Exciting Times

Greetings from Providence! The growth of the research footprint and the ongoing success of the Brown Institute for Translational Science (BITS) continue to be the top stories in our corner of the world.

Earlier this year we welcomed renowned oncologist and researcher Wafik El-Deiry, MD, PhD, as the inaugural associate dean for oncologic science and director of the Brown-Lifespan Joint Program in Cancer Biology. Dr. El-Deiry is already making progress toward our goal to develop a basic and translational cancer research program of national and international stature. You’ll read more about his work in this issue.

We have also made strides toward building a clinical neuroscience center and a program in Alzheimer’s and neurodegenerative diseases within BITS, under the direction of Eric Morrow, MD, PhD, the Mencoff Family Associate Professor of Biology. Two new scientists will be joining this center in the fall. Gregorio Valdez, PhD, joins us from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, as an associate professor of molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry. Alvin Huang, MD, PhD, will be coming to us from Stanford to become an assistant professor of molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry. These additions to our already stellar roster of scientists and the expertise found in the Carney Institute for Brain Science will focus our resources on expanding our understanding of these debilitating brain diseases. To be sure, these recruitments would not be possible without the tremendous generosity of donors. Gifts to the BrownTogether campaign are helping us achieve our goal to make Brown a leader in translational science.

In addition to research, our innovations in medical education continue to bear fruit, as you’ll read in this issue. The first class of dual degree recipients in the Primary Care-Population Medicine program are graduating this month. We are also among the first medical schools in the country to integrate content on caring for people who identify as transgender into the required curriculum. Our faculty, students, and staff continue the work outlined in the Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan to ensure we are creating the best learning environment for our students and their future patients.

We look forward to continuing to partner with all of you to sustain this growth at the Warren Alpert Medical School.