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| Media contacts: Holly Korschun, 404/727-3990, hkorsch@emory.edu |
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The International Research Promotion Council (IRPC) has selected Emory University pathologist and biochemist J. David Lambeth, MD, PhD, as the Eminent Scientist of the Year in 2003 for his research excellence in enzymology and biochemistry. Dr. Lambeth was recognized for his research on the regulation of the NADPH oxidase, and for the discovery of a family of related enzymes called the Nox and Duox enzymes, which convert oxygen into a class of molecules known as "reactive oxygen," Although reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a role in cell division and immunity, they also are implicated in the development of atherosclerosis and cancer. Dr. Lambeth's paper on evolving views of reactive oxygen species (including the NADPH oxidase), was published in the April issue of the IRPC's journal Recent Advances and Research Updates. The IRPC was founded in the United Kingdom in 1993 by members of the healthcare and scientific communities with a mission of drawing global attention to unresolved problems of health care in developing and under-developed countries and promoting socioeconomic development by providing research and scientific incentives. The vast majority of people live in areas of the world that receive only a small part of available global health care resources. This results in lack of basic health care in many countries and disproportionate morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in the very young and the elderly. The IRPC, which has chapters in the U.S., Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa, promotes research activities in science and medicine and implements research and development projects in developing and under-developed countries. It also provides financial support for research and encourages scientists to reach beyond international boundaries in search of scientific and economic solutions to healthcare problems. According to Alina Popescu, PhD, chairperson of the American Chapter of the IRPC and a faculty member at the University of Washington in Seattle, the IRPC is "one of the few organizations dedicated to recognize and award research in science and medicine in the whole world. IRPC scientists from around the world have the opportunity to unite their efforts in raising the awareness of the health and economic problems in third world countries and together make a difference in many people's lives." Dr. Lambeth received his MD and PhD degrees from Duke University. He joined the faculty of Emory University School of Medicine in 1980 and rose to the rank of professor in 1991. From 1994 to 2001 he served as chair of the Department of Biochemistry, where he was active in recruiting new faculty and initiating Emory's first program in structural biology. Dr. Lambeth has been continuously funded for more than 20 years by the National Institutes of Health and has published more than 140 papers and book chapters. He has trained dozens of postdoctoral fellows, students and visiting scientists, including those from India, Japan, Korea, China, Germany and Thailand. |