IoP scientist receives prestigious 2013 Klerman Prize Honorable Mention
Dr Andrea Danese, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre and Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, King’s College London, is being recognized by the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (formerly NARSAD) for exceptional clinical research and has received a prestigious 2013 Klerman Prize Honorable Mention.
Dr Danese is one of only seven scientists recognized worldwide and is the only awardee from outside North America.
Supported in part by his 2009 NARSAD Young Investigator Award, Dr Danese’s research showed that maltreated children are at heightened risk for treatment-resistant depression, and that inflammation may contribute to the development of depression among this group. He discovered immune and metabolic abnormalities in individuals with a history of childhood maltreatment. These often-overlooked peripheral abnormalities are now proving promising new targets for treatment of difficult-to-treat cases of affective and psychotic disorders.
Dr Danese said: ‘I am delighted and honoured for this important recognition. I want to thank the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (formerly NARSAD) for their boldness and generosity in supporting the early, critical stages of my research. I am pleased to see that the Foundation Scientific Council feels their seed funding is leading to meaningful advances in clinical research. I believe this also speaks to the excellence of translational research at the Institute of Psychiatry, where over the years several outstanding colleagues have enjoyed the intellectual freedom and stimulation provided by the Young Investigator Award.’
Prizewinners were selected by committees of the Foundation Scientific Council, a volunteer group of 138 distinguished scientists across brain and behaviour research disciplines. Herbert Pardes, M.D., Council President said, ‘These Brain & Behavior Research Foundation NARSAD Young Investigator Grantees selected as prizewinners stand out in the field for remarkable innovation in their contributions to mental health research. Their exceptional work builds on current knowledge, offering great promise in our quest to find solutions for the mental illnesses that continue to create so much suffering.'
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (formerly “NARSAD” National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression) is a US-based charity which raises money to invest in cutting-edge research projects to understand, treat and ultimately prevent and cure mental illness. Since 1987, the Foundation has awarded nearly $300 million in NARSAD Research Grants to more than 3,300 scientists around the world. The Foundation invests 100% of donor contributions for research directly into NARSAD Research Grants. It supports leading and promising scientists and continues to support them as they develop the next generation of diagnostics and treatments.
For further information, please contact Louise Pratt, Public Relations and Communications Manager, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, email: louise.a.pratt@kcl.ac.uk or tel: 0044 207 848 5378