Newsmakers

Postdoc named Runyon Fellow

The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation named Yifeng Zhang, postdoctoral fellow in molecular and cellular biology, one of its 10 postdoctoral fellowship recipients at its May scientific advisory committee review. According to the foundation, these fellowships are awarded to “outstanding young scientists conducting theoretical and experimental research that is relevant to the study of cancer and the search for cancer causes, mechanisms, therapies, and prevention.”

Under the sponsorship of Jeff C. Tarr Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology Markus Meister, Zhang will conduct research on the genetic dissection of neural processing in the retina. Damon Runyon Fellowships are for three years.

MOSI names Yunis scientist of the year

The Museum of Science & Technology (MOSI) in Tampa, Fla., recently selected Edmond J. Yunis, professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School, as its National Hispanic Scientist of the Year. Now in its fifth year, the award recognizes outstanding national Hispanic scientists who promote a greater public understanding of science, and motivate Hispanic youths’ interest in science.

A native of Colombia, Yunis will be honored at an award gala at the museum in October. During his visit to Tampa, he will host an educational symposium for Hispanic college students and staff at the University of South Florida and the University of Tampa.

Harvard chef cooks up comfort aboard USS Bataan

Executive Chef for Campus Restaurants Brendan Ryan recently participated in the U.S. Navy’s Adopt-a-Ship Program. From June 29 through the Fourth of July holiday, Ryan was stationed aboard the USS Bataan – a WASP Class Aircraft Carrier transporting 104 officers, 1,004 servicemen and servicewomen, and a Marine detachment of nearly 1,900.

While onboard, Ryan worked with Naval culinary specialists to prepare the regular meals and special holiday event menus, including the elite commanders’ reception. Ryan participated in the program out of his desire to “provide comfort through food to our servicemen and women.”

Mason Fellows Program names new director

Kathy Eckroad has been named director of the Edward S. Mason Program in Public Policy and Management at the Kennedy School of Government (KSG). Eckroad has been a member of the KSG community for 15 years, most recently serving as senior director of global programs at executive programs.

Commonly known as the M.P.A./Mason Fellows Program, the program is designed to prepare demonstrated leaders from developing, newly industrialized, and transitional countries to address the world’s most compelling development challenges. Eckroad assumed her new position in July.

HSPH awards Frisch

The Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) has awarded its Distinguished Professor Emeritus Award to Rose Frisch, associate professor of population sciences emerita. The citation notes: “Over the course of her long and remarkable career, Dr. Frisch has made key scientific discoveries linking body fat with fertility and documenting the protective effects of exercise. Through her scholarship, advocacy, and personal commitment, she has made a profound impact on the lives of individuals and on the field of public health.”

Kalt receives NCAIED award

Ford Foundation Professor of International Political Economy Joseph Kalt has been named the recipient of the First American Public Policy Award from the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to developing American Indian economic self-sufficiency through business ownership. NCAIED selected Kalt for his “significant contributions … to the study of economic development in Indian Country.”

Kalt, who was also being honored for his ongoing research, publications, and extensive pro bono work, received the award June 9 at the center’s 11th annual First American Leadership Awards banquet in Phoenix.

HLS teaching space renamed Kirkland & Ellis Hall

Harvard Law School’s historic Langdell South classroom has been renamed Kirkland & Ellis Hall in recognition of a $3 million gift made by the Chicago-based international law firm. The gift will support preservation and upkeep of this important 162-seat teaching space and – as part of the Harvard Law School (HLS) endowment – support the School’s general educational and research activities.

“Harvard Law School is a critical source of lawyers and leadership for Kirkland & Ellis LLP,” said Kirkland senior corporate partner Jack S. Levin, a 1961 HLS graduate and former member of the School’s visiting committee. “Kirkland’s many Harvard Law School partners and associates are pleased to give back and positively impact future generations of Harvard lawyers.”

The new gift is the third significant contribution made by Kirkland & Ellis to HLS. In the 1990s, Kirkland endowed the Kirkland and Ellis professorship of law, currently held by David Wilkins. It is the first professorship at HLS to be endowed by a law firm. The first gift from the firm was made in the 1960s to name a seminar room in Holmes Hall.

“We are enormously grateful to everyone at Kirkland & Ellis for this new gift, and for Kirkland’s unwavering support over the years,” said Dean Elena Kagan. “The true magic of a Harvard Law education takes place in the classroom, where sparks fly and minds expand. I look forward to seeing countless Harvard Law students learning in Kirkland & Ellis Hall, which is located in one of the most significant buildings in the history of American legal education.”

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a 1,000-attorney law firm representing global clients in complex transactional, litigation, intellectual property, and restructuring matters with offices in Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Munich, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.

In addition to housing two large auditorium-style classrooms, Langdell Hall is home to the world’s largest academic law library. The building is named after Christopher Columbus Langdell, who, as dean of HLS from 1870 to 1895, developed much of the modern American legal curriculum. The building’s south wing – which now features Kirkland & Ellis Hall – was constructed in 1907. The entire building underwent a $35 million renovation in 1997.

The new Kirkland & Ellis gift is part of Harvard Law School’s current $400 million “Setting the Standard” campaign.