Data from FaceBase, an NIDCR- ments for the more common form of periodontal noticed many individuals with craniofacial deformi- funded resource for craniofacial researchers, disease that affects up to half of U .S . adults . ties . “He felt overwhelmed,” said Slavkin, so Cooper helped Chai and his colleagues create a mouse enlisted the help of the community’s social services model that has let them understand soft palate Going forward, what do NIDCR’s former and providers, pharmacists, pediatricians and speech development . Critical for swallowing, breathing current directors hope for? For Dr . Lawrence Tabak, and language professionals . With these people, he and speaking, the soft palate is often affected in NIH principal deputy director and NIDCR’s director created care teams, and, in 1938, Cooper formed patients with cleft palate . from 2000 to 2010, it is to take full advantage the Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic . of the power of data . “Our ability to collect and His lab also has teamed up with biomedical analyze data at scales that 8 to 10 years ago we Today, interprofessional health care teams are engineers to make a 3-D printed scaffold that can could not have imagined is today a real possibility,” used around the world to help people with both be seeded with stem cells and placed into defective he said . bone to prompt its regeneration . In Slavkin wishes to see more “evidence-based policy animal studies, this making,” and the possibility that “all people have method has led to comprehensive, quality health care ”. high-quality bone Dental, oral and craniofacial research is moving regeneration, said forward on many fronts, said Somerman, who Chai . His goal is to outlined research priorities that emerged from the use 3-D scaffolds to institute’s strategic visioning initiative, NIDCR 2030 . better repair cleft palates and other She envisions a future where patients benefit from craniofacial defects autotherapies that harness the body’s ability to in humans . heal itself . She looks forward to the availability of more comprehensive salivary diagnostics, improve- Like Chai, Dr . Chia ments in machine learning to speed diagnosis, Soo aims to improve increased understanding of the microbes that the body’s ability to reside in us and more public-private partnerships to heal . She and her get treatments to patients faster . colleagues at UCLA’s School of Medicine By 2030, Somerman said, dental, oral and craniofa- On hand at the symposium were (from l) Drs . Niki Moutsopoulos, Chia Soo, have shown that cial health should “be understood within the context Hongjiao Ouyang, Mary (“Cindy”) Farach-Carson, Harold Slavkin, Yang Chai, a protein called of the whole body,” and precision health should be Somerman, Tabak, Matthew Hoffman, Maria Morasso and Noriaki Ono . fibromodulin is available for everyone . PHOTOS: CHIA-CHI CHARLIE CHANG required for scarless

NIH RECORD • JUNE 28, 2019 • 5 • • • “Our science has been inspired by patients.”

~DR. SEKAR KATHIRESAN • • •

blood from flowing. If the blockage lasts for Statins are beneficial in lowering risk, more than 20 minutes, necrosis sets in and whether from polygenic or monogenic heart muscle dies. causes, said Kathiresan. And lifestyle Although there are both heritable and adjustments—not smoking, lowering BMI, lifestyle components of MI risk (and most eating properly and getting enough exercise risk of heart attack is from non-genetic and sleep—can cut risk by up to 50 percent. causes, such as smoking, diabetes, high BMI, “DNA is not destiny here,” he said. sedentary habits and other lifestyle factors), Kathiresan predicts that within the next Kathiresan the best risk factor measures until recently 5 years, people will know their polygenic risk CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 have been lipoproteins—high-density (HDL, score number as readily as they now know or “good cholesterol”), low-density (LDL, their LDLs. these can equal the predictive power of the or “bad cholesterol”) and so-called TRLs, He said that for most common, complex monogenic model); and somatic mutations triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. diseases such as heart disease and cancer, that arise in the body over a lifetime. However, Kathiresan and his colleagues once one has teased out the contributions Kathiresan and his colleagues have have recently found that high levels of HDL of heredity, lifestyle and somatic mutations, invented a polygenic risk score that one are, in fact, not protective. Furthermore, risk turns out to be “a smoothie [a blend of could theoretically learn at birth as a way of medicines designed to raise HDL, in hopes of risk factors], not a fruit salad [separate and navigating away, throughout a lifetime, from offering protection, have no effect on cardio- distinct driver pathways].” the reefs and shoals of heart attack risk. vascular outcomes. HDL is now considered He concluded with recent research Like not a few other WALS lecturers, a non-causal marker, no longer meriting the results that may offer the greatest hope of Kathiresan credits early training at NIH as label “good.” It simply marks a low level of all. Certain rare populations in the world crucial to his development as a scientist. He TRLs. “We may have had it backwards for the carry a mutation to the APOC3 gene, which spent the summer of 1993 here, after his first last 30-40 years,” Kathiresan said. dramatically lowers triglyceride levels. year at Harvard Medical School, and “had a Medicines are now being sought to do what terrific experience, especially with respect to this mutation accomplishes naturally. becoming a physician-scientist.” Kathiresan acknowledges that his passion And like many other speakers, “Our to make a difference in preventing MI has science has been inspired by patients,” he yet another personal dimension: his brother said. Kathiresan summarized the case of a Senthil died 7 years ago of heart attack. 42-year-old man who suffered a heart attack As he takes the reins at Verve this and died 10 days later. Ironically, only 6 summer, Kathiresan has three major goals: months earlier, the man had seen a cardi- interpret patients’ genomes early in life, ologist who calculated the victim’s lifetime intervene with diet, exercise and medication risk of MI as 1.7 percent, or “low,” using a and, perhaps most importantly, develop new global risk score sanctioned by the American treatments that mimic the effect of resis- College of Cardiology and the American tance mutations. Heart Association. As NIH director Dr. Francis Collins had Confident that he could surpass that said in his introduction to the lecture, “Sek woeful predictive capability, Kathiresan and is the person I would most want to give a colleagues set out to determine the average lecture on genes, lifestyle and risk for heart risk of MI by combining insights on the attack.” genetic risk of MI, countered by the genetic basis of resistance, or protection from, MI. MI has two phases, he said. The first is chronic—decades of plaque buildup in coronary arteries. The second is when a tear NIH director Dr . Francis Collins presents forms on the inner wall of an artery on the Kathiresan with plaque . surface of the heart. A clot forms, stopping PHOTO: KIM CALVIN

6 • NIH RECORD • JUNE 28, 2019 NCI Workshop Explores Liver with an underlying liver disease, mainly as Cancer, Which Is on Rise a result of hepatitis B or C virus infection or alcohol abuse. However, non-viral conditions More than 150 investigators and clinicians such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, with expertise in basic science, epidemiol- metabolic syndrome, diabetes and obesity ogy, early detection and clinical research can amplify the risk of liver cancer and they gathered at NIH recently to assess the state may soon become a leading cause of liver of the science regarding the progression of cancer in the U.S. NEI director Dr . Paul Sieving (c) signs agreement with International Council of fibrosis to liver cancer. The objectives of the NCI acting director Dr. Doug Lowy Ophthalmology CEO Neeru Gupta (l) and workshop “Liver Fibrosis to Cancer” were opened the meeting by detailing the scope ICO president Dr . Peter Wiedemann at the of the problem. “The mortality 2019 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology annual meeting . rate from liver cancer has continued to increase, and you’ll notice that there has been a pla- New Fellowship in Ophthalmic teauing of the incidence. I think Genetics that, with the new epidemic of The National Eye Institute is partnering with the hepatitis C infection, if it is left International Council of Ophthalmology to offer a untreated, we are going to see fellowship at NEI in ophthalmic genetics research . a continuing resumption in the This first such collaboration between the two increase in the incidence of liver organizations will bring to NEI an early-career cancer.” He also discussed a clinician from a country designated by the World collaboration between NIH and Bank as lower- or middle-income . The fellow will CDC that is designed to address spend a year working in NEI’s Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch . NEI clinical director Dr . barriers to care. Brian Brooks will serve as the fellow’s mentor . There was a special emphasis Opening remarks from NCI acting director Dr . Doug Lowy on opportunities for inter- The fellow will gain experience that is likely unavailable in his or her home country . For NEI, ventions that could combine the fellowship is an opportunity to engage in to understand the mechanisms and epide- basic research with translational research “soft diplomacy,” according to Dr . John Prakash, miology of viral and non-viral causes of liver (biomarkers, reversibility of fibrosis/cirrho- associate director for NEI international programs . fibrosis and the progression to liver cancer. sis, etc.). “Following this kind of experience, fellows will In the United States, liver cancer is the The final session highlighted funding not only promote NEI,” said Prakash . “They will second most lethal tumor. The rate of death opportunities, clinical trials, SEER-linked become opinion leaders in their home countries from liver cancer increased by more than registries and other NCI resources that may and influence their government’s policies . And the 43 percent between 2000 and 2016, and be useful to the liver cancer community.— ultimate benefit will be to the patient population the incidence has nearly tripled in the last around the world ”. Audrey Wellons decade. Most liver cancers occur in patients

NIBIB’s Tromberg Takes in View from Hill NIBIB director Dr . Bruce Tromberg marked his sixth month on the job with a visit to Capitol Hill, where he shared his vision for biomedical imaging and bioengineering with congressional members and staff . Rep . Anna Eshoo (D) of California’s 18th congressional district and the Academy for Radiology & Biomedical Imaging Research, an organization instrumental in advocating for NIBIB’s found- ing and acclaiming its ongoing impact, hosted a June 4 welcome reception at the Cannon House Office Bldg . congressional members and staff attended the event to learn about NIBIB Eshoo sponsored and its research . At left, Tromberg (l) and Eshoo meet with Rep . Bill Flores the bill that became (R) of Texas’ 17th district as NCCIH director Dr . Helene Langevin looks on P .L . 106-580 and in the background . Above at left, Tromberg chats with Rep . Lisa Blunt created NIBIB as Rochester (D) of Delaware’s at-large congressional district . At right, he an institute at NIH meets with Rep . Rob Bishop (R) of Utah’s first congressional district . in 2000 . More than two dozen PHOTOS: NIBIB, LISA NOVITSKY

NIH RECORD • JUNE 28, 2019 • 7 Josselyn Josselyn is also studying CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 what might cause memory disruptions in Alzheimer’s It’s a field that provides insights into how disease. In recent experi- we learn and could lead to interventions for ments, she injected mice with cognitive impairments and neurodegenera- amyloid beta, peptides that tive diseases. can induce neuron degener- “My lab is really interested in understand- ation and disrupt synapses, ing how the brain encodes, stores and uses which are prevalent in the information,” said Josselyn, who spoke at a brains of Alzheimer’s patients. recent NIMH Director’s Innovation Speaker She then injected the trans- Series lecture at the Neuroscience Center. genic mice with a peptide that “We think this is a real fundamental goal of would restore the synapse, neuroscience.” which returned memory in Building on basic research, Josselyn’s lab these mice. Other researchers began searching for the long-elusive engram, have made similar strides with or memory trace—a change in the brain various molecular interven- Josselyn’s experiments reveal the highly competitive nature of when something is encoded as a memory. neurons . tions in animal models, she noted, but to date none have Previous researchers searched for it for PHOTOS: MARLEEN VAN DEN NESTE years but couldn’t pinpoint the engram to a succeeded in people. specific spot in the brain. Josselyn’s lab then overexpressed CREB in In these experiments, To begin her quest, Josselyn ran a simple select neurons and, after the mouse learned Josselyn also had another curious finding. In Pavlovian conditioning experiment on something, shone a light to turn off those wild type mice, the neural freezing signature, mice. After a quick shock followed by a tone, cells overexpressing CREB; these mice or memory recall, started with individual she placed the mouse in a different setting showed a memory deficit. cells, then evolved into a coordinated network and played the tone again. The moment “We were very excited about this,” she activity. This pattern completion scheme the mouse froze to the tone would indicate said. “It was the first hint we’d gotten our was disrupted in the transgenic mice but was memory formation. hands, or at least our viruses, on the engram… restored after the intervention. Research has shown that neurons in the “We think that events lateral amygdala are involved in the memory w w w are represented by patterns trace. “They respond both to the tone and of activity in cells that are to the shock,” said Josselyn. “Yet there’s a “Eligible neurons seem to compete active during an event, surprisingly small number, about 20 percent, against one another.” an engram, and we think that seem to be necessary to encode any one memory retrieval involves given fear memory.” ~DR. SHEENA JOSSELYN recapitulation of this pattern In humans, fear memories are sparsely w w w of sequences.” encoded in the amygdala, leading Josselyn Josselyn said it’s time to question why certain neurons are chosen These findings lead us to conclude that to take what researchers have learned so far to be an engram team player while others lateral amygdala neurons overexpressing about genes and circuit dynamics and use get excluded. Her experiments revealed the CREB at the time of training are somehow computational tools to look at all aspects of highly competitive nature of neurons. necessary, or indispensable, for the subse- behavior. “Eligible neurons seem to compete quent expression of that fear memory.” In people, recalling a memory is an active against one another,” said Josselyn. “The Further experiments elucidated how process that could change the underlying ones that win this competition and actually some memories might be linked. In one engram. “You can change a memory [every become part of this fear memory engram are study, Josselyn found that if two fear time] you recall it,” said Josselyn during the the ones with the highest level of transcrip- memory events occurred within 6 hours of post-lecture discussion. “You can extinguish tion factor CREB [cAMP response element each other, they were allocated to the same it. You can strengthen it. You can pair it binding protein].” population of neurons, which linked the with something new. When you change it, it It turns out that CREB holds important memories. Other researchers are currently becomes plastic again.” clues to memory formation in part because studying this phenomenon in people, using One attendee asked about the possibility of it can increase neuronal excitability. These functional MRI. manipulating traumatic memories. enthusiastic neurons are more likely to get “They’re looking at fMRI codes in broad “When we retrieve an older memory, the recruited into the engram. brain regions,” Josselyn said. “We’re looking neurons important in the recovery of this When CREB was increased in a small at specific populations of a small brain memory are active,” she said, “and I think that portion of random neurons, the mice froze region, but the goal is to link up these human gives us a really cool time window to try an more often, indicating better memory. and these mouse studies.” intervention.”

8 • NIH RECORD • JUNE 28, 2019 DIGEST

quatem. Et volliti bustrume pedi comni laborit pari dolo dolecul lectiossi te que lam mapping studies suggested that the study began . The study ques- to results from a study funded by humans and monkeysundunt rehendantur.see the tionnaire asked whether thequi women bere voluptasinNIDDK . T heperupta Vitamin nust D and verchillit Type world in very similarXersperia ways . B voluptaut then quidemslept with acid no quiatia light, a small nightlight,aut escia quamusdae.2 Diabetes (D2d) study enrolled Conway hearddolorat. about some Dunt studies ut fugiaes lightsuntio outside qui occusan of the room- or a lightQuodit autes2,423 quamusadults and quam was conducted ulparum at on hearing beingdus doneiliquia by volorec Norman- tiuriatiaor television quia quat. on in the roomrector . re ma22 sit, sites optatusam across the etUnited lit, neculla States . Haignere, who, at the time, was a These findings were published in the Em ducil et quiam doluptasScientists at usedmagna weight,- height,tiamus waist ant hillaudi veliqua estibeat litibus postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory New England Journal of Medicine of Dr . Josh McDermotttiam, tendus at MIT dem. . Et eumand sim hip aperciae circumference pe and bodyciisime nditaecatiaand presented consequia at the 79thvolorest scientific qui qui delictas dollates di voluptumass index sdandae. measurements takenimillat offictisessions denturibus of the American dolupiet Diabetes officto “I told Bevil thatNequaec we had epersperem a method simeat baseline, simi, et asam well quis as self-reportedberum latemporiAssociation tectota in San quidunt, Francisco cuptur . for reliably identifying a region in information on weight at baseline the human brainvolore that dollam selectively harchil mi,and inus follow-up et, soles 5 - milibusD2d is the dis largest minis Scientists found that our brains responds to soundstiam num with excepudispitch,” said nonsenteyears later laboreria . Using magnamstudy to directly fugitatis are more sensitive to pitch, the Norman-Haigneredit quia . That endebit is when quas they expedthis information,ma alit am esequamexamine if qui cum harmonic sounds we hear when got the idea tononet compare qui ilhumans experchit odthe exceped scientists eventi reptatur.daily vitamin D listening to music . with monkeysbea . Based dolorem on his fugiasstudies, magni were resti able officid to supplementationAximaxi IMAGE: STOCKBYTE/GETTY Conway bet that they would see no study obesity and helps keep people differences . quam qui doloratum ipsapedweight etur, gain in molorestat high risk for velitae rem aritate es sequidiwomen tiistia exposed magnamenistype 2 diabetes et FeatureOur Brains Story Appear Cover 3-LineA brain imaging study has found denis andipitecea quas minciaeto artificial vit, light quatem.from developing Et volliti Uniquely Tuned for that the human brain strongly favors at night with the disease . The Headline Feature Story Coverharmonic soundssoluptat over noise,voluptum com- qui aut volupta etus bustrume pedi women who Taking a daily vitamin D study included Musical Pitch pared to the macaqueet magnis monkey restem brain faceari . secae sandem comni undunt 3-Line Headline reported sleeping supplement does not prevent adults age 30 BYLINEIn the endless search for under- The results suggestium facea that consectspeech and ectiatis in autdark hitia rooms . type 2 diabetes . rehendantur.or older and standing what makes us human, music may have shaped our brain’s doluptatem aut inulpar chiliqu iatust IMAGE: ANILAKKUS/ISTOCK assigned partic- Eventscientists posaperchic found that temquamendit our brains quiaehearing quia circuits eatissum . The two invel species ipsunti busanturThe results molore varied ipants randomly simare nis more et resciissensitive imaios to pitch, a consedit the pratiisqueappear to have evolved differences with the level of to either take in the functionalvolore organization re nonsequam of facius,artificial commolest light at night exposure . For millestisharmonic dolloribus sounds we consed hear when magnimagniam 4,000 international units of the D3 listening to music, than our brain regionsmaio involved omnis in pitch nis voluptatibusexample, maiorporibus using a small nightlight labo. Enihici audiae simpost isquia cus (cholecalciferol) form of vitamin evolutionary relative the macaque perception . venis ea net eum facessinwas et fugiam,not associated neculle with weight D or a placebo pill daily . All study exerumemonkey . turitatThe study, ecullec funded ersperi in part oreruptates ndaepella volupta tusdaegain, nus, whereas qui doles women sunt. who slept participants had their vitamin D adigniaby NIH, que highlights sit rem the is apromise pratestibus autSleeping pro- with Artificial with a light or television on were 17 Head 2 levels measured at the start of ruptatisof Sound autatatur Health—a amus joint project alissit faccabLight ipsae at Night percent more likely to have gained 5 the study . At that time, about 80 kilograms, approximately 11 pounds, omnimolbetween uptamusaNIH and the pore John odissim F . inciaepro Body 1 para 1 et parum exerum siminct percent of participants had vitamin Kennedy Center for the Performing Associated with or more over the follow-up period . bla voloris simaior. emporae. Bita conesti sequoditiate sitio. Am D levels considered sufficient by U .S . Arts, in association with the Weight Gain in Women The association with having light nutritional standards . NationalThe ab Endowment id et et rerit for ommollore the Arts— sumet et qui rempori debitio maximi,coming nonfrom peoutside volent the room was ullecatethat aims prendita to understand perume the et role ut dentisof Sleeping ut est withetur a television saecepe or riatio light mossimusmore modest eumquas . “Observational studies have music in health . on in the roomdolupta may be sitemo a risk factor testint, odicium, et pori- reported an association between low labor siminimus es dolupit laccab id quifor gainingut weight or developing Also, the scientists wondered if not busam labor audae acerae dolupta idus et is levels of vitamin D and increased risk optibus“We found aut thatqui abea certain que regiondoles earumquaeof obesity, according to NIH scientists . getting enough rest factored into for type 2 diabetes,” said Dr . Myrlene deour mo brains eostiis has es a strongeraccum qui prefer rendestionet- The aut research, which the findings . Staten, D2d project scientist at posence et formagnimp sounds with orrovit pitch aut than pori aborenimwas published “Although poor NIDDK . “Additionally, smaller studies sequaspemacaque voloritatmonkey brains,” volendi said consequi Dr . cusonline nist, June 10 sleep by itself found that vitamin D could improve Bevil Conway, investigator in NIH’s in JAMA Internal quam faciunto quisi illatia eribusdandae was associated the function of beta cells, which Intramural Research Program and a Medicine, is the first produce insulin . However, whether idit, ut et fugitiis ab idem in eost, verum with obesity and senior author of the study published to find an asso- weight gain, it vitamin D supplementation may help descipsamJune 10 in Natureque pe Neuroscience sitatempora . venis adciation que between did not explain prevent or delay type 2 diabetes was veleni“The resultscorepudant raise the dentes possibility necepel that inctasany exposure to the associa- not known ”. these sounds, which are embedded artificial light at Sleeping with a television or ipidebisqui aut facest, consequi ommolo illis tions between The study screened participants in speech and music, may have night while sleeping light on may be a risk factor delesequae voluptatur aut lanis esto. exposure to every 3 to 6 months for an average shaped the basic organization of the and weight gain in for gaining weight, study finds . artificial light humanTem volorepbrain ”. tatiam denditi sinulluptus,women . The results of 2 .5 years to determine if diabetes IMAGE: FATCAMERA/GETTY while sleeping illaboreic te cus eum sime mil ium doleculsuggest that cutting had developed . Researchers then The study started with a friendly and weight,” said compared the number of people in laborit pari dolo dolecul lectiossi te queoff lam lights at bedtime corresponding author Dr . Dale bet between Conway and Dr . Sam could reduceeaturia women’s isque chances quunt of voluptatis sit ped quam, each of the two study groups that quiNorman-Haignere, bere voluptasin postdoctoral perupta nust verchillit od ut voluptatur? Sandler, chief of the Epidemiology had progressed to type 2 diabetes . becoming obese . Branch at NIEHS . autfellow escia at quamusdae.Columbia University’s Quodit autes quamus Xerumqu aepudia epudae dit archil quamZuckerman ulparum Institute rector for re Mind, ma Brain,sit, optatusam The research team used question- At the end of the study, 293 out ea conse poria venditi onserspVitamin erestrum D Does Not of 1,211 participants (24 .2 percent) etand lit, Behaviorneculla tiamusand the firstant hillaudi author of veliqua naire data from 43,722 women in the paper . the Sister Study,voluptate a cohort lis study voluptium that natiaPrevent volorup Type tatati 2 in the vitamin D group developed estibeat litibus ciisime nditaecatia conseexamines- riskblandus, factors for solupti breast buscit, aut recesen dipsantia diabetes compared to 323 out of At the time, both were working Diabetes in People at quia volorest qui imillat officti denturibuscancer and othercon etdiseases idenim . Th esciliquatete par- vel ma dem ipit 1,212 (26 .7 percent) in the placebo dolupietat MIT . C offictoonway’s team berum had latempori been tectotaticipants, ages 35-74 years, had no High Risk group—a difference that did not searching for differences between fuga. Aximi, aribus imus volorrunt qui seque quidunt, cuptur milibus dis minis magnamhistory of cancer or cardiovascular reach statistical significance . The how human and monkey brains nobiti dition con repersperumTaking a esti daily reperibus vitamin D supplement study was designed to detect a risk fugitatis esequam qui cum reptatur. disease and were not shift workers, control vision, only to discover daytime sleepersquo dolloresteor pregnant voluptatur.when does not prevent type 2 diabetes reduction of 25 percent or more . thatAximaxi there are molorest very few magnamenis . Their brain et illaboreic te cus eum simein adults mil at ium high dolecul risk, according

NIH RECORD • JUNE 28, 2019 • 9 MILESTONES

After NIDCD was established in 1988, Chadwick began collaborating with scientists at the institute, reentering the field of cochlear dynamics . In 1996, he transferred to NIDCD as a senior investigator and chief of the section on auditory mechanics . In 2006, Chadwick was elected as a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering . Chadwick was integral to the development and use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) . He described how to use AFM with modeling to gain insights into soft tissues . He later pioneered a modified version of this technology called non-contact AFM, which allows researchers to study tissues without physi- cally touching—and thus damaging—their delicate structures . With this method, Chadwick and his collaborators have been able to gain insight into the behavior of tissue, such as the tissue necessary for sound detection in the inner ear . NINDS director Dr . Walter Koroshetz presents Nancy Hart with a plaque thanking her for Chadwick’s work has increased knowledge of the “her years of outstanding service, dedication, Dr . Richard Chadwick listens to talks from hearing process through an artful interweaving of mentees and collaborators at his retirement guidance and support ”. mathematical, physical and biological approaches . symposium in April . One of his many research contributions was an PHOTO: ANDREA VAREA insight into the structure of the cochlear spiral . NIDCD’s Chadwick Retires The reason for the snail shape of the cochlea in is the time to start a new chapter in my life and do mammals had been elusive . He and his collabora- some things I haven’t been able to do,” said Hart . Dr . Richard Chadwick retired from NIH in April after tors used cues from famous architectural structures 39 years of research and service . He spent the last such as whispering galleries—where someone A native of Bexley, Ohio (a suburb of Columbus), 23 years at the National Institute on Deafness and can hear another’s whisper from across a large Hart graduated from Bexley High School in 1962 Other Communication Disorders as chief of the enclosed space, typically an area with curved and earned her bachelor of science degree in section on auditory mechanics . He continues to walls—to show that the spiral curvature is critical to nursing in 1966 from the University of Michigan serve as a scientist emeritus . amplifying sensitivity to low frequency sounds . School of Nursing . She began her career as a com- “Dr . Chadwick was one of the first researchers missioned officer in the Navy Nurse Corps stationed Reflecting on his interdisciplinary work and life in at Bethesda Naval Hospital/National Naval Medical to study bioengineering as we know it today, general, Chadwick said that “there is an intersec- promoting it internationally to spark interest in the Center (NNMC), where she cared for wounded tion between science and art . Both are intended to Marines returning from Vietnam . budding field before it was standard curriculum communicate a message and to make people feel at universities,” said Dr . Andrew Griffith, NIDCD something ”. “My father was a general practitioner and my scientific director . “His unique and extremely mother and her three sisters were trained as collaborative approach to research has yielded Chadwick has had a long history of mentoring and nurses,” said Hart . “I was fascinated to hear the fundamental discoveries about cell mechanics and advocating for women in science . One of the speak- stories my mother and aunts told about their fluid dynamics within the inner ear as well as other ers at an April retirement symposium in Chadwick’s nursing experiences and thought it would be a types of tissues and cells ”. honor was Dr . Núria Gavara, associate professor wonderful way to help and serve others . And I at Queen Mary University of London . She was a loved biology and chemistry in high school ”. Chadwick began his career in mechanical engi- postdoctoral fellow in the Chadwick lab and then neering, earning a bachelor’s and then a master’s became a long-term collaborator . After serving a 3-year tour of duty and attaining degree from Cornell University in 1966 . He went on the rank of lieutenant, she applied for a job at NIH to earn a Ph .D . in aeronautics and astronautics from Gavara commented on the importance of being and began working as a research nurse—first in Stanford University in 1971 . Chadwick then joined kind in the competitive world of biomedical cancer, primarily with leukemia patients, and later the engineering faculty at the Technion-Israel research . “Being kind to those you supervise is not with patients being treated for manic depression . Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel, in 1971, where always easy . It is a choice . In this regard, Richard he began to study the mechanical properties of the has been making the right choices for 40 years ”. In 1971, Hart earned her master’s degree in health cochlea, the organ of hearing in the inner ear . He education and human growth and development moved back to the United States in 1975 to work NINDS’s Hart Retires After 30 from the University of Maryland . She began her as a research fellow in chemical engineering at the Years of Federal Service teaching career in 1975, serving a year as an California Institute of Technology before becoming instructor at American University, where she an adjunct associate professor at the University of BY SHANNON E. GARNETT created and taught a workshop on adolescent California, Los Angeles, in 1977 . suicide . She left AU in 1976 to join the Catholic In her career spanning 53 years, Nancy Hart has University staff as an assistant professor of pediat- Chadwick then joined NIH’s Bioengineering and had many roles—some formal such as naval officer, ric nursing and human growth and development . Instrumentation Branch in 1980, later leading the nurse, professor and writer—and others perhaps biomechanics group . not as formal, like CFC keyworker extraordinaire, After leaving there in 1978, she became a nursing stroke education champion supreme and overall instructor at Suburban Hospital, where she devel- “When I first arrived at NIH, there was no perim- NINDS outreach program cheerleader . On May 31, oped programs designed to on-board new nurses eter gate; it was an open campus,” Chadwick she added another title to the list—jubilant retiree . and technicians and created seminars for diabetic said “. However, the campus was not open about After 30 years of service in the federal government, patients and their families . mixing engineering, physics and math with biology . 23 with NINDS, Hart has officially retired . There is much less resistance now . I hope I had Hart joined Holy Cross Hospital in 1981 as a something to do with it ”. “After working fulltime since 1966, I thought now teaching specialist, creating the first diabetic

10 • NIH RECORD • JUNE 28, 2019 VOLUNTEERS

multidisciplinary health education program for the then-450-bed nonprofit acute care facility . From VRC Needs Healthy Volunteers Holy Cross, Hart moved to work at Options and Choices where she was an advanced nurse clinician and educator, developing health education programs for clients across the country—covering a wide array of Vaccine Research Center researchers seek health issues from mental health conditions to gastrointestinal disorders . healthy volunteers, 18-50 years old, for a study evaluating an investigational vaccine that Before coming to NINDS, Hart returned to NNMC as assistant director of the health promotions depart- targets HIV . Compensation is provided . There is ment . There, her efforts focused on creating and evaluating health promotion education programs for no risk of infection . To learn how to participate, active duty, retired and civil service personnel . She joined NINDS on Nov . 24, 1996, as a scientific and call 1-866-833-5433, email vaccines@nih g. ov or medical coalition coordinator . visit http://bit .ly/VRC-018 . “I have always been passionate about prevention, so I wanted to work in an area where I could play some People with Crohn’s Disease Sought part in preventing stroke, and this job was a fantastic opportunity to do just that . . .and on a national level,” Hart said . NIAID is seeking individuals who have Crohn’s disease where current or previous treatments At NINDS, she helped launch “Know Stroke . Know the Signs . Act in Time ”—. a nationwide educational have not worked to control symptoms . campaign to increase awareness of new treatments and protocols for stroke . She also responded to stroke Researchers are testing an investigational inquiries from the public, health professionals and Congress and for 11 years served as a key member of the medication that may control the inflammation NIH-wide Take Your Child to Work Day committee—taking the lead in soliciting NINDS scientists and staff and symptoms of Crohn’s disease . Study-related to create educational and interactive activities for children . tests, medication and procedures are provided Hart helped create the Unraveling the Mysteries of the Brain series—an NINDS science educational seminar at no cost . Compensation may be provided for series for nonscientists . She also served as the first coordinator for the newly formed Parkinson’s disease certain research-related procedures . Contact coordinating committee and was a member of the NINDS social media team . She organized NINDS’s the Office of Patient Recruitment, 1-866-444- efforts in the USA Science & Engineering Festival and Brain Awareness Week—an international campaign 2214, prpl@cc .nih g. ov (TTY for the deaf or to increase public awareness of brain research . hard of hearing: 1-866-411-1010) . Read more at https://go .usa g. ov/xNvGp . Refer to study Among Hart’s most satisfying accomplishments was her work as coordinator of the Brain Attack Coalition . 17-I-0101 . BAC is a group of professional, voluntary and government organizations dedicated to setting direction, advancing knowledge and communicating the best practices to prevent and treat stroke . In April 2017, Patients with Liver Disease Needed Hart, a founding member, and BAC marked their 20th anniversary . NIDDK researchers seek volunteers to par- “Working with the BAC has given me the opportunity to work with a very diverse group of innovative, ticipate in a research study . For 30 weeks, creative, dynamic people devoted to improving stroke care . And it is rewarding to think, perhaps, that I participants will receive a medication called have made some contribution to improving the quality of life for people suffering from stroke and perhaps semaglutide (typically used for type 2 diabetes), preventing a stroke from occurring,” said Hart . aiming to improve their liver disease and help them lose weight . The study hopes to under- At their March meeting, BAC members presented Hart with a plaque thanking her for “her years of stand liver damage and its treatment in people outstanding service, dedication, guidance and support . Her efforts have improved stroke care for millions with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) of patients ”. or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) . Throughout her career, Hart received numerous awards and accolades, including the Allene Van Son Compensation is provided . For more informa- Diabetes Educators Award; several NINDS group merit awards for teamwork on stroke; and a special act tion, call 1-866-444-2214 (TTY 1-866-411-1010) group award for her role in the 2018 Stroke Twitter chat . or email prpl@cc .nih g. ov . Read more at https:// go .usa g. ov/xmJ8q . Refer to study 19-DK-0072 . In 2011, Hart and colleagues won a gold Plain Language Award, a Blue Pencil Award and a NINDS Group Merit Award for concept development of an interactive exhibit—the Lobe-oratorium . Suffered a Recent Head Injury? In retirement, Hart plans to decompress, relax and spend time with her daughter, son-in-law and four grand- NINR seeks research participants who have daughters . In the fall she intends to take classes: “I am happiest when I am learning new things ”. experienced a mild to moderate head injury in the last 30 days . The aim of the research In parting, Hart offered words from the late Sen . Edward Kennedy: “‘For all those whose cares have been is to explore why some people with a head our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream shall never die ’. This injury go on to develop other conditions such quote has inspired me for many years . I kept it in a prominent place in my office so I could see it every day as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and will do the same in retirement ”. or post-concussion disorder . Compensation is provided . Contact the Clinical Center Office of Volkow Speaks, Receives Patient Recruitment at 1-866-444-2214 (TTY for Honorary Degree at UMBC the deaf or hard of hearing: 1-866-411-1010) or prpl@cc .nih g. ov . Read more at https://go .usa . On May 23, NIDA director Dr . Nora Volkow gov/xUaJ4 . Refer to study 14-NR-0032 . delivered the commencement address at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County . Patients with OI Needed for Study Her speech honored graduates of the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, the NICHD researchers seek individuals with osteo- College of Engineering and Information genesis imperfecta (OI) for study participation . Technology and the Individualized Studies Now enrolling children up to age 12 and people Program . In her address, Volkow inspired with OI of any age who were previously seen students to pursue career paths in the sci- at NIH . For more information, call the Clinical ences . She also received an honorary doctor Center Office of Patient Recruitment, 1-866- of science degree for her commitment to 444-2214 (TTY for the deaf or hard of hearing: discovering innovative solutions to addiction . 1-866-411-1010) . Read more at https://go .usa . gov/xEYjh . Refer to study 18-CH-0120 . Her full talk is available at https://youtu .be/XaFUXkUxgBY .

NIH RECORD • JUNE 28, 2019 • 11 SEEN

NIH Marks Police Awareness Patient Safety and Clinical Quality, who was coaxed by coworkers into a practice exercise—retrieving Week with Cookout, Exhibits a bomb, which was actually a tote bag—using the The NIH Police hosted their 27th annual NIH Police remote control robot . “I play Mario Kart [video Awareness event on National Peace Officers’ game] with my son and my cart always ends up Memorial Day, May 15, on the front lawn of Bldg . 1 . going around and around in circles and never A number of local, state and federal law enforce- getting anywhere . But this was much easier than a ment agencies attended, including units from the video game ”. The event brought together a number of Metro Transit Police, Rockville City, Montgomery local, state and federal law enforcement County, Gaithersburg, U .S . Park Police, U .S . An NIH fire engine and other first responders agencies including units from Rockville Marshals and U .S . Department of Commerce . as well as various NIH emergency management City, Montgomery County and (above, r) Several set up tables featuring examples of gear resources were also on hand at the event . The Gaithersburg . and equipment they use in their jobs . ever-popular cookout featured hot dogs, hamburg- ers, chicken and Italian sausages with onions and The banner weather day brought out dozens of kids green peppers . NIH Police donate proceeds, about from the preschool/daycare communities at NIH $500 this year, from food sales . This year’s charity who were delighted by visits with several K-9 offi- supports families of police and firefighters who cers and police on horseback . Children and adults died in the line of duty . The organization is called both were also fascinated by gun-safety simulator Heroes, Inc ., https://heroes .org/ . drills and demonstrations of the remote-control robot used to handle suspicious packages . Police Awareness Week has been celebrated nationwide since 1962, when President Kennedy “I didn’t want to try it at first,” said Sophia designated the memorial day to honor fallen law Grasmeder, a nurse in the Clinical Center’s Office of enforcement officers .

Dozens of kids from the preschool/daycare communities at NIH are delighted by visits with police on horseback .

At left, Ofcr . D . Kayal (l) of Metro Transit Police shows CC’s Sophia Grasmeder how to use the remote control robot . At right, Ofcr . Dana Stroman (seated) of the Montgomery County Police Department talks with NIH Police Maj . Pamela Datcher . At the emergency management information table are (from l) NIH Police Deputy Chief Leslie Campbell; Mary Sparks, senior nurse manager, Office of Patient Safety and Quality Control; and David Haupt and Timothy Smith, both of the Division of Emergency Management .

At the grills are NIH Police Lt . Lawrence Brown (l) and Maj . Josh Minix . Proceeds from food sales, about $500, were donated to Heroes, Inc ,. which supports families of police and firefighters who died in the line of duty . Sgt . Alan Blaum with partner, K9 Copper, at the recent Police Awareness Week event in front of Bldg . 1 PHOTOS: LISA HELFERT

12 • NIH RECORD • JUNE 28, 2019