2010-12-04

The 2010 ASH Mentor Award for clinical investigation will be presented to Mary M. Horowitz, MD, MS, professor of medicine, the Robert A. Uihlein Jr. Chair in Hematologic Research, and interim chief of the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW).

Dr. Horowitz’s work focuses on hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, specifically the analysis of transplant outcomes. She is also the chief scientific director of the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) and heads the Coordinating Center of the U.S. Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network. The careers of many of today’s leaders in the field of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation have been advanced through personal interactions with Dr. Horowitz. She has always made time for junior investigators, championed their projects and involvement with CIBMTR, and created ways for them to mingle as equals with leaders in the field. In fact, Dr. Horowitz has made mentoring new investigators a priority in the CIBMTR. As stated by one of her mentees, “All of us who have had our careers touched by Dr. Horowitz have benefitted from her wisdom, foresight, guidance, and advocacy.”

The award for basic science will go to Harvey F. Lodish, PhD, member of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and professor of biology and professor of bioengineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

As a leader in the field of membrane biology, Dr. Lodish’s work has had important implications for the treatment of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. In his long career at MIT, Dr. Lodish has mentored more than 150 students and postdoctoral fellows. Many of his mentees have gone on to successful academic careers and leadership roles in their fields. Included on this list are one Nobel Laureate, two Lasker Award recipients, and many who have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences and/or the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Lodish is known to provide his trainees with true intellectual freedom, nurturing and guiding them tirelessly. He is described as being highly supportive and patient. As summarized by one of his mentees, “What is really special about Harvey is that he made almost every one of us successful. I think that is truly remarkable.”

The ASH Mentor Award was established in 2006 to recognize hematologists who have excelled at mentoring trainees and colleagues. Those selected to receive the award are chosen because they have shown a sustained commitment to mentoring, have made a significant, positive impact on their trainees’ careers, and have advanced research and patient care in the field of hematology through their trainees and their trainees’ trainees.

Drs. Horowitz and Lodish will be formally presented with their awards tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. in the Orange County Convention Center, Hall D.

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