Patrick Kennedy Has High Praise for Research at
Gray Matters at Columbia Spring Benefit Luncheon
NEW YORK, NY – On Tuesday, May 3, Congressman Patrick
Kennedy joined Jeffrey A. Lieberman, MD, Chairman of
Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center, and
returning Mistress of Ceremonies Donna Hanover at the Gray
Matters at Columbia Spring Benefit Luncheon at The Plaza
Hotel.
Gray Matters at Columbia is a research fellowship fund that
was launched in 2007 to support brain research in an effort
to help solve the mystery of serious mental illnesses like
schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and autism. More
than 330
guests attended the annual luncheon, which was inspired by a
mother who lost her son to suicide after a long and
difficult struggle with schizophrenia.
Each year the Gray Matters at Columbia Fellowship is awarded
to young scientists exhibiting outstanding performance in
the genetics of brain disorders. The chosen fellows benefit
from the multidisciplinary expertise of a peerless team of
clinicians and scientists that includes two Nobel
laureates. Over fifteen postdoctoral fellows were in
attendance at the event to speak about their research with
guests.
Congressman Kennedy, who co-founded One Mind for Research, a
newly formed national coalition that is seeking new
treatments and cures for neurologic and psychiatric diseases
of the brain, noted that “The best investment that any of us
can make, in our personal lives and in the future of our
country... is unlocking the mysteries of the brain through
investment in brain research..."
Keynote speaker Dr. Lieberman said “the Gray Matters at
Columbia fellows represent our hopes for the future of
psychiatric medicine. We are fortunate and proud to have
them on our team."
The 2010 recipients of Gray Matters at Columbia Fellowships
are Holly Moore, PhD, Alla Landa, PhD, Christoph Kellendonk,
PhD, Susanne Ahmari, MD, PhD, and Catherine Clelland, PhD.
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Columbia University Medical Center
provides international leadership in pre-clinical and
clinical research, in medical and health sciences education,
and in patient care. The medical center trains future
leaders and includes the dedicated work of many physicians,
scientists, nurses, dentists, and public health
professionals at the College of Physicians & Surgeons, the
College of Dental Medicine, the School of Nursing, the
Mailman School of Public Health, the biomedical departments
of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and allied
research centers and institutions. For more information,
please visit
www.cumc.columbia.edu