Scott L. Friedman, MD, with Shuang (Sammi) Wang, PhD
Two early-career scientists—Pinar Ayata, PhD, and Shuang (Sammi) Wang, PhD—are the recipients of the 2019 Robin Chemers Neustein Postdoctoral Fellowship Award, it was announced recently. Each will receive an award of $25,000 to further their research endeavors.
Intended to encourage and support female research scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, the fellowship was established in 2010 through a generous gift from Robin Chemers Neustein, JD, MBA, a former member of Mount Sinai’s Boards of Trustees. Recipients are senior postdoctoral scientists who intend to complete their training within two years, have demonstrated high-impact accomplishments in biomedical sciences, and exhibit the potential for an independent scientific career.
Dr. Ayata works in the laboratory of Anne Schaefer, MD, PhD, in The Friedman Brain Institute within the Nash Family Department of Neuroscience. She is uncovering the molecular mechanisms by which a type of cell known as microglia support health and function of the brain, and how their dysfunction contributes to neurodegenerative disease.
“Pinar is an extraordinary young scientist with a knack for exciting and novel ideas and the tenacity to follow through,” says Dr. Schaefer, Associate Professor of Neuroscience, and Psychiatry. “She is firmly in the group of young investigators likely to lead the field of neuroscience in the near future.”
Anne Schaefer, MD, PhD, left, with Pinar Ayata, PhD
Dr. Wang works in the laboratory of Scott L. Friedman, MD, Chief of the Division of Liver Diseases. Her research is focused on investigating how a specialized group of chemical modifications of DNA alter the activity of scar-producing cells in the liver that contribute to cirrhosis (advanced scarring) of this organ.
“Sammi is a wonderful investigator and generous team member whose superb science and attention to detail complement great intelligence and maturity,” says Dr. Friedman, who is also Dean for Therapeutic Discovery and Fishberg Professor of Medicine. “She is a joy to have as a colleague and has a very bright future.”