Shout Outs
By Office of the President | Sep 17, 2024
Downstate Psychiatry Chair Honored by Brooklyn Psychiatric Society
Ramaswamy Viswanathan, MD, Dr.Med.Sc., Interim Chair of Psychiatry and newly installed President of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), was recently honored by the Brooklyn Psychiatric Society (BPS) with their prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented earlier this year at the Society’s 75th Anniversary Celebration. BPS, the Kings County branch of the APA, represents over 300 members who live or work in Brooklyn.
Dr. Viswanathan is a nationally recognized expert in psychiatry and population health with a distinguished career in education and research. In addition to making history as the first person of color elected the Brooklyn Psychiatric Society president, he is also the first individual from Brooklyn to serve as President of the APA.
Congratulations, Dr. Viswanathan, on this well-deserved honor.
Resident Clinches First Place in BPS Research Competition
Downstate resident Dr. Edoardo Vattimo with Dr. Maria Bodic, M.D., staff psychiatrist at Maimonides Medical Center of Maimonides Medical Center, who coordinated the 2024 resident competition.
As part of the 75th Anniversary Celebration, the BPS Resident Scholarly Presentation Competition took center stage. Downstate resident Edoardo Vattimo, M.D., PGY-4, won first place in the oral presentation category for his research on obsessive-compulsive disorder. This annual event showcases the innovative research of psychiatry residents from four major Brooklyn institutions: SUNY Downstate, Maimonides, Brookdale, and Interfaith Medical Centers. Founded 32 years ago by Dr. Viswanathan, the competition highlights emerging psychiatrists’ brilliant work.
A well-deserved victory for Dr. Vattimo!
Honoring Dr. Edward Quadros: Pioneering Folate and Autism Research
Over the summer, Edward V. Quadros, Ph.D., Research Professor of Medicine, participated in two significant events related to his research on autism, B-folate, and metabolism.
First, Dr. Quadros presented his groundbreaking research at the Synchrony Symposium 2024, organized by The BRAIN Foundation. His talk, “The Metabolic Basis for Levofolinate Treatment in Autism: Folate Absorption and Distribution,” delved into the suitability of a specific form of folate based on its absorption, transport, and distribution. Dr. Quadros offered valuable insights into folate distribution from mother to fetus and the brain, the impact of folate receptor antibodies, and the most effective form of folate to mitigate these effects.
At the second event, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) conference on B Vitamins and One-Carbon Metabolism, held mid-August in Niagara Falls, Dr. Quadros was honored as a keynote speaker. This longstanding conference, now in its 35th year, gathers leading scientists and clinicians to share cutting-edge research and foster collaboration. Dr. Quadros’ participation underscores SUNY Downstate’s dedication to advancing medical and public health knowledge in this critical field.
Thank you, Dr. Quadros, for pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding and translating discoveries into practical applications.
Brooklyn to Breakthrough: TRANSPORT’s Bold Push for Better Health
As one of the Principal Investigators for the TRANSPORT program, I am excited to introduce our inaugural monthly TRANSPORT newsletter. TRANSPORT (Translational Program Of Health Disparities Research Training) is a cornerstone of our commitment to tackling health disparities and advancing population health research.
The program fosters a diverse biomedical research workforce by recruiting and training junior faculty, postdoctoral candidates, and students from underrepresented backgrounds—many of whom are from Brooklyn communities most vulnerable to health inequities.
The newsletter will serve as a platform to spotlight TRANSPORT’s activities, special events, key dates, and the incredible individuals involved in this critical work. Through TRANSPORT, we are building a brighter, more equitable future for healthcare, and I look forward to sharing our progress with you each month.
Thank you to our TRANSPORT students, my co-PIs Moro Salifu, M.D., MPH, MBA, MACP; Carla Boutin-Foster, M.D., MSc., and W. Marcus Lambert, Ph.D., and to Dr. Pam Straker, Ph.D., Director of Operations for the Brooklyn Health Disparities Center for always making things happen as they should!
Dr. Brigette Desport Reappointed to Governor’s Early Intervention State Council
Brigitte Desport, DPS, OTR/L, BCP, ATP, Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives, and Associate Professor in the School of Health Professions, has been reappointed by Governor Kathy Hochul to serve a second term on the Early Intervention Coordinating Council (EICC).
The EICC, a 30-member advisory council in New York State, collaborates with the NYS Department of Health to review research, discuss policy changes, and recommend services for infants and toddlers with a family history of disabilities. Dr. Desport and her fellow council members will work together to enhance Early Intervention programs, focusing on services like assistive technology, therapy, family education, and more.
In her role, Dr. Desport will continue her impactful work on two key task forces, Workforce Capacity, and Rate Methodology Setting, helping shape the future of these essential services.
Congratulations, Dr. Desport, and thank you for your continued dedication!
From Violin Strings to Lab Pipettes: A High School Student’s Journey in Cancer Stem Cell Research
Erica Liu, a rising junior at the Bronx High School of Science, passionately engages in the school’s prestigious Biology Research Program, where her curiosity for the natural world and dedication to science have flourished. Her research interest has opened doors to the lab of Christopher Lange, D.Phil., in the Department of Radiation Oncology, where she immerses herself in groundbreaking research on cancer stem cells and their critical role in tumor recurrence.
Under Dr. Lange’s mentorship, Erica is gaining invaluable hands-on experience working with advanced laboratory techniques, including studying cancer stem cells, their differentiating progeny, and a patented assay developed by Dr. Lange that can potentially transform cancer treatment approaches.
Her enthusiasm for the lab is firm, and her work will continue throughout high school, providing an exceptional foundation in scientific inquiry. Beyond lab techniques, Erica engages in thought-provoking discussions with Dr. Lange, where they explore topics such as tissue regeneration, radiation therapy, and the intricate role of genetics in cancer. These intellectual exchanges deepen her understanding of scientific research and offer an inspiring glimpse into the world of academia and the life of a research professor.
In addition to her scientific pursuits, Erica’s talents extend far beyond the lab. She is a committed violinist and a talented artist, and she has a passion for orthodontics, aspiring to one day make her mark in the dental field. Her leadership shines through her nonprofit initiative, SmileCare Society, which she founded to empower youth interested in dentistry while providing dental hygiene products to underserved communities.
Erica’s scientific journey is just beginning, but it is already clear that her path is fueled by a profound dedication to learning, a deep appreciation for mentorship, and a desire to make meaningful contributions to science and society—just as Dr. Lange has done throughout his distinguished career.