WASHINGTON—April 25, 2006—Research!America recently elected four new members to serve on its board of directors: Elmer E. Huerta, MD, MPH; Alan I. Leshner, PhD; Harrison C. Spencer, MD, MPH; and Debra R. Lappin, JD.
"We are delighted to welcome these medical and health research advocacy leaders to our board," said Mary Woolley, president of Research!America. "Each brings unique perspectives and experiences that will undoubtedly benefit and enrich our organization."
Huerta is among the nation's most noted experts on cancer in the Hispanic/Latino community. He is founder and director of the Cancer Preventorium, a prevention and screening service for Latino immigrants. He has served on the White House National Cancer Advisory Board and is a member of the American Cancer Society National Board of Directors. His syndicated radio and TV programs reach 90% of the U.S. Spanish-speaking population, and he is one of the most trusted health information sources for Latinos in the U.S. and Latin America. He received his MPH from the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health.
Leshner is the chief executive officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and executive publisher of the journal Science. Previously, he served as the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse and was recently appointed by President Bush to the National Science Board. Earlier, he was deputy director and acting director of the National Institute of Mental Health and held senior positions at the National Science Foundation. Leshner received his PhD in physiological psychology from Rutgers University.
Spencer is president and chief executive officer of the Association of Schools of Public Health. Previously, he was dean of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and dean of the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. He was elected as a member of the Institute of Medicine in 2003 and a founding fellow of the UK Academy of Medical Sciences in 1998. He received his MD from Johns Hopkins, MPH from the University of California, Berkeley and Diploma in Tropical Medicine & Hygiene from the University of London.
Lappin is senior vice president for B&D Consulting, LLC with 20 years' experience in health and science policy issues. She is a member of the Advisory Committee to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She has served as a member of the National Institutes of Health Director's Council of Public Representatives and as national chair of the Arthritis Foundation. Lappin received her JD from the University of Denver College of Law and is a resident of Englewood, Colo.
Research!America is the nation's largest not-for-profit public education and advocacy alliance working to make research to improve health a higher national priority.
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