SUMMER/FALL 2009 EINSTThe Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Albert Einstein CollegeE of Medicine ofIN Yeshiva University EINSTEIN & INDIA Working together for global health Inside: Reunion Coverage 2009th Commencement/ 50 WORLDWIDE COMMITMENT Over the last decade, Albert Einstein College of Medicine has dedicated itself to improving global health. Nowhere is this commitment more evident than in India, home to more than one billion people. Einstein faculty members work with their Indian counterparts in confronting challenges ranging from AIDS to alcoholism. Our cover story, “Einstein & India,” shows that global health is truly a two-way street: Knowledge gained in helping less-developed countries can directly benefit America as well. contents FEATURES 2 A Message from the Dean 20 Einstein & India Einstein researchers have teamed up with their Indian counterparts to tackle HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, alcohol abuse and other global health challenges. 32 Q & A with Ruth L. Gottesman, Ed.D. Chairperson, Einstein Board of Overseers Dr. Gottesman talks about her distinguished Einstein career—from innovative educator to her current position as chairperson of the College of Medicine’s Board of Overseers. 36 Up, Running & Recruiting The Price Center/Block Research Pavilion is open for business and filling up with new and talented researchers. 42 Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz: Giving Back to the Bronx Two of Einstein’s leading supporters have wonderful memories of the Bronx, and their recent gift will greatly help in preventing cancer in their favorite borough. DEPARTMENTS 4 Upfront: Collegial Life 14 Upfront: Lab Dish 18 Upfront: Einstein Editions 46 Passionate Pursuits 48 Our DNA: Alumni Q & A 50 Our DNA: Alumni News 60 Making a Difference 68 A Look Back EINSTEIN Summer/Fall 2009; Volume 29, No. 1 The magazine for alumni, faculty, students, friends and supporters of Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University Published by A Message from the Dean The Philip and Rita Rosen Department of Communications and Public Affairs Gordon Earle, Associate Dean Good fences make good neighbors. Department of Institutional Advancement Glenn Miller, Associate Dean – Robert Frost, “Mending Wall,” 1914 Ira Lipson, Director hese words, spoken by Science and Publications Editor Larry Katzenstein Frost’s neighbor as he joined Frost in mending a Managing Editor Joan Lippert stone wall separating their Tproperties, noted the value in maintain- Institutional Advancement Writer Lora Friedman ing boundaries. The articles in this issue of Einstein illustrate the opposite: the Contributors Lauren Freudmann need to break down walls to advance Karen Gardner the cause of health. Gary Goldenberg Michael Heller Dr. Ruth Gottesman smashed barri- Robin Lloyd ers by becoming the first Einstein faculty Wendy Zencheck member to join its Board of Overseers, Creative Director where she now serves as chairperson. In Peter Dama the interview starting on page 32, she Art Director talks about the unique spirit of collegial- Lorene Tapellini current Bronx residents, and simultane- ity that fosters cross-fertilization of ideas ously help break down walls separating Designer and collaboration among researchers Jeneffer Gonçalves behavioral/social science and molecular/ at Einstein. genetic research. Photography That spirit is evident in “Up, Jason Torres Photography “Einstein & India” (pages 20 Running & Recruiting” (beginning Victor Vanzo, East Coast Productions, Inc. through 30) shows that we have crossed on page 36), which visits several new national boundaries to become a major scientists at work in the Michael F. Price Consultants player in global health. This is vital Center for Genetic and Translational Creative Direction from a social justice perspective and for Movement, Inc. Medicine/Harold and Muriel Block www.brandmovement.com our own good, since such efforts help Research Pavilion. At its essence, trans- prevent the spread of diseases that don’t Editorial Oversight lational medicine is all about removing Hayes Strategies recognize borders. walls—those between basic science and www.hayesstrategies.com Frost’s retort to his neighbor— clinical medicine—so that laboratory Something there is that doesn’t love a wall, discoveries can improve patients’ lives as that wants it down—was correct. By rapidly as possible. Each of the featured Address correspondence to: dismantling barriers and crossing over Editor, EINSTEIN Magazine scientists crosses boundaries between them, Einstein is improving the lives of Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus disparate fields in a way that affords new 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Belfer 905 people everywhere, from the Bronx to Bronx, NY 10461 opportunities for discovery. the rest of the world. The profile of Benefactors Marilyn Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.aecom.yu.edu and Stanley Katz, beginning on page 42, shows that they haven’t forgot- Copyright © 2009 Albert Einstein College of Medicine ten their Bronx roots. Their generous of Yeshiva University gift establishes a cancer prevention and ALLEN M. SPIEGEL, M.D. All rights reserved control program that will greatly benefit The Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean 2 EINSTEIN : SUMMER/FALL 09 LETTERS FROM OUR READERS | SUMMER/FALL 2009 EINiva University nd Friends of Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yesh EINSTThe Magazine for Alumni a Send us your thoughts! elcome to the new and their Indian counterparts—a prime improved Einstein. example of Einstein’s expanding efforts EINSTEIN The magazine still to advance global health. The article & INDIA Working together for global health Inside: covers the science was written by freelance writer Gary Reunion Coverage 2009th Commencement/ 50 Wthat is truly at “the heart of medicine” Goldenberg. A regular contributor to here at Einstein, but now it also includes Einstein publications and an inveterate much more. traveler, Gary also took the stunning For example, we’ve added a section photographs of India that accompany ON THE FRONT COVER devoted to goings-on around campus this article. To see more examples of A mother and child in (“Collegial Life”); two new sections Gary’s photography, visit his website, Calcutta, India. Photo by Gary Goldenberg highlighting Einstein staff members: www.mindlesspleasures.com. “Passionate Pursuits” (a profile of a In the future, we’ll continue to staffer with an interesting obsession) and cover global health and to keep you ON THE BACK COVER “Einstein Editions” (write-ups of new updated on student and faculty activi- Class of 1959 alumni (left to books by faculty members); and a final ties, research news, alumni news and the right) Drs. Chester Berschling, page that returns to the Einstein of old contributions of donors who help make Marion Zucker Goldstein, Itamar (“A Look Back”). it all possible. Salamon, Arnold Lieber, Evelyne Albrecht Schwaber, Mark Reiss, We have also recognized two vitally Finally, in coming issues we will Michael Heitler, Henry Spector, important groups not previously devote this page to your letters—what Irwin Bernhardt, Louis Aledort, included in the magazine: Einstein you like or don’t like about the maga- Marvin Kirschner alumni and donors. “Our DNA,” the zine, your candidates for articles and alumni section, contains a Q & A with profiles, and the like. Please email us at a prominent Einstein alum, as well as [email protected]. We look forward Visit US ON THE WEB! Alumni News. “Making a Difference” to hearing from you. On our website, readers can keep up with what’s happening at highlights the donors—individuals, Einstein: research and education family and corporate foundations, LARRY KATZENSTEIN news; features; multimedia offer- and members of Einstein’s Men’s and Science and Publications Editor ings; access to all our electronic Women’s Divisions—whose generos- and print publications—and much more. You can also review ity is so important to the College of news and updates that are spe- Medicine. cifically targeted toward alumni, This issue’s cover story, “Einstein & donors, faculty and students. When you visit our website, you’ll India,” describes the thriving collabora- join the more than 3.5 million tions involving Einstein scientists and people who click annually on www.aecom.yu.edu. SCIENCE AT THE HEART OF MEDICINE 3 UPFRONT | COLLEGIAL LIFE A Makeover for Einstein’s Image Einstein’s new identity is rapidly coming into focus. Things got started last fall, when—after nine months of research and analysis—the College of Medicine held a festive “Branding Event” to unveil its new logo (right), which stresses our direct and powerful connection to our namesake, Albert Einstein. On the new logo, we feature the E-shaped segment of the famous DNA double helix, which links the worlds of science and medicine. The logo’s new tagline—“Science at the Heart of Medicine”—captures the enduring values of our institution and reflects everything we do at Einstein. In coming months, the Einstein name will grace the email addresses of ever more College of Medicine faculty and staff, replacing “aecom” so that addresses will read firstname.lastname@ einstein.yu.edu. Similarly, the URL that announces Einstein’s Internet presence to the world is being switched to www.einstein.yu.edu. The new look will also be inte- grated into a “co-branding” strategy now being developed between Einstein and Montefiore Medical Center, the University Hospital and Academic Medical Center for Einstein. With its emphasis on “Einstein,” the new logo serves to closely identify the College of Medicine with Albert Einstein. The words and deeds of this brilliant scientist continue to guide Einstein today, more than a half century after his death. ON THE WEB To learn more about our new identity program, please visit the Branding Zone at http://www.aecom.yu.edu/brandingzone. 4 EINSTEIN : SUMMER/FALL 09 Hope, Anxiety and Joy An E-Zine at Einstein on Match Day The e-magazine Pulse: Voices from the Expectation filled Lubin Dining Hall Heart of Medicine recently celebrated on Thursday, March 19, as this year’s its first anniversary.