Dec 9, 2005 -- The Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University concluded its 50th Anniversary celebratory year with a reception honoring the faculty of the College of Medicine. During the celebration, held Thursday, December 8, on the Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus in the Bronx, five faculty members were specially recognized. Dr. Dominick P. Purpura, The Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean of Einstein, presided over the festivities, culminating a yearlong celebration of the medical school’s half-century in the Bronx. He designated four of the five honorees with the title “Distinguished Professor” and then presented the fifth honoree with Einstein’s first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award for Medical Education. The four newly designated Distinguished Professors of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine -- each of whom is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences -- are: • Michael V.L. Bennett, D. Phil., Professor of Neuroscience and Sylvia and Robert S. Olnick Professor of Neuroscience, whose research has increased understanding of the biophysics and molecular structure of gap junctions and their roles in intercellular communication and electrical transmission. His current research explores potential therapies to protect these vulnerable neurons from dying due to inadequate blood flow. • Susan B. Horwitz. Ph.D., Co-Chair of Molecular Pharmacology and Rose C. Falkenstein Professor of Cancer Research, whose research demonstrated how Taxol, a compound isolated from the bark of the Pacific yew tree, inhibited the uncontrolled cell division that characterizes cancer, leading to an entirely new class of chemotherapeutic drugs. To date, Dr. Horwitz’s research on Taxol has benefited well over one million cancer patients worldwide. She is now investigating why cancers tend to develop resistance to continued Taxol therapy and studying two natural compounds that remain active in Taxol-resistant cancer cells. • Stanley G. Nathenson, M.D., Professor of Microbiology & Immunology and Samuel H. Golding Professor of Microbiology, whose research has helped reveal the immunological basis for the body’s rejection of transplanted tissues and organs and led to therapies that can overcome the rejection process. Currently, Dr. Nathenson is studying the molecular and structural basis that influences susceptibility to type 1 diabetes. • Matthew D. Scharff, M.D., Professor of Cell Biology and Harry Eagle Professor of Cancer Research/National Women's Division, who is internationally recognized for his research on the synthesis and assembly of antibody molecules and for his pioneering work in developing monoclonal antibodies, which have proven extremely useful in disease diagnosis. In addition, his research has revealed a number of promising approaches for using monoclonal antibodies in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The presentation of the medical school’s first Lifetime Achievement Award for Medical Education was made to Albert S. Kuperman, Ph.D., recognizing his innovative leadership during 30 years as Associate Dean for Educational Affairs and Director of the Office of Education at Einstein. In presenting the award to Dr. Kuperman, Dean Purpura said, “Al Kuperman is a true visionary who combines a commitment to uncompromising excellence with an openness to new ideas that is legendary. Indeed, many of the very best new ideas in medical education have come from Al himself, and they have become models for medical schools around the globe.”