Starzl, Tribune-Review reporters claim Carnegie Science Awards - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

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Starzl, Tribune-Review reporters claim Carnegie Science Awards

By Mike Cronin PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, January 29, 2010

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Organ transplantation took center stage in Thursday's announcements of the 2010 Carnegie Science Awards, which recognize achievements in science and technology and help support exhibits and educational programs at the Carnegie Science Center. Transplant pioneer Dr. Thomas Starzl, known as the "father of transplantation," received the Chairman's Award for making organ transplantation a clinical reality through the development of immunosuppression therapies. Starzl, who performed his first successful liver transplant in 1967, was the 2004 winner of the National Medal of Science.

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Tribune-Review reporters Luis Fabregas and Andrew Conte earned the Analysis & Reporting Science News Award for their 2008 report "Transplanting too Soon" Road Work and subsequent stories that "raised questions about Middle East Reports the United States' liver transplantation protocol and Photo Galleries market," the award committee said.
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About the writer Mike Cronin is a Pittsburgh TribuneReview staff writer and can be reached at 412-320-7884 or via e-mail. Ways to get us Be a Facebook fan Follow us on Twitter E-mail Newsletters On your mobile

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Bob Fryer, the Trib's managing editor who oversaw the project, called the work done by Fabregas and Conte "monumental." "The series laid the groundwork for change in the liver transplant community," Fryer said. "Across the board, hospitals that had been doing high volumes of low-MELD transplants shrunk their numbers. In addition, the United Network for Organ Sharing revised its guidelines on how and when such transplants should be performed, a recognition that the series provided necessary information to policymakers in their quest for better medicine." Fabregas said the national attention the stories garnered shows the issues he and Conte delved into were "relevant and real." "Just because someone tells you that you need a liver transplant, it doesn't mean you have to go for it," Fabregas said. "Peer-reviewed research showed that some people have better odds of surviving if they wait for a liver transplant." Conte said the best part about the story is that it brought about "palpable change."

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"After this story appeared, we heard from many patients who said they were unaware about their transplant options, or the way that organs are awarded and patients are selected for surgery," he said. Starzl, a retired University of Pittsburgh Medical Center surgeon, was interviewed by Fabregas and Conte in their stories. Starzl warned more than a decade ago

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Starzl, Tribune-Review reporters claim Carnegie Science Awards - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

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against transplanting livers into patients who aren't sick enough to benefit from such surgery. "It is undoubtedly true that there are transplants being done that shouldn't be done," he told the Trib. Center officials established the awards in 1997 and this year conferred 19 awards and 11 honorable mentions. Starzl became the first individual winner of the Carnegie Science Chairman's Award, which until this year went to an organization. "It's a wonderful surprise," Starzl said. "It made my day -- and my year, to date." The award recognizes outstanding contributions in science, engineering and technology in Western Pennsylvania. "Pittsburgh has exported Dr. Starzl's organ-transplant technologies throughout the world," said Ann Metzger, an award committee member. "Many people don't remember when Pittsburgh wasn't the organ-transplant capital of the world," said Ronald J. Baillie, a committee member and co-director with Metzger of the center. Many award recipients said during a ceremony and luncheon at the North Shore science center that they were humbled by winning and by being honored along with luminaries such as Starzl. "I'm very honored to be chosen; I love what I do," said Bryan Brown, a graduate student studying for a doctorate in bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh. His work addressing proteins from sources such as pigs for tissue reconstruction won the University/Post-Secondary Student Award. Winning honorable mention High School Educator Award will help highlight science topics in her classroom, said Jade Leung, a physics and biology teacher at Shaler High School. "It's wonderful to be able to show how many are excited by science in this community," Leung said. Such enthusiasm can lead to scientific and technological innovations that fuel Western Pennsylvania's economic growth, said Jerry Whitaker, president of the Americas for Eaton Corporation's electrical sector. The Cleveland-based power management company has sponsored the awards for 13 years. "We love to recognize the achievements of those people whose work ultimately comes from science and math," Whitaker said. "Everything we do at Eaton is based on those two core disciplines." COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS: Advanced Manufacturing Award Di Gao, PhD, University of Pittsburgh Dr. Gao developed the first anti-icing superhydrophobic coating that is able to prevent icing of freezing rain on a solid surface. This technology may save immeasurable economic losses due to icing and even save lives by preventing ice-related aircraft incidents. Advanced Materials Award C. Edward Eckert, PhD, Apogee Technology, Inc. Dr. Eckert developed an advanced melting technology known as "isothermal melting," which melts aluminum in an energy-efficient way. A conventional gas "melter" requires 2,000 BTUs to melt a pound of aluminum, as compared to 552 BTU for an "isothermal melter." Analysis & Reporting Award Luis Fabregas and Andrew Conte, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Luis Fabregas and Andrew Conte wrote the groundbreaking report, "Transplanting too Soon," and a follow-up series which raised questions about the United States' liver transplantation protocol and market. The report received acclaim by state and national journalism organizations. Catalyst Award Allegheny County Health Department Founded in 1957, the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) has been a catalyst for generating awareness of public health issues. In the 1950s, ACHD promoted polio vaccination and today the organization continues to promote important public health concerns. Corporate Innovation Award

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Starzl, Tribune-Review reporters claim Carnegie Science Awards - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

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McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine The McGowan Institute's innovative structure has led to the development of therapies that are aligned with the regenerative medicine paradigm. McGowan faculty members have organized over 20 clinical studies currently under way or that are anticipated to begin within a year. Elementary Educator Award Beth Cooper, Butler Area School District Beth Cooper, Science Coach and chairperson of the Science Quality Council for elementary grades, impacts nearly 4,000 elementary students of science annually. She is a statewide leader, mentor and teacher trainer through ASSET Inc. Middle Level Educator Award Arlynn Adamerovich, Ligonier Valley Middle School Seventh-grade teacher Arlynn Adamerovich is a progressive educator who incorporates inquiry-based practices. She takes her classroom outdoors as well as brings the outdoors into her classroom through programs like Trout in the Classroom, which teaches students about freshwater conservation. High School Educator Award Jeanne Campbell Suehr, Yough School District Jeanne Campbell Suehr, high school chemistry teacher, was a 2008 Westinghouse N-vision Grant recipient. She connects her students to chemistry through real world and inquiry-based experiences, implementing district-wide recycling, radon testing, and the effects of household chemicals on algae. School District Award Franklin Regional School District The K-12 science department at Franklin Regional School District uses a "hands-on, minds-on" approach. The school ranks 8th in the state for science testing scores. Many teachers have been recognized at regional and national levels for excellence in science education. University/Post-Secondary Educator Award Alison Slinskey Legg, PhD, University of Pittsburgh Dr. Slinskey Legg, Director of Outreach Programs, designs programs aimed at breaking barriers between the lab and the classroom by making cutting-edge science accessible to K-12 students. Since its inception, the program has benefitted nearly 35,000 students in western Pennsylvania. Special Achievement in Environmental Education Award Laura Branby and Wendy Kedzierski and Jim Palmer, Creek Connections, Allegheny College Creek Connections annually invites more than 40 schools throughout the region to turn waterways into outdoor environmental laboratories. Pittsburgh Field Educator Laura Branby, Project Coordinator Wendy Kedzierski, and Co-Founder Jim Palmer help educate teachers and students about their local waterways. University/Post-Secondary Student Award Bryan Brown, University of Pittsburgh Bryan Brown, doctoral student, has been recognized for research, including fellowships from the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation and awards from Tissue Engineering, Regenerative Medicine, and Biomaterials societies. Brown's interests include tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and immunology. Emerging Female Scientist Award Charleen T. Chu, MD, PhD, University of Pittsburgh Dr. Chu, Associate Professor of Pathology and 2010 winner of the ASIP Outstanding Investigator Award, is making seminal discoveries at the forefront of Parkinson's disease research, highlighting the importance of well-regulated cellular recycling and autophagy in maintaining healthy brain connections. Start-Up Entrepreneur Award Razi Imam, Landslide Technologies, Inc. Razi Imam founded Landslide Technologies in 2004, a Web-based customer relationship management (CRM) system for mass production of sales. Landslide has been selected three times to Gartner's "Visionary Quadrant" and twice as "One to Watch" by CRM Magazine.

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Starzl, Tribune-Review reporters claim Carnegie Science Awards - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

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Entrepreneur Award Lalit Chordia, PhD, Thar Technologies, Inc. Lalit Chordia is founder and CEO of Thar, a global leader in green, high-pressure process and equipment technologies whose single-point-of-access platform delivers optimized and cost-effective solutions to pharmaceutical, food, and chemical industries with a specific focus towards alternative energy solutions. Environmental Award Devra Davis, PhD, Environmental Health Trust Dr. Davis, award-winning writer, is founder of Environmental Health Trust, an independent think tank devoted to studying and reducing environmental health hazards. She also founded the world's first Center for Environmental Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. Information Technology Award Luis von Ahn, PhD, Carnegie Mellon University Luis Von Ahn, professor of computer science, developed reCAPTCHA, an innovation that distinguishes human computer users from Internet robots. His program prevents Internet spam by displaying a distorted word that a user must identify before entering a Web site. Life Sciences Award Andrew Schwartz, PhD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Dr. Schwartz's research has contributed to the development of current braincontrolled prosthetic arms and hands. He is a pioneer in the field of neural engineering. In 2004, he established the Neural Engineering Program at the University of Pittsburgh. HONORABLE MENTIONS Analysis & Reporting Award Jeff Fraser, Pittsburgh Quarterly Published by Pittsburgh Quarterly in November 2008, Jeff Fraser wrote "The Truth About Pittsburgh's Air," an award-winning series on regional air quality. The series puts into context the various causes for regional air pollution and analyzes governmental regulations. Catalyst Award Terrence Collins, PhD, Institute for Green Science Dr. Collins is a green chemistry pioneer at Carnegie Mellon, where he invented an advanced oxidation technology for destroying hazardous substances in water that is in commercial deployment. He started the first-ever university course in green chemistry in 1992. Corporate Innovation Award Plextronics, Inc. Plextronics' creation of conductive and semi-conductive inks may have substantial impact on future energy consumption. The company has also generated a body of more than 185 issued and pending patents. These innovations have been recognized by media nationally and internationally. Elementary Educator Award Daniel Arnold, George C. Marshall Elementary School Daniel Arnold is a K5 technology education teacher at the Laurel Highlands School District. He has been instrumental in incorporating a technology education curriculum across all elementary schools in his district. This curriculum impacts more than 1,450 students annually. High School Educator Award Evelyn Breitigan, Avella Area Junior/Senior High School Evelyn Breitigan, biology teacher, connects students with real-world learning in science through community service projects, like school-wide recycling and maintaining campus nature trails. Her programming also brings science to life as students teach peer students in lower grade levels. High School Educator Award Jade Leung, Shaler Area High School Jade Leung, physics and biology teacher, involves students in real-world applications of science. As a member of the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative, she shares tissue-engineering materials and findings with students to

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Starzl, Tribune-Review reporters claim Carnegie Science Awards - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

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engage their curiosities. University/Post Secondary Educator Award Thad Zaleskiewicz, PhD, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg Dr. Zaleskiewicz, professor emeritus of physics, co-developed an integrated Natural Science course that serves more than 300 students annually. He currently is science liaison for the new Education degree and coordinates the Summer Science Math Experience for junior high students. Start-Up Entrepreneur Award Patrick Daly, Cohera Medical, Inc. Patrick Daly, President and CEO, has raised $23 million to advance a revolutionary line of surgical adhesives. The company's lead product, TissuGlu(R), adheres tissue in plastic surgery procedures, reducing the need for drains. TissuGlu(R) is currently in European clinical trials. Emerging Female Scientist Award Kacey Marra, PhD, University of Pittsburgh Dr. Marra, co-director of the Adipose Stem Cell Center at the University of Pittsburgh, is a pioneer in her field. She focuses on regenerative medicine, particularly using fat-derived stem cells for tissue regeneration, as well as the development of novel biomaterials. Emerging Female Scientist Award Alison Barth, PhD, Carnegie Mellon University Dr. Barth, associate professor of Biological Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University, focuses her research on understanding memory and learning, as well as finding ways to treat conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy. Environmental Award Gregory Lowry, PhD, Carnegie Mellon University Gregory Lowry is developing nanotechnology that can be used to clean up pollutants, such as chlorinated solvents and heavy metals in drinking water. This technology promises to be less intrusive and energy intensive than conventional clean-up approaches.

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