Abbott Scholar Award in Rheumatology Given to Promising Researchers
27 Febbraio 2004 - 4:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
Abbott Scholar Award in Rheumatology Given to Promising Researchers
ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Feb. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Three
promising scientists have been named as the latest recipients of
the Abbott Scholar Award in Rheumatology Research, a mentored
research award to help aid physicians as they embark on their
careers in academic rheumatology. The Abbott Scholar award provides
funding to researchers in the early stages of their careers to
promote career development and encourage continued research in
rheumatology. The award supports basic and translational research
related to rheumatic diseases, including epidemiology, health
services research in arthritis and related autoimmune diseases, and
innovative clinical research. The award grants recipients a
fellowship of up to three years to support their continued
research. "The Abbott Scholar award provides the support that young
researchers need to continue exploring scientific avenues that one
day may lead to innovations in the way we treat rheumatic
diseases," said John Varga, M.D., chairman of the Abbott Scholar
Award Advisory Board, and professor of medicine at the University
of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. "Today we face a
shortage of rheumatologists, so we need to encourage investigators
whose work stands to potentially benefit so many people." Following
are the recipients of this year's Abbott Scholar award: James W.
Verbsky, M.D., Ph.D. Fellow in Pediatric Rheumatology/Immunology
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis Project title:
"Characterization of CD46 Generated T Regulatory Cells" Dr. Verbsky
is studying T regulatory cells, which help turn off immune
responses, in the hope to better characterize them and understand
how they regulate immune responses. Additionally, he is studying
children who develop autoimmune diseases to determine if they have
a deficiency or inability to correctly produce these cells. Tuhina
Neogi, M.D., FRCPC Post-Doctoral Rheumatology Research Fellow in
the Clinical Epidemiology Research and Training Unit Boston
University School of Medicine, Boston Project title: "Vitamin K,
Osteoarthritis and Chondrocalcinosis" Dr. Neogi is researching
whether low vitamin K status, assessed by dietary intake and blood
vessels, is associated with osteoarthritis and chondrocalcinosis,
as determined by x-ray findings. If such an association is found,
clinical trials could test the effects of correcting vitamin K
levelson these diseases. Just as calcium and vitamin D are used to
help prevent and treat osteoporosis, vitamin K would be a simple
dietary supplement to help prevent and treat two common forms of
arthritis, osteoarthritis and pseudogout. Sandeep K. Agarwal, M.D.,
Ph.D. Clinical and Research Fellow of Rheumatology Brigham and
Women's Hospital, Boston Project title: "Role of Synoviocyte
Cadherin-11 in Inflammatory Arthritis" Dr. Agarwal is researching a
novel adhesion molecule in the synovial membrane called
Cadherin-11. This molecule allows specific cells to adhere to each
other and has previously been demonstrated to be critical in
allowing cells to migrate and invade other tissues. Dr. Agarwal
would like to better understand the role of Cadherin-11 in the
formation of the synovial membrane and its role in inflammatory
arthritis. "This award means a great deal to me, and it shows the
pharmaceutical industry supports research in the public sector,"
Dr. Verbsky, said. "I feel this is an exciting time in rheumatology
research with many new developments on the horizon. Until now the
scientific community has had a poor understanding of rheumatic
disease, and grants such as this will improve our understanding of
rheumatic disease and hopefully improve the care of patients
suffering from these diseases." "The Abbott Scholar Award
represents Abbott Immunology's commitment to improving treatment
for patients with rheumatic conditions," said Tim Walbert,
divisional vice president and general manager, Abbott Immunology.
"Abbott understands that improved patient care first begins with
physicians allowed to further study their hypotheses. This award
honors that dedication." Award recipients are selected by an
independent advisory panel of 12 clinical and research experts in
rheumatology. To qualify for the award, candidates needed to
demonstrate a commitment to a career in academic rheumatology, a
plan for career development and a commitment of support from their
mentor and their institution. In addition, candidates must have
agreed to devote at least 80 percent of their time to research and
training. Upcoming Application Deadlines As part of its long-term
commitment to the research and treatmentof immunologic diseases,
Abbott is seeking applicants for the next grant cycle of the Abbott
Scholar Award. The next application submission deadline is
September 15, 2004. Three award recipients will be selected each
year to receive a fellowship starting at $65,000 per year for up to
three years. More information on the Abbott Scholar award is
available at http://www.abbottscholar.com/ or by calling (201)
553-8859. Abbott's Commitment to Immunology Abbott is focused on
the discovery and development of innovative treatments for
immunologic diseases, like RA. The Abbott Bioresearch Center,
founded in 1989 in Worcester, Mass., U.S., is a world-class
discovery and basic research facility committed to finding new
treatments for autoimmune diseases. Abbott Laboratories is a
global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery,
development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals,
nutritionals and medical products, including devices and
diagnostics. The company employs more than70,000 people and markets
its products in more than 130 countries. Abbott's news releases and
other information are available on the company's Web site at
http://www.abbott.com/ . DATASOURCE: Abbott Laboratories CONTACT:
Media, Kelly Morrison, +1-847-937-3802, or Geoff Curtis,
+1-847-935-8975, or Financial Community, John Thomas,
+1-847-938-2655 Web site: http://www.abbottscholar.com/
http://www.abbott.com/ Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/110328.html
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