Bethesda, Maryland—The American Association of Anatomist's (AAA) presented its highest awards on April 12 during the society's Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. This year's honors went to:
Bjorn R. Olsen, the Hersey Professor of Cell Biology at Harvard Medical School, Professor of Developmental Biology and Dean for Research at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine –Olsen received the 2011 Henry Gray/ Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Scientific Achievement Award, AAA's most prestigious scientific honor, which recognizes unique and meritorious contributions to and achievements in anatomical sciences by a distinguished AAA member.
Richard Drake, Director of Anatomy at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine – Drake received the 2011 Henry Gray/Elsevier Distinguished Educator Award, AAA's highest award for human anatomy education in the anatomical sciences as broadly defined—including gross anatomy, embryology, histology, and neuroanatomy—at the medical/dental, graduate, or undergraduate level of teaching.
Gary C. Schoenwolf, Distinguished Professor of Neurobiology and Anatomy and Director of the Children's Health Research Center of the University of Utah – Schoenwolf received the 2011 A.J. Ladman/Wiley Exemplary Service Award, which recognizes an AAA member distinguished in the field of anatomical sciences who has provided exceptional service to the society.
The American Association of Anatomists, based in Bethesda, MD, was founded in 1888 for the "advancement of anatomical science." Today, AAA is the professional home for biomedical researchers and educators focusing on anatomical form and function. In addition to being the primary educators of medical students in their first year of medical school, AAA members worldwide work in imaging, cell biology, genetics, molecular development, endocrinology, histology, neuroscience, forensics, microscopy, physical anthropology, and numerous other exciting and developing areas. AAA publishes three journals—The Anatomical Record, Anatomical Sciences Education and Developmental Dynamics—plus a quarterly newsletter. Among its other programs and services, the organization sponsors an Annual Meeting (part of Experimental Biology), runs an extensive awards program, and maintains a website (www.anatomy.org) that offers members and others a variety of tools to enhance their teaching, research, and overall professional development.
For further information about each recipient, please go to the links provided by clicking on each awardees name above or to http://www.anatomy.org/gray-gray-ladman_2011.pdf. Photographs available on request.