Morgan State University Hosts 9th RCMI International Research Symposium in Baltimore

Morgan State University hosted the 9th RCMI International Research Symposium, which was held in Baltimore, Maryland, on December 8-11, 2004 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel. This symposium brought together investigators from the RCMI Programs nationwide, as well as researchers and staff from other centers and universities.

Invited speakers included Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, Surgeon General, U.S. Public Health Service; James Gavin, MD, PhD, President, Morehouse School of Medicine; Marianne J. Legato, MD, Professor of Clinical Medicine, Columbia University; Vivian M. Pinn, MD, Associate Director of Research on Women's Health and Director, Office of Research on Women's Health, National Institutes of Health; Floyd Malveaux, MD, PhD, Dean, College of Medicine, Howard University; Edgar R. Miller, III, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Robert Gallo, MD, Director, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute; Judith Vaitukaitis, Director, National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health, and Sidney A. McNairy, Jr., Associate Director for Research Infrastructure, National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health. Attendants were had the opportunity to participate in over 80 oral presentations. Over 270 posters were also presented in this activity.

Medical Sciences Campus RCMI Biomedical and Clinical Programs' poster presentations

The Medical Sciences Campus RCMI Biomedical and Clinical Programs contributed to this activity with 5 oral presentations and 23 poster presentations, ranging from molecular to behavioral and public health research. Over 30 faculty, graduate students, and technical staff from the Medical Sciences Campus attended the meeting.

Dr. Ruth Kirschtein, Special Advisor to the NIH Director

Dr. Emma Fernandez-Repollet, President of the RCMI Program Directors Association, presented the Frederick C. Greenwood Award to Dr. Ruth Kirschtein, Special Advisor to the NIH Director, in a special ceremony held during the Symposium. With this award the RCMI community recognized her special and successful contributions to increase the research opportunities of minorities in the biomedical fields.

Juarine Stewart, PhD, Interim Dean, School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Morgan State University and T. Joan Robinson, PhD, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Morgan State University,

Congratulations to T. Joan Robinson, PhD, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Morgan State University, and Juarine Stewart, PhD, Interim Dean, School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Morgan State University, as well as the Organizing and Scientific Program Committees for organizing a scientific meeting of exceptional quality. The 10th RCMI International Research Symposium is scheduled for 2006 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.