Beaches now open at Holiday Shores

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Lifeguards providing coverage every day

All three beaches in Holiday Shores have passed inspection and are now open and ready for residents to enjoy all the outdoor lakeside activities.

Five lifeguards have been hired to provide coverage daily from 11 a.m. until dusk at Votruba Beach, the largest of the three beaches within the community. The other two smaller beaches, Tamarach and Cedar Beach, do not have lifeguards present.

Lifeguards for the 2013 swimming season are: Sarah Antoff, Marcia Quinn Gaddy, Kenlea Herndon, Calen Lacy and Todd Walkington.

Association Manager Glenn Dalton said, All but one lifeguard returned this year. We always have a good history with our guards. We have a very good crew. A lot of our guards are college students. The thing that people need to understand, is the lifeguards are there for their safety."

"If a lifeguard wants you to do something, please do it, Dalton said.

Each lifeguard is Red Cross certified and equipped with whistle, a cell phone provided by the Holishor Association and a walkie-talkie radio which allows a guard to contact the on duty Holiday Shores public safety officer. A first aid kit is also nearby.

Lifeguards are instructed to contact public safety officers if there is a discipline situation.

Whenever there is a lifeguard on duty a public safety officer is on duty, Dalton said. My lifeguards focus is the water. They are there to lifeguard not to discipline people.

Lifeguards clean off the swim platform located in the cordoned off area for swimming at Votruba Beach before each shift. Diving is allowed from the front side of the platform only. A regulation volleyball net is also set up on the beach and residents are encouraged to bring a volleyball.

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Beaches now open at Holiday Shores

13 Quincy beaches reopen; four in Braintree, Hingham still closed

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No sooner than they were closed because of bacteria contamination, all 17 Quincy beaches have passed water quality tests and will be open in time for the first weekend of summer. One beach in Braintree and three in Hingham remain closed.

In nQuincy, bacteria levels at Merrymount, Avalon, Mound and Chickatabut beaches were 10 to 20 times the maximum considered safe.

The water was retested on Thursday and the posting was removed on Friday.

The news isn't as good in two other towns.

Smith Beach in Braintree has been closed since June 13. The bacteria level is almost nine times the limit. Also closed are Kimball, North and Seal Cove beaches in Hingham.

Bacteria levels frequently spike following heavy rains, and the South Shore has had a series of storms over the past 10 days.

See water quality test results for each community and for Cape Cod, the South Coast and North Shore.

For more on Quincy beaches, call 617-376-1288, or visit tinyurl.com/ledger-quincy-beaches. For more on Wollaston Beach, call 617-626-4972.

Seventy-five salt water beaches on the South Shore are tested for enterococci, intestinal bacteria found in humans and animals.

High levels of enterococci indicate the waters may also contain other disease-causing microbes that are present in sewage but are more difficult to detect. Bacterial colonies are filtered from three ounces of water and placed on a gel infused with nutrients and chemicals designed to promote growth.

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13 Quincy beaches reopen; four in Braintree, Hingham still closed

How Hurricane Sandy Brought 21st Century Design to NYC’s Beaches

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When Hurricane Sandy tore apart the New York City coastline last fall, it was hard to imagine that only six months later it would be business as (almost) usual at the beach. The storm devastated 14 miles of coast, leaving behind mounds of debris and the tattered shells of old boardwalks. The city responded with a hyper-fast, $270 million restoration of its eight public swimming beaches. Sand was replaced, new access points were created and protective barriers were constructed. And while the project addressed a lot of logistical and safety issues, it was also a chance for New York City to totally reinvent the coastlines appearance.

Beaches like the Rockaways and Coney Island have long been charming throwbacks to a bygone era with vintage roller coasters and quaint shops, but the new vision will very much bring the New York City coastline into the 21st century. The project began with replacing the old damaged service buildings with 35 new modular pods that contain comfort stations, lifeguard stations and offices. Designed by Garrison Architects, the pre-fabricated, solar-powered buildings are sleek, modern and FEMA-approved, with stilts elevating them above storm-surge levels. In addition to the pods, four brightly colored concrete islands, designed by Sage & Coombe Architects, have been constructed at the Rockaways boardwalk junctures that will provide restrooms and seating areas.

Ramps and stairs lead up to stilted "pods." Image: Garrison Architects

A completed "island" at Rockaway Beach. Photo: Pentagram

A rendering of one of Sage & Coombe's islands. The exterior is painted with an abstracted map of the shoreline. Image: Sage & Coombe Architects

A rendering of an island at 106th Street. Image: Sage & Coombe Architects

Pentagram designed a full range of signage types. Image: Pentagram

The main welcome sign features a photo of the beach. Photo: Pentagram

Each sign features a photo of the beach post-Sandy. Image: Pentagram

Redesigned regulation signs are located at lifeguard stations. Image: Pentagram

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How Hurricane Sandy Brought 21st Century Design to NYC's Beaches

Richardson earns doctorate in astrophysics/astronomy

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CHARLESTON Local graduate Chris Richardson recently obtained his doctorate in astrophysics/astronomy from Michigan State University after successfully defending his dissertation on plasma simulations in astrophysical environments.

During his graduate studies, he was under the direction of professor Jack Baldwin.

Richardson has participated in research in Munich, Germany; London, England; Anchorage, Alaska; and Santa Barbara, Calif.

In addition, he has given informational lectures in Boulder, Colo. and Lexington, Ky.

He also has won numerous graduate awards during his studies at Michigan State University. Richardson has numerous publications regarding his area of expertise.

While attending Eastern Illinois University, Richardson won numerous awards from the Department of Physics.

Richardson also was named to the EIU deans list and the top 100 sophomores, and he received numerous scholarships due to his academic excellence.

He completed a research program at Indiana State University under the direction of professor James Musser, with the focus of developing more efficient merging algorithm for the simulation of the Cosmic Ray Electron Synchrotron telescope detector.

Richardson has accepted a position as an associate professor at Elon University in Elon, N.C..

He is the son of Sheri (Richardson) Paul of Charleston and of David Paul, and the grandson of Joyce Shull and the late Daniel Shull of Mattoon.

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Richardson earns doctorate in astrophysics/astronomy

Global Aerospace Market

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The global aerospace industry is worth $170 billion, according to the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. The industry involves the manufacture of defense goods, including information systems, watercraft, aircraft and weaponry. It is a highly concentrated market that sells mainly to governments who require products for military purposes or spacecraft for federal space programs.

Aerospace manufacturing demand is driven by military budgets, the possibility of international warfare and airline traffic. The main success factors for companies in the industry are strong technical expertise and wise pricing of long-term contracts. Companies remain competitive by collaborating with partners and keeping costs down. Aerospace and defense manufacturing companies must collaborate with governments to remain compliant regarding regulations

In most industrial countries, the aerospace industry is a cooperation of public and private industries. For example, several countries have a civilian space program funded by the government through tax collection, such as NASA in the United States, ESA in Europe, the Canadian Space Agency in Canada, Indian Space Research Organisation in India, JAXA in Japan, RKA in Russia, China National Space Administration in China, SUPARCO in Pakistan, Iranian Space Agency in Iran, and Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) in South Korea.

Along with these public space programs, many companies produce technical tools and components such as spaceships and satellites. Some known companies involved in space programs include Boeing, EADS, Lockheed Martin, MacDonald Dettwiler and Northrop Grumman. These companies are also involved in other areas of aerospace such as the construction of aircraft.

Aerospace manufacturing is a high technology industry that produces "aircraft, guided missiles, space vehicles, aircraft engines, propulsion units, and related parts". Most of the industry is geared toward governmental work. For each Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), the US government has assigned a CAGE code. These codes help to identify each manufacturer, repair facilities, and other critical aftermarket vendors in the aerospace industry.

Airlines are delivering weak profits in difficult times. In 2012, the industry made an aggregate profit of $7.6 billion. On revenues of $638 billion, that's a 1.2% net profit margin. That airlines made any money at all with GDP growth at 2.1% and oil averaging a record high of $111.8 a barrel (Brent) was a major achievement. To put that into perspective, in 2003 the industry was in the red, with oil at less than $30 a barrel and economic growth at 2.8%. Profitability is being delivered as a result of efficiency gains and improvements to the industry's structure. One illustration of this is that the average passenger load factor has increased by some eight percentage points over the last decade.

Of the three largest markets that together constitute 83% of global traffic, Asia-Pacific airlines continued to deliver the highest margins and largest profits, albeit profits that were lower than in 2011 because of the weakness of air freight. North American airlines generated the second-largest profits and improved their performance as a result of the efficiencies resulting from consolidation. European airlines only just broke even, largely as a result of the continued recession in the Eurozone.

During 2012, 65% of the growth in passenger numbers in international markets took place in markets linked to emerging economies. Travel within Asia accounted for just over half of this growth. Other important growth markets were between Europe and Asia and on segments connecting Europe and Asia via the Middle East. Markets from Africa to the Middle East and to Asia were also strong, reflecting the development of new South-South trade lanes. Another 23% of 2012's international air travel growth was generated within Europe, which looks odd given the severe recessions in many Eurozone economies. It should be noted that the European growth statistics include passengers originating in Russia, in central and Eastern Europe, and in Turkey, where growth remained considerably stronger than in the Eurozone.

Due to the high cost of specialized materials and intensive technological innovation necessary in the aerospace and defense industry, manufacturers need to bring down costs, boost productivity and cut the time it takes to get products to the market. The industry is becoming increasingly competitive on an international scale and is being hit by economic factors, which see governments trying to cut budgets, including defense spending. Mergers and acquisitions are an attractive option for companies seeking to become more competitive. Collaboration can help partnering companies speed up delivery of innovative products, while keeping the total cost of ownership down.

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Global Aerospace Market

IHS Jane’s Aerospace & Defense Site ‘First Stop Destination’ for Industry

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LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

IHS Inc. (IHS), the leading global source of information and analytics, today launched a new free-to-view site specifically designed for the Aerospace and Defense community.

IHSJanes360.com features:

IHS Janes 360 will demonstrate the very best of what IHS Aerospace and Defence offers, making this site the first-stop destination for all defence and security professionals worldwide, said Senior Vice President for Aerospace, Defense & Maritime Michael Dell.

The site is part of a company-wide strategy to highlight, through free content sites, how IHS analysis can help customers grow their businesses. Later this year, IHS will also launch two additional 360 sites supporting the Airports and Maritime sectors.

About IHS Aerospace and Defence: IHS Aerospace and Defence provides professionals with timely and accurate data, analysis and forecasts to support and enhance the complete A&D lifecycle, from program conception and procurement to retirement. For more information about our A&D products and services go to: http://www.ihs.com/products/janes/index.aspx

About IHS (www.ihs.com)

IHS (IHS) is the leading source of information, insight and analytics in critical areas that shape today's business landscape. Businesses and governments in more than 165 countries around the globe rely on the comprehensive content, expert independent analysis and flexible delivery methods of IHS to make high-impact decisions and develop strategies with speed and confidence. IHS has been in business since 1959 and became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 2005. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, USA, IHS is committed to sustainable, profitable growth and employs 6,700 people in 31 countries around the world.

IHS is a registered trademark of IHS Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright 2013 IHS Inc. All rights reserved.

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IHS Jane's Aerospace & Defense Site ‘First Stop Destination’ for Industry

Charleston, S.C. Emerges as Global Aerospace Hub

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CHARLESTON, S.C., June 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --South Carolina's aerospace industry was the fastest growing in the nation between 2007 and 2012, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, thanks in large part to the 787 Dreamliner assembly plant that Boeing opened in North Charleston in 2009, which now employs 6,700 workers. The state's aerospace industry grew by more than 600% within the five-year period.

The juggernaut shows no signs of slowing with recent announcements that Boeing will invest another $1 billion over the next five years and create 2,000 new jobs to establish an engineering design center and 737 MAX propulsion operation in the Charleston region.

"Charleston was really in the spotlight at last week's Paris Air Show," said David Ginn, President and CEO of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, who was part of the South Carolina delegation that travelled to the world's biggest aerospace show to attract more investment to the Palmetto State.

"With the buzz about Boeing's expanded footprint in Charleston, suppliers and other global aviation companies were all ears to learn more about what our state has to offer."

The Charleston region is home to approximately 70 aerospace and aviation-related businesses, including big names like Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems and Booz Allen Hamilton. Smaller, specialized firms supply everything from gears and hoses to computer systems.

With a rich military history, Charleston is also home to several aerospace-related military organizations, such as Joint Base Charleston and the Space & Naval Warfare Systems (SPAWAR). Charleston's commercial aviation sector, however, is rapidly developinggrowing from 9% of aviation sector employment in 2007 to nearly half, at 49% today.

One of the biggest draws for aerospace companies has been the availability of high-quality workforce training and education systems. For example, Ready SC, the state's highly regarded workforce training program, played an integral role in gearing up Boeing's South Carolina workforce. Local colleges such as Trident Technical College's Aeronautical Studies Division and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, offer a practical education for aspiring aerospace experts.

Located midway between New York and Miami, the Port of Charleston also offers a strong asset for global aerospace companies, boasting the deepest harbor in the South Atlantic and can accommodate large, post-Panamax ships to accept and transport goods.

Media contact: Jordan Robinson, jordan.robinson@aboutdci.com, 254-631-5517

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Charleston, S.C. Emerges as Global Aerospace Hub

MBL Microbial Diversity course to receive ‘Milestones in Microbiology Site’ designation

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Public release date: 20-Jun-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Diana Kenney dkenney@mbl.edu 508-289-7139 Marine Biological Laboratory

WOODS HOLE, Mass.The MBL Microbial Diversity course is being honored as a "Milestones in Microbiology Site" by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM).

"Milestones in Microbiology" recognizes places where major developments in microbiology occurred and/or where outstanding microbiologists made seminal discoveries.

The course will receive the "Milestones in Microbiology Site" designation on Saturday, June 22, at 4:30 PM in the MBL Club, 100 Water Street, following the Microbial Diversity Course Symposium, which is from 9 AM to 4 PM in Redfield Auditorium.

"The MBL Microbial Diversity course has trained many outstanding microbiologists from around the world, providing scientific tools that they have used to make many important discoveries," says Stanley Maloy, a past president of ASM. "MBL has been a major place where scientists have gathered (mostly over the summer) to discuss and do research on marine biology, ecology, and developmentand microbiology has influenced and been influenced by each of these areas. MBL, including the Microbial Diversity course, has had an important impact on our understanding of the critical role that microbes play in the environment, from the characterization of microbes that use unusual sources of nutrients to the discovery of microbes that live in unique ecosystems in the depths of the ocean."

The Microbial Diversity course was founded at the MBL in 1971. At the time, the MBL offered several summer courses focused on biological research, all taught by leading scientists from around the world, but it had no course in microbiology. Several prominent microbiologists at the MBL and at its neighboring organization, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), participated in the establishment of the Microbial Diversity course and its subsequent flourishing. Yet one can point to four key scientists whose contributions were essential.

The first was Holger Jannasch of WHOI, a scientific grandfather for the field of microbial ecology. At the invitation of MBL leadership, Jannasch initiated the Microbial Diversity course (then called Marine Ecology) at the MBL and gathered an elite group of instructors for the first session. The course was an instant success.

The next two scientists who were vital to the course's success were Selman and Byron Waksman. Selman had been a microbiologist and trustee at WHOI, and he recognized the importance of the Microbial Diversity Course. At a key time when it might have ended due to lack of funding, he stepped forward to offer support from the Waksman Foundation for Microbiology, which he had founded a year before his 1952 receipt of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. After Selman's death, his son, Byron, helped to realize the foundation's support of the course.

The fourth key scientist was Harlyn Halvorson, who succeeded Jannasch as the course's director in 1981. Halverson had been introduced to the MBL by his father, H. Orin Halvorson, a noted microbiologist. Harlyn continued Jannasch's course model of collecting a group of internationally recognized microbiologists to serve as course faculty. He also secured continued financial support for the course through a variety of granting agencies. (Halverson later served as MBL director from 1987 to 1991.)

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MBL Microbial Diversity course to receive 'Milestones in Microbiology Site' designation

The American Society for Microbiology honors Ken Cadwell

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Public release date: 20-Jun-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Garth Hogan ghogan@asmusa.org 202-942-9389 American Society for Microbiology

Washington, D.C. June 18, 2013 Ken Cadwell, Ph.D., New York University School of Medicine, has been given a 2013 ICAAC Young Investigator Award for his exceptional work in the fields of infectious diseases and pathogenesis. His nominator, Heran Darwin, notes that Cadwell's findings have already had a "profound impact on the fields of infectious disease and immunity."

Cadwell received his undergraduate degree in Biology, with Honors, from Northwestern University. He then joined the laboratory of Laurent Coscoy in the Department of Molecular Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley where he received his Ph.D. Coscoy describes Cadwell as an exceptional scientist and quick learner who has a "real passion for science and a genuine concern for his peers." As part of his dissertation research, he identified a novel type of protein modification catalyzed by the Kaposi's Sarcoma Herpesvirus. Following the completion of his Ph.D., he joined the laboratory of Herbert "Skip" Virgin at Washington University School of Medicine where he received an esteemed postdoctoral fellowship from the Damon Runyon Cancer Foundation to investigate how aberrant host-pathogen interactions lead to inflammatory disease.

As part of his postdoctoral research, he generated and characterized mice with a mutation in Atg16L1, a gene that is linked to inflammatory bowel disease and essential for the cellular pathway of autophagy. He found that these mice developed intestinal pathologies similar to the human disorder, but only upon infection with a norovirus. Virgin calls this discovery a "new paradigm for understanding how complex inflammatory diseases can be induced in a combinatorial fashion." In recognition of this finding, he received the Dale F. Frey Award for Breakthrough Scientists, which is awarded by the Damon Runyon Foundation for individuals with great potential.

In 2010, he joined the Department of Microbiology at New York University School of Medicine as a faculty member of the prestigious Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine. Using the tools that he previously established, he is continuing to examine the role of Atg16L1 and autophagy in immune responses to pathogens. In addition to examining the mechanism by which a virus triggers intestinal disease, he is also investigating how autophagy deficiency alters resistance to bacterial infections. He is especially interested in revealing new roles for autophagy during inflammation that can be exploited for improving treatment of infectious and immunological disease.

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The ICAAC Young Investigator Award will be presented during ASM's 53rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), September 10-13, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. ASM is the world's oldest and largest life science organization and has more than 40,000 members worldwide. ASM's mission is to advance the microbiological sciences and promote the use of scientific knowledge for improved health, economic, and environmental well-being.

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

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The American Society for Microbiology honors Ken Cadwell

The American Society for Microbiology honors George L. Drusano

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Public release date: 20-Jun-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Garth Hogan ghogan@asmusa.org 202-942-9389 American Society for Microbiology

The winner of the esteemed Cubist-ICAAC Award is George L. Drusano, M.D., Institute for Therapeutic Innovation of the University of Florida, for his application of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling to antiviral and antimicrobial drug development. According to his nominator, Michael Dudley, Rempex Pharmaceuticals, "Drusano and his colleagues have published groundbreaking work using pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics to simulate and then validate dosing regimens to maximize the safety and efficacy of antibiotics. The breadth and importance of his work is remarkable."

After graduating magna cum laude, from the Honors Program at Boston College, Drusano received his M.D. from the University of Maryland School of Medicine where he graduated cum laude, . He completed his medical internship and residency at the University of Maryland Hospital, where he was Chief Resident and also a Fellow in Medicine in Infectious Diseases.

Drusano, a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), is an active reviewer and has served as editor of the section of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics for Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy for 10 years. Currently he is an Editor for mBio. He has authored over 290 articles.

Also an active volunteer, Drusano was a member of the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapeutics (ICAAC) Program Committee and the IDSA Program Committee. He has served on multiple National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Review Groups and as an ad hoc member of NIAID Council on two occasions to support issues regarding emergence of bacterial resistance. He also serves as a consultant to NIAID and CDC on Biodefense issues. Drusano has been a member of the Subcommittee on Guidelines for Bacteremia and Endocarditis of the Antimicrobial Agents Use Committee, a joint effort of the IDSA and the Food and Drug Administration. In 2010, he was Chair of the Gordon Conference on New Antimicrobial Discovery and Development. He has won a number of awards, including being named Distinguished Investigator of the Year (2003) by the American College of Clinical Pharmacology. Most recently, he was named recipient of the Maxwell Finland Award for Scientific Achievement for 2012 from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

An active researcher, Drusano has focused on mathematical modeling and the pharmacodynamics of anti-infective chemotherapy, especially the pharmacodynamics of fluoroquinolone antimicrobials, anti-tuberculosis agents, multiple anti-viral agents and the therapy of biodefense pathogens. Paul G. Ambrose, Institute for Clinical Pharmacodynamics, says, "Drusano is a distinguished scholar and scientist who pioneered work in anti-infective pharmacology and antimicrobial resistance, and helped redefine infectious disease chemotherapy as we know it today."

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The Cubist-ICAAC Award will be presented during ASM's 53rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), September 10-13, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. ASM is the world's oldest and largest life science organization and has more than 40,000 members worldwide. ASM's mission is to advance the microbiological sciences and promote the use of scientific knowledge for improved health, economic, and environmental well-being.

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The American Society for Microbiology honors George L. Drusano

The American Society for Microbiology honors Baligh Yehia

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Public release date: 20-Jun-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Garth Hogan ghogan@asmusa.org 202-942-9389 American Society for Microbiology

Baligh Yehia, M.D., M.P.P., M.S.H.P., Department of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP), has received a 2013 ICAAC Young Investigator Award for his innovative work and leadership in the field of HIV health services and quality research. His teaching and scholarship focus on health outcomes of individuals living with chronic viral diseases and policies that affect those outcomes.

Yehia received his undergraduate and medical degrees with honors from the University of Florida, where he was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society, and the Gold Humanism Honor Society, for his excellence in clinical care, leadership, compassion, and dedication to service. After medical school, he completed an internal medicine residency on the Osler Medical Service at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, followed by a fellowship in infectious diseases at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. During his fellowship, he was award the Robert Austrian Award for his scholastic excellence and leadership. Yehia also holds a Master of Science in Health Policy Research from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master in Public Policy from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. Nominator, Ebbing Lautenbach, University of Pennsylvania, says, "Yehia has an exceptional academic background and possesses a unique skill set which blends clinical medicine, health behavior research, and public policy. These tools have allowed him to cross disciplines and pursue innovative ideas."

Through his active research on how health care delivery is organized, he has contributed to the development of policy on healthcare reform, access to medical care, performance measurement, and public health. Kelly Gebo, Johns Hopkins University, goes on to explain, Yehia "described the organization of care in HIV clinics to determine areas for improvement; evaluated inpatient utilization to identify modifiable factors for reducing hospitalization rates; and examined antiretroviral medication errors in an effort to prevent adverse drug events and improve patient safety." Yehia's scholastic achievements were recognized by a career development award from the NIH/NIMH to study the relationship between retention in care and clinical HIV outcomes and to identify health system and patient factors influencing retention in care, a special citation for fellows-in-training from the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and was inducted into the University of Florida Hall of Fame.

In addition to being an outstanding researcher, he is also an active volunteer. He currently serves on the Clinical Affairs Committee of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and is a member of the American Medical Association GLBT Advisory Committee. He is past National Chair of the American College of Physicians Council of Associates and past National Chair of the American Medical Association Resident and Fellow Section. He has served on the American Medical Association Council on Medical Education, American College of Physicians Board of Regents, and on the Maryland State Medical Society Board of Trustees. His leadership has been recognized by national, state, and local organizations.

He resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he maintains an active research program and cares for patients at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases; and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.

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The ICAAC Young Investigator Award will be presented during ASM's 53rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), September 10-13, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. ASM is the world's oldest and largest life science organization and has more than 40,000 members worldwide. ASM's mission is to advance the microbiological sciences and promote the use of scientific knowledge for improved health, economic, and environmental well-being.

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The American Society for Microbiology honors Baligh Yehia

The American Society for Microbiology honors Frank Leo van de Veerdonk

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Public release date: 20-Jun-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Garth Hogan ghogan@asmusa.org 202-942-9389 American Society for Microbiology

Washington, D.C. June 18, 2013 Frank Leo van de Veerdonk, M.D., Ph.D., Nijmegen Medical Centre Radboud University (RUNMC) and Nijmegen Institute for Infection, Inflammation and Immunity (N4i), has received a 2013 ICAAC Young Investigator Award for his work in the field of fungal immunology. Charles Dinarello, University of Colorado, says, "I see Frank as one of the new generation of innovative thinkers in the field of cytokine biology, particularly as it applies to infection."

Van de Veerdonk earned his medical degree in 2001 from the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. He started as a resident in Internal Medicine at Jeroen Bosch Hospital in s' Hertogenbosch under the supervision of Paetrick Netten. In 2006, he continued his training in Internal Medicine at Radboud University in Nijmegen where he was supervised by Jos van der Meer. He began his Ph.D. in 2007, and under the supervision of Mihai Netea, he studied pattern recognition receptors and pathogen associated molecular patterns of Candida albicans and Candida-specific innate and adaptive immune responses. During this time new insights in Th17 biology were discovered and van de Veerdonk found that mutations in STAT1 that lead to gain of function are responsible for autosomal dominant chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. Mihai Netea, Radboud University Nijmegen, considers this discovery, "a major breakthrough in the diagnosis of immunodeficiencies with fungal infections."

While completing his Ph.D., he worked at St. Jude's Children Research Hospital in the laboratory of Thirumala Kanneganti, where he studied the role of the inflammasome in invasive candidiasis. After receiving a Niels Stensen Stipend in 2010, he went to the University of Colorado to study the role of the new interleukin-1 (IL 1) family members IL-36, IL-37 and IL-38 under the supervision of Charles Dinarello. Dinarello considers van de Veerdonk "a gifted physician/scientist who always has his eye focused on what we can learn from patients." While van de Veerdonk was at the University of Colorado, he discovered that IL-38 binds to the IL-36R and acts similar to IL-36Ra on immune cells. After returning to Nijmegen he finished his Ph.D. and graduated cum laude from Radboud University.

In 2011 van de Veerdonk completed his fellowship in infectious diseases. Then in 2012 he became a faculty member at Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre where he works as an internist-infectious diseases specialist. He received a grant from the Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences (NCMLS) and a Veni grant from Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO) to build his own research group in the laboratory of Mihai Netea and Leo Joosten. Van de Veerdonk is focusing his research on the host defense against Aspergillus and the functional biology of the new IL 1 family members IL-36, IL-37 and IL-38.

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The ICAAC Young Investigator Award will be presented during ASM's 53rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), September 10-13, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. ASM is the world's oldest and largest life science organization and has more than 40,000 members worldwide. ASM's mission is to advance the microbiological sciences and promote the use of scientific knowledge for improved health, economic, and environmental well-being.

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

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The American Society for Microbiology honors Frank Leo van de Veerdonk