Yeshiva College Dean David Srolovitz, right, talks with students Zev Koller, left, and Daniel Lipschitz.
From Yeshiva College in New York to Princeton, N.J., to Israel and as far away as Singapore, Dr. David Srolovitz combines hard science, academic administration, and education with his modern Orthodox lifestyle. Srolovitz does not fit the stereotype of a typical engineer. Although he has a doctorate in materials science and engineering and chaired Princeton's Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, last year he undertook a new challenge, as dean of Yeshiva College — a job that requires him to consider all the liberal arts subjects in the undergraduate curriculum. For an engineer, he is surprisingly easy to understand; he has a lot to say about his research, how to educate undergraduate students, and the Jewish community.
Dr. Norman Doidge believes that the human brain can change in dramatic ways, and that what we do determines, to a certain extent, how well our brains work. He maintains that the human brain has boundless potential, and that those who have disabilities, or individuals with brain damage due to trauma or stroke, can improve their functioning, and overcome these difficulties by retraining their brains. This process is referred to as neuroplasticity. According to Doidge, some examples of neuroplasticity could include improvements in children with learning disabilities. Doidge will be discussing research on neuroplasticity, and his book, "The Brain That Changes Itself," on Thursday, May 31, at 8 p.m. at Ma'ayanot High School in Teaneck.
Barry Schindler, a patent attorney, will speak about legal obstacles to stem cell research at a March 15 Hadassah program.
Science correspondent
Embryonic stem cell research has generated much discussion worldwide despite the fact that it has not yet yielded concrete applications for human therapy. Gov. Jon Corzine signed legislation two months ago authorizing $'70 million towards human embryonic stem cell research in New Jersey. This has opened up many doors to scientific breakthroughs and also stimulated much new discussion on the controversial topic. In response to the New Jersey legislation, Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, is presenting a program to address the latest breakthroughs and controversies in stem cell research. A Hadassah Young Leaders event, scheduled for March 15 at the Montclair Art Museum, will tackle the issues generated by this provocative technology.
Barry Schindler, of Mountain Lakes, a patent attorney with Greenberg Traurig, LLP, which supports firms pursuing stem cell research, will speak about the legal barriers. He will be joined by Dr. Gary Friedman, a nephrologists, transplant specialist, and founding trustee of the New Jersey Stem Cell Research and Education Foundation, who will talk about therapeutic applications of the technology.
Barry Schindler, a patent attorney, will speak about legal obstacles to stem cell research at a March 15 Hadassah program.
Science correspondent
Embryonic stem cell research has generated much discussion worldwide despite the fact that it has not yet yielded concrete applications for human therapy. Gov. Jon Corzine signed legislation two months ago authorizing $'70 million towards human embryonic stem cell research in New Jersey. This has opened up many doors to scientific breakthroughs and also stimulated much new discussion on the controversial topic. In response to the New Jersey legislation, Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, is presenting a program to address the latest breakthroughs and controversies in stem cell research. A Hadassah Young Leaders event, scheduled for March 15 at the Montclair Art Museum, will tackle the issues generated by this provocative technology.
Barry Schindler, of Mountain Lakes, a patent attorney with Greenberg Traurig, LLP, which supports firms pursuing stem cell research, will speak about the legal barriers. He will be joined by Dr. Gary Friedman, a nephrologists, transplant specialist, and founding trustee of the New Jersey Stem Cell Research and Education Foundation, who will talk about therapeutic applications of the technology.
The Koffler Accelerator of the Canada Centre of Nuclear Physics; this building serves as a symbol of the Weizmann Institute of Science. Photo by Miryam Wahrman
On her first trip to Israel, Ridgewood resident Michelle Kortenaar learned how to turn a human ear into a radio speaker. And when she returned to New Jersey, she brought that skill, and many other novel science teaching strategies, back to her physics and biology classes at the Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex and Union in West Orange. She learned the unique approaches to hands-on science teaching at a summer institute for teachers sponsored by the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel.
"Every single day I came back to my room having changed my way of thinking about teaching," said Kortenaar, recalling her experiences during the 10-day Schwartz International Leading Science Teachers' Seminar. She attended the seminar together with 10 other North American teachers and nine Israeli high school teachers. "The sessions were extremely practical. I've come back with many things that I've been able to implement in my class this year."
The Koffler Accelerator of the Canada Centre of Nuclear Physics; this building serves as a symbol of the Weizmann Institute of Science. Photo by Miryam Wahrman
On her first trip to Israel, Ridgewood resident Michelle Kortenaar learned how to turn a human ear into a radio speaker. And when she returned to New Jersey, she brought that skill, and many other novel science teaching strategies, back to her physics and biology classes at the Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex and Union in West Orange. She learned the unique approaches to hands-on science teaching at a summer institute for teachers sponsored by the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel.
"Every single day I came back to my room having changed my way of thinking about teaching," said Kortenaar, recalling her experiences during the 10-day Schwartz International Leading Science Teachers' Seminar. She attended the seminar together with 10 other North American teachers and nine Israeli high school teachers. "The sessions were extremely practical. I've come back with many things that I've been able to implement in my class this year."
Dr. Gara Sommers, left, tells members of the Paramus Bat-Sheva chapter of Hadassah that all women should be vaccinated against HPV. With her, from left, are program chair Rhoda Fried and chapter president Laura Menter. photo by Miryam Z. Wahrman
PARAMUS – There's finally some good news for women about cancer, specifically, cancer of the cervix. That dreaded disease — the second most common cause of death from cancer (after breast cancer) worldwide — is caused by the HPV virus, and now a new vaccine is available that is virtually 100 percent effective in preventing HPV infection and cervical cancer.
"There are 10,000 cases diagnosed annually [in the U.S], and 10 women die each day of cervical cancer," according to Dr. Gara Sommers, a gynecologic oncologist at Valley Hospital in Paramus and Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, who spoke on Nov. '1 at the JCC here on behalf of the Paramus Bat-Sheva chapter of Hadassah. The topic — "HPV, its relationship to cervical cancer, and the new vaccine, Gardisil" — was intended to introduce and explain what Sommers described as "a phenomenal breakthrough in my subspecialty."
Dr. Gara Sommers, left, tells members of the Paramus Bat-Sheva chapter of Hadassah that all women should be vaccinated against HPV. With her, from left, are program chair Rhoda Fried and chapter president Laura Menter. photo by Miryam Z. Wahrman
PARAMUS – There's finally some good news for women about cancer, specifically, cancer of the cervix. That dreaded disease — the second most common cause of death from cancer (after breast cancer) worldwide — is caused by the HPV virus, and now a new vaccine is available that is virtually 100 percent effective in preventing HPV infection and cervical cancer.
"There are 10,000 cases diagnosed annually [in the U.S], and 10 women die each day of cervical cancer," according to Dr. Gara Sommers, a gynecologic oncologist at Valley Hospital in Paramus and Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, who spoke on Nov. '1 at the JCC here on behalf of the Paramus Bat-Sheva chapter of Hadassah. The topic — "HPV, its relationship to cervical cancer, and the new vaccine, Gardisil" — was intended to introduce and explain what Sommers described as "a phenomenal breakthrough in my subspecialty."
Local medical centers provide services in the areas of prenatal, pediatric, and cancer genetics. For prenatal and cancer genetic services, board-certified genetic counselors are on staff and they consult with patients, arrange testing, provide counseling, discuss options, and make recommendations. Hospitals with pediatric genetic services typically also employ pediatricians/geneticists who examine, diagnose, recommend testing, and treat youngsters.
Prenatal and cancer genetic counseling services are available at...
If it runs in your family, it doesn't have to be your destiny. Find out if genes are really involved — and what you can do about them," states the Home Page of DNA Direct (http://www.dnadirect.com), a direct-to-consumer genetic testing service. I filled out an online questionnaire, indicating my Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, and that I have no family history of either cystic fibrosis or breast cancer, and I was offered cystic fibrosis (CF) testing ($'60) and testing for the breast cancer gene, BRCA ($695).
Most Ashkenazi Jews are aware there is a higher incidence of certain genetic mutations within their population group that are associated with genetic disorders. Genetic tests are available that can reveal the presence of some of these genetic mutations and markers.
