February 9, 2001

Elizabeth Abraham, PhD, of the Molecular Endocrine Unit, studies her poster about stem cells from the pancreas.

Members of the MGH community recently gathered to discuss, analyze and recognize the many facets of the hospital's research goals and accomplishments. The annual meeting of the MGH Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) included a presentation of more than 70 scientific posters, talks on promising avenues of research and an intensive review of major programs and projects. The SAC is a distinguished panel of eminent scientists from outside institutions that advises hospital leadership on its research mission.

This year's meeting included oral presentations given by Brad Hyman, MD, PhD, of MGH Neurology, who spoke about "New Anatomical Studies of Alzheimer's Disease," and Roger B. Tootell, PhD, of MGH Radiology, who spoke about "Functional MRI of the Visual Brain."

The 25th annual poster session included four posters from the Timilty Middle School. The students had the opportunity to present their science projects right alongside the MGH researchers.

 
David Rhoads, PhD, a researcher with the Pediatric Endocrine Unit, at the annual SAC poster sessions.

The SAC meeting officially began Feb. 1, with a welcome and introduction by John Parrish, MD, chairman of the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) at the MGH. The meeting started with a brief discussion about Research Operations Improvement and new research programs. The remainder of the discussion was in a closed meeting with members of SAC and ECOR, who discussed a variety of topics, such as the pros and cons of addressing the balancing of the research portfolio and the purpose and future goals of SAC.

The keynote speaker for the SAC evening dinner at the Loeb House was former MGH director of Human Research Affairs Greg Koski, PhD, MD, who now is the director of the U.S. Office of Human Research Protection.