Center, specializing in diseases of the ear and skull base, with a particular interest in acoustic neuroma, petroclival meningioma, tumors of the jugular foramen and malignancies of the temporal bone.
Ph.D., who was Dr. Miano’s post-doctoral advisor and mentor at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. “Eric instilled independence, giving me free reign, and allowing me to carve out my own research niche,” he says. “I have borrowed this from Dr. Olsen’s playbook with glee—fostering autonomy and independence in my own lab. It’s important in this climate that junior scientists can go forward boldly with work that they developed in their own mind.” Today, Dr. Miano is focused on developing precision gene editing—aimed at identifying the source of and then ultimately correcting genetic defects—using CRISPR-Cas9 in mouse models to help better understand and treat cardiovascular disease as well as other diseases in the body. “We edit the germline genome of mice and then use these mice to understand the fundamental questions about the control of genes. What turns these genes on and off, where and when, and also the functionality of proteins that otherwise would be intractable to study,” Dr. Miano says. Most recently, he led his lab in a major breakthrough study published in PNAS. “While my lab was studying a genetic mutation in a mouse, unbeknownst to us, there was a lab in the Netherlands studying a human being. Within a genetically isolated community—a consanguineous (incestuous) population—who had a similar mutation as the one we were studying in mice,” Dr. Miano says. “One of my students learned about the clinical study and it became this beautiful convergence of sciences. “This is one of the most interesting studies I’ve worked on, and definitely the best example of translational medicine,” he reveals, “but I’d like to think my most notable accomplishment— that the thing I’m proudest of—is yet down the road. I want to lead, mentor and build up the next generation. I’m 56 and, as George Harrison so eloquently wrote in the 1960s, ‘all things must pass.’ I’m at the point in my career wherein I’m thinking about the next generation of scientists to come. I want to teach them to ask good, solid questions and get them passionate about science. Motivate them to move forward. I want to be their biggest cheerleader.” ■
Catholic church’s food line. Several decades ago, Naples developed a comprehensive charitable program for the homeless and addicted and I commit one day a week to work there doing non-medical general maintenance and repairs in the Steven M. Fruchtman, M.D. ’77, warehouse. I continue my 25-year was named president and chief hobby of jewelry fabrication and executive officer of Onconova recently became a member of the Therapeutics, a biotech company Florida Society of Goldsmiths. focused on small molecule discovery Finally, while our health is good, for patients with cancer, currently MaryAnn and I travel as often focused on myelodysplastic syndrome. as we can, frequently with our grandchildren. We also look forward Neil T. Choplin, M.D. ’76, writes to returning to the Philippines in “It’s been almost 19 years since 2020 for our fifth medical mission,” I retired from the United States he writes. Navy. I’m still working in private practice, although looking to slow down a little. On August 1, I will begin a two- year term as president of the Board of Directors of the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology. My wife, Lynn, and I are enjoying our three-year-old granddaughter.” Catherine Dunn, M.D. ’75, is happy to announce the arrival of their first grandchild, Cotter Simon, and the marriage of their younger daughter. “After all that excitement, Ted and I finally became snowbirds, in Tucson for the winter and Mazama in eastern Washington for the summer,” she writes. Daniel Morhaim, M.D. ’75, writes “After 24 years in elected office, I decided not to run for re-election to the Maryland General Assembly. It was a great experience and I accomplished many things, but it was time for another life chapter. I am a board member of the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons and I continue to do some ER shifts and other medical work. Shelley and I recently traveled to Spain, where we walked The Camino (12-14 miles/day for 11 days), and also took a trip to Iceland. But like many of you in our age group, we are increasingly enchanted by and devote time and attention to our grandkids.” Thomas Okner M.D. ’75A, retired from full-time practice in St. Paul, Minnesota, in the summer of 2015. “My wife, Mary Ann, and I relocated to Naples, where I continue to serve my community as a volunteer physician treating the uninsured working poor. In the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, I volunteered at a clinic for the underserved in Panama City and spent several days on the local
Robert A. Schwartz, M.D. ’74, was appointed to serve as a member of the U.S. Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS for a two-year term. Dr. Schwartz is in his third decade as the professor and head of dermatology at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and sits on the Rutgers University Board of Trustees as faculty representative. Jeffrey A. Kraut, M.D. ’72, co-authored an invited review on toxic alcohols published in the January 15, 2018 New England Journal of Medicine. David Harris Young, M.D. ’72, writes “I am currently in my fourth retirement and would like to get back to work.” Ian A. Gale, M.D. ’70, retired after 37 years of urology practice in Los Angeles and moved to Phoenix. He fills his time volunteering, cooking for and feeding the homeless veterans of Phoenix, playing golf and traveling. “My wife and I just returned from a three week trip to Antarctica. That was our seventh continent and 100th country in the last five years. We enjoy our seven children and five grandchildren between trips,” he writes. Bryan R. Updegraff, M.D. ’70, is still practicing with his daughter and son-in-law. His wife, Alyca, is an aesthetician. New NewYork YorkMedical MedicalCollege College 39