October 21-22, 2007
Asia Society and Museum
New York, NY
Doris Duke Clinical Scientist Meetings are traditionally held every other year for all active Medical Research Program grantees. In a departure from this tradition, 44 recipients from the 2006 and 2007 Clinical Scientist Development Award (CSDA) and Distinguished Clinical Scientist Award (DCSA) programs mingled with their colleagues, foundation staff and members of the DDCF Scientific Advisory Council at the Asia Society and Museum in New York City October 21-22, 2007.
The meeting afforded a unique opportunity for clinical scientists from a wide variety of disciplines to meet in a smaller setting that fostered interaction and discussion.
The meeting was structured around three topics at the forefront of clinical research today: genetics, cancer and infectious disease. During each panel, three Clinical Scientist Development Award (CSDA) presenters shared their work, while selected Distinguished Clinical Scientist Awardees and members of the SAC weighed in and led lively discussions.
Slide from talk on human genetics by Helen Hobbs, Scientific Advisory Council member.
For scientists who may not have ready access to their colleagues, like Benjamin Chi (CSDA 2007), who is working to prevent the spread of HIV from pregnant women to their infants in Zambia, and Grant Dorsey (CSDA 2006), who is conducting trials on HIV and malaria in children in Uganda, the meeting was a unique opportunity to meet fellow scientists and discuss their projects. But it was equally valuable to those working stateside.
Grant Dorsey (L) and his research colleagues in Uganda.
“The conference is a wonderful opportunity to network,” said Christopher Breuer (CSDA 2007) who is designing a clinical trial using tissue-engineered blood vessels for pediatric heart patients “A group like this is so enabling.”
The next Clinical Scientist meeting will be held in Newport, Rhode Island October 26-29, 2008 and will celebrate the Medical Research Program’s 10th anniversary of grantmaking.