Two Hematologists Named to Direct NIDDK and NCCR

April 4, 2007 – ASH is extremely pleased to note the naming of two outstanding hematologists, Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers and Dr. Barbara Alving, as respective Directors of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR). Dr. Rodgers and Dr. Alving, both of whom had been serving as Acting Directors at NIDDK and NCCR, are long-standing members of ASH and have each made major contributions to the field of hematology.

Dr. Rodgers has made significant contributions in the areas of genetic diseases (sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and red cell enzymopathies), molecular genetics of human hemoglobins, and hematopoiesis. He has been frequently published in the Society’s journal, Blood, and has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 1998 Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Foundation Award, the 2000 Arthur S. Fleming Award, the Legacy of Leadership Award in 2002 and a Mastership from the American College of Physicians in 2005. In addition to his scientific achievements, Dr. Rodgers provided critical support to the development of the ASH-AMFDP partnership, the goal of which is to increase the number of scholars belonging to under-represented minority populations for academic and research areas in hematology.

NIH announcement of Dr. Rodgers’ appointment as NIDDK Director

Dr. Alving’s research career has taken her from the Division of Blood and Blood Products at the FDA to the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, where she served as the Chief of the Department of Hematology and Vascular Biology. More recently, she directed the Division of Blood Diseases and Resources at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), and later served as both Deputy Director and Acting Director at NHLBI. Dr. Alving has been frequently honored for her scientific contribution and is a recipient of the ASH award for outstanding service, a Commendable Service Award from the FDA for her work on hypotensive agents in albumin products, and the U.S. Legion of Merit, awarded by the U.S. Army for work that improved the care of soldiers in combat.

NIH announcement of Dr. Alving’s appointment as NCCR Director

The Society looks forward to the continued leadership of Dr. Rodgers at NIDDK and Dr. Alving at NCCR and to continuing to work with them on issues impacting hematology research.