By Willem Fibbe, MD, PhD
2009-03-01
Dr. Fibbe is the President of EHA. He is also a member of ASH and a former associate editor of Blood.
In 2006, the European Society of Hematology (EHA) and ASH introduced the EHA-ASH Research Exchange Award,
a groundbreaking award for both clinical and laboratory-based
researchers in training or early in their careers. This award offers
them an opportunity to experience research in a different environment
and to establish new collaborations with established scientists from
around the world. We are pleased to announce the 2009 EHA-ASH Research
Exchange Award recipients are Freda Passam, MD, PhD, and Carmen
Schweighofer, MD.
Dr. Passam is currently a research fellow in the Hematology
Department at the University Hospital of Crete, Medical School of Crete
in Greece. Dr. Passam began her hematology training under home mentor,
Michael Alexandrakis, MD. As her mentor, Dr. Alexandrakis supported Dr.
Passam’s basic research project at St. George Hospital in Australia
under the supervision of Steven Krilis, PhD, a world leader in the
antiphospholipid syndrome. As a result of this research experience and
her clinical experience from training in the routine coagulation
laboratory, Dr. Passam developed a strong interest in the field of
hemostasis and thrombosis. Dr. Passam’s eventual goal is to organize a
Thrombosis Section at the University of Crete; however, since the
opportunities for research in hemostasis and thrombosis are limited in
Crete, Dr. Passam will need experience in an international research
center. In July, this award will enable Dr. Passam to take her research
project, “Role of the thiol isomerase ERp5 in thrombus formation,” to
the Research Center of Thrombosis and Hemostasis at the Beth Israel
Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA, to develop under the guidance
of Bruce Furie, MD.
Dr. Carmen Schweighofer comes from the University of Cologne in
Germany. Dr. Schweighofer earned her degree in medicine, graduating
with honors, at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Medical School in
Munich, Germany. She began her residency and fellowship in internal
medicine and hematology/oncology at the University of Cologne under
home mentor Michael Hallek, MD. During her fellowship, Dr. Schweighofer
began serving as a trial investigator within the German CLL Study
Group, where she gained extensive clinical experience and a strong
understanding of clinical and translational needs and challenges. It is
her overall goal to serve as a liaison between basic and clinical
research in CLL, and, therefore, she is motivated to continue to pursue
intensive training in laboratory-based research, specifically
cytogenetic studies. Dr. Schweighofer will be taking her research
project, “Genomic aberrations predict outcome in patient with chronic
lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treated with frontline FCR
chemoimmunotherapy,” to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center under the
mentorship of Lynne Abruzzo, MD, PhD. The host laboratory of Dr.
Abruzzo is focused on molecular cytogenic features of CLL and lymphoma
and offers a unique opportunity for basic research in a scientifically
diverse and clinically well-grounded environment, which will benefit
not only Dr. Schweighofer, but also the University Hospital of
Cologne.
ASH and EHA are pleased to support the research of these promising young investigators through this unique award.
Important Dates for the 2009 EHA-ASH Research Exchange Award
- Letter of Intent Due: May 15, 2009
- Full Proposal Deadline: September 2009
- Notification of Awards: January 2010
- Activation of Awards: July 1, 2010
North American and European hematologists who are beginning their careers are encouraged to apply.
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