May 20, 2005

Grant to MGH researcher supports minority scientists

Mark Poznansky, MD, PhD, a researcher in the MGH Infectious Disease Unit and the Partners AIDS Research Center (PARC), recently received a grant of $100,000 to support the work of minority junior scientists in his lab. The donation, an anonymous gift from an Atlanta-based group committed to supporting minorities pursuing careers in health care, currently supports Natasha White, a 2004 Boston University graduate doing HIV and AIDS research at the PARC under Poznansky's supervision. Eventually, White hopes to work as a physician assistant at an MGH or Boston-area HIV/AIDS clinic. Funds from this grant previously enabled Poznansky to train Dalhia Doughty and Elva Granado, two young minority scientists who subsequently earned admission to doctoral degree programs at Duke and Southwestern Universities.

Poznansky is delighted that the grant makes it possible for him to further his own commitment to the career development of minority scientists. He credits John Potts, MD, MGH director of Research emeritus, and Win Williams, MD, director of the MGH Multicultural Affairs Office, for enabling the generous gift. "Drs. Potts and Williams were crucial to making these donors feel comfortable supporting this project at the MGH," Poznansky says. "Without their help, receiving these funds would not have been possible, and I am very grateful to both of them."

White and Poznansky