In brief

IOP, Kennedy Library Foundation launch new award

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and the Institute of Politics (IOP) have announced the creation of the John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award to honor young Americans who are changing their communities and the country with their commitment to public service. Each year, two awards will be presented to Americans under the age of 40 whose professional accomplishments exemplify the importance and value of public service. The joint program aims to celebrate the fullness of public service that President Kennedy championed.

Smoking cessation program at UHS

Beginning with a onetime free information session on Nov. 7, University Health Services (UHS) will be offering programs for people who want to quit smoking. At the information session, smokers will have the chance to meet with other smokers and talk about the benefits of quitting, potential medications for tobacco cessation, and their readiness to make changes.

During a five-week program – running from Nov. 14 through Dec. 19 (no class on Nov. 28) – people looking to quit will gain more awareness of the triggers for smoking, learn and practice relaxation exercises, set a quit date, and receive support from others.

For more information or to register, call the Center for Wellness at (617) 495-9629 or e-mail Debra Small at dsmall@uhs.harvard.edu.

SPH lectureship nominees sought

Nominations for the annual Myrto Lefkopoulou Distinguished Lecture at the School of Public Health (SPH) – awarded to a promising biostatistical scientist who has made contributions to either collaborative or methodological research in the applications of statistical methods to biology or medicine and/or excellence in the teaching of biostatistics – are currently being solicited. The lecture is targeted at a general scientific audience and is the first department colloquium of each academic year.

Proposals may be sent to the Lefkopoulou Lecture Committee, Department of Biostatistics, SPH, 655 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115. Nominations should include a letter of nomination and curriculum vitae. The deadline is March 15.

The lectureship is named after Lefkopoulou, a former faculty member and student in the Department of Biostatistics who died of cancer in 1992.

– Compiled by Andrew Brooks