Meet Physicians and Scientists

Patrick J. Casey, PhD, a faculty member at both the Duke University School of Medicine in Durham and Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, was honored with a 2018 Distinguished Faculty Award during Medical Alumni Reunion in November.

Michael M. Haglund, MD, PhD, a gifted neurosurgeon and life-long humanitarian, launched and runs a partnership between Duke University School of Medicine and three hospitals in Uganda. Haglund's program donates used Duke medical equipment to the Uganda hospitals and trains the next generation of Ugandan neurosurgeons. Haglund was honored with the Humanitarian Award during the 2018 Duke Medical Alumni Reunion in November.

James W. Mold, MD'74, MPH, a pioneer for the concept of patient-centered health care, was honored with a Distinguished Alumnus Award during the 2018 Duke Medical Alumni Reunion in November.

C. Frank Starmer, BSEE'63, G'65, PhD, who began his time at Duke University as an undergraduate electrical engineering major, helped Duke's legendary Chairman of Medicine Eugene Stead, MD, create the Duke Cardiovascular Database, which grew into the largest of its kind in the world.

John 'Jeb' Hallett, MD'73, is a pioneer in vascular surgery. His research into abdominal aortic aneurysms changed the face of modern vascular surgery. Hallett was honored with a Distinguished Alumnus Award during the 2018 Duke Medical Alumni Reunion in November.

When four Duke researchers developed an innovative technique for exploring the non-coding genome--the 98 percent of our DNA that does not encode protein sequences, often the genome's "dark matter"--the implications were clear.

Duke neurobiologist Diego Bohorquez, PhD, and neurologist Richard O'Brien, MD, PhD, discuss the vital connection between the human gut and the brain, and how this is offering insights into the development of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. They also discuss research into learning why a young brain can repair itself but an older brain cannot.

John Sampson, MD, PhD, MBA, MHSc, chair of the Department of Neurosurgery, discusses how the Duke Cancer Institute is studying DNA and genetics with the goal of creating each individual's unique cancer "fingerprint" to offer targeted therapies.

Tolbert Wilkinson, MD’62, HS’64, a plastic surgeon, has thousands of people from all walks of life looking to erase their past and begin anew.

Priya Kishnani, MD, MBBS, discusses the power of innovation and discovery and how Duke researchers are leading the way to develop ground-breaking treatments for rare diseases like Pompe disease.