BACKGROUND
The Texas Chapter of BioLink USA/Ireland draws its members from a variety of biomedical, engineering, medical, petrochemical and aeronautical disciplines across the commercial and academic sectors, including the Texas Medical Center and NASA.
In addition to their regular local events, many members of the Texas Chapter avail of the opportunity once a year to convene at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society, at a celebrated social event hosted by Dr. Bert O’Malley, Chair, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and National Medal of Science Laureate.
CHAPTER OFFICERS
Director: Dr. Pauline Ward (paulinew@bcm.edu)
Co-Director & Founding President: Dr. Denis Headon (headon@rice.edu)
Co-Director (Finances) Dr. Austin Cooney (acooney@bcm.edu)
Co-Director (Communications) Dr. Neil McKenna
Co-Director (Events) Dr. Owen Kavanagh (kavanagh@bcm.tmc.edu)
Area Co-Directors
Austin, Texas Aoibhistin Cooney (aoibhistin@yahoo.com)
RECENT EVENTS:
Oct 15 2008: FAS/ Biolink USA-IRELAND Graduate Intern Program
We were delighted to welcome 15 students to Houston as part of the FÁS/Biolink USA Ireland graduate intern program for 2008/2009. The students will perform state-of-the-art research under the mentorship of leading experts in the fields of biomedical science, biotechnology, nanotechnology and alternative energy fields on projects located at Baylor College of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Rice University and University of Houston.
In addition to their research activities, the students will attend departmental lectures and seminars, take graduate level courses, attend career development workshops, visit high tech companies and centers in the area including NASA, Johnson Space Center, The Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology at Rice University and the Human Genome Sequencing Center at Baylor College of Medicine. At the end of the program, the students will present their research findings at a symposium in the Texas Medical Center.
In addition to the 15 students placed in Houston, 2 FÁS students are training at Ad Astra Rocket Company in Liberia, Costa Rica under the mentorship of Dr. Fr. Franklin Chang-Diaz, a former NASA Astronaut and under the umbrella of the Texas chapter.
These students are working on the development of advanced plasma rocket propulsion technology for space transportation and exploration.
The graduate intern program is managed in Houston by Dr. Pauline Ward, Adjunct Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine and Director of the Texas chapter of Biolink USA-Ireland. Dr. Ward acts as a liaison between FÁS, the Irish universities and the Texas Medical Center Institutions and is involved with sourcing mentors, selection of students and matching students with projects. Dr. Ward also coordinates all student activities while they are in Houston.
Dr. Bert O'Mally receives National Medal of Science Award
Sept 29 2008 Dr. Bert O'Malley receives highest scientific honor in nation at the White House
Houston Chapter Biolinker, Dr. Bert O’Malley was awarded the nations highest scientific honor, the National Medal of Science by President George W. Bush in a ceremony at the White House on September 29th. Dr. O’Malley was one of eight leaders in science to be honored by the president as recipients of the 2007 medal. It recognizes pioneering scientific research in a range of fields, including biological, physical, mathematical, social, behavioral and engineering sciences. The official award for O'Malley states, "For his pioneering work on the molecular mechanisms of steroid hormone action and hormone receptors and co-activators which has had a profound impact on our knowledge of steroid hormones in normal development and in diseases, including cancer."
O'Malley is only the fifth in Texas to receive the award in biological sciences, and joins Dr. Michael E. DeBakey as the only other recipient from BCM. Also from Texas are Dr. Norman E. Borlaug of Texas A&M University, and Drs. Michael S. Brown and Joseph S. Goldstein, both of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. All three later received the Nobel Prize. Often referred to as the father of molecular endocrinology, O'Malley began his career at BCM 36 years ago. O'Malley holds numerous honorary degrees and is the recipient of many awards. He is the author of more than 600 items and is the holder of 19 patents for special techniques and inventions developed in the study of his field.
Dr. Bert O'Malley is chair of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Baylor College of Medicine and holder of an honorary doctorate from the National University of Ireland, Dr. O’Malley has mentored over 40 Irish students over the years and is an active participant in the graduate Internship program since its inception in Houston and currently serves on the FÁS Advisory Board of Directors for the National Scholars program.
