Loew Chosen as Editor-in-chief of Biophysical Journal

Leslie Loew, director of the R. D. Berlin Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, has been chosen as the new editor-in-chief of Biophysical Journal. It is the premier journal for the field of Biophysics and is published by the Biophysical Society.Loew has previously served on the BJ editorial board as an editor and is currently serving as the associate editor for the biological systems, cellular processes, multicellular dynamics section.

Nominations for editor-in-chief were accepted from society members in 2011. These nominations were reviewed by the publications committee, who interviewed candidates and made their recommendation to the board and council. The board and council approved the committee’s recommendation at their February meeting in San Diego.

Biophysical Journal appears biweekly and publishes over 500 scientific papers a year. Loew, the Boehringer Ingelheim Chair in Cell Sciences, will have a term of five years and will be overseeing an editorial board of about 60 scientists around the world.

Brewer Recognized for Volunteerism

Dr. Molly Brewer, director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology in the Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center, was recognized for her exceptional volunteerism during a fundraising benefit for the Malta House of Care in Hartford last week. The second annual event, “Wonder Women…Women Helping Women,” honored eight women in the region who have helped make Malta House of Care’s mission possible.

Brewer is a nationally recognized gynecologic oncologist. She offers highly personalized care for women with gynecologic malignancies, such as ovarian, uterine and cervical cancer. Dr. Brewer also provides consultations about cancer prevention, particularly ovarian cancer, through the Women’s Cancer Prevention Program.

Since opening the doors to its mobile medical clinic in 2006, the Malta House of Care has provided more than 20,062 free patient consultations. More than 70 physicians, nurses, counselors and administrators voluntarily heal, teach, and assist patients.

Kristof Wins Presidential Poster Award

Dr. Lorand Kristof, a geriatric medicine fellow, won a presidential poster award during the 2012 American Geriatrics Society Annual Scientific Meeting in Seattle earlier this month.

The poster “Experiences of Informal Caregivers of Older Adults Discharged from Nursing Homes to the Community through the Money Follows the Person Demonstration Program” highlighted UConn Center on Aging research conducted by Kristof, Richard Fortinsky Julie Robison, and Courtney Butler.

The research found that caregivers of older adults discharged to the community after a prolonged nursing home stay have less caregiver stress, a lower level of burden and higher levels of positive aspects of caregiving. However, burden and symptoms of depression are significantly higher in caregivers of parents.

Mar Honored for Commitment to Immigrant Rights

Rasy Mar, community education specialist in the School of Medicine’s Community Based Education (CBE) program, was honored for her hard work and commitment to immigrant rights. Mar was among 17 people honored at a ceremony held last month at the State Capitol by the Connecticut Immigrant and Refugee Coalition. Gov. Dannel Malloy and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal were among those who recognized the honorees during the event.The Coalition is a network or community agencies, religious groups, legal service providers, and immigrant rights activists committed to protecting the rights and welfare of refugee and immigrant communities.

UConn’s CBE program affords students the opportunity to acquire a broader view of their role in the profession of medicine. The CBE curriculum partners with community organizations throughout the state to provide educational activities in a community learning environment.