Newsmakers

November 04, 1999

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Newsmakers

Baranczak’s Poetry Wins Nike Prize of Warsaw

Stanislaw Baranczak, the Alfred Jurzykowski Professor of Polish Language and Literature in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, last month won the Nike Literary Prize of Warsaw, Poland, for his collection of poems (in Polish) Chirurgiczna precyzja (Surgical Precision). The Nike Literary Prize, Poland's most coveted literary award, named Baranczak’s collection of 25 poems the "Book of the Year."

This year's award ceremony was a highly publicized event held in an 18th-century royal palazzo in Warsaw, attended by, among others, the president of the Polish Republic. Baranczak was unable to travel to the event because of health problems, but his wife, Anna, attended.

Bloom Wins Medal for Work in Infectious Diseases
Barry Bloom, Dean of the School of Public Health, was awarded the Robert Koch Gold Medal at a ceremony in Bonn, Germany, last week. One of Germany’s most prestigious scientific awards, the Koch Medal honors the lifetime work of scientists who contribute essential understanding of infectious and other widespread diseases.

Bloom was honored for research including his characterization of antigens of the tuberculosis and leprosy bacteria and the development of novel strategies for improved vaccination against tuberculosis. The German government also praised him for his efforts to improve cooperation between scientists and health policy decision-makers.

The Koch Medal is named for the German scientist who, in 1882, isolated the tuberculosis and cholera bacteria and established the germ theory of disease. The Koch Foundation, established in 1907 to help fight tuberculosis, has awarded the Gold Medal annually since 1960.

Panel to Discuss Baseball Great Hank Greenberg
A panel discussion about the film The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg to be held during the upcoming Boston Jewish Film Festival, will include panelist Alan Dershowitz, the Law School’s Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law. Other participants will be the maker of the film, Aviva Kempner, WBZ-TV sports anchor Bob Lobel (moderator), and Boston Globe sports columnist Bob Ryan. The event will take place Wednesday, Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m., at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, after a screening of the documentary.