WEST HARTFORD, Conn., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Epilepsy Society (AES) today announced the recipients of the Epilepsy Research Recognition Awards and the International Scholars Awards at the 59th Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. The American Epilepsy Society’s Annual Meeting is the nation’s premiere conference for epilepsy and other seizure disorders, and serves as an international forum for the exchange of current findings in epilepsy research.
AES International Scholars Program
The AES International Affairs Committee created the International Scholars Program as a way to continue educational efforts globally. Angelina Kakooza-Mwesige, M.D. and Albert Kwaku Akpalu, Jr., M.D. were selected as the recipients. As part of the International Scholars program Drs. Kakooza-Mwesige and Akpalu of Africa will visit the United States to attend the Society of Neuroscience Annual Meeting, work for three weeks with an AES member host in a clinical research lab and will be guests at the AES Annual Meeting.
Angelina Kakooza-Mwesige, M.D.
Dr. Kakooza-Mwesige is a pediatrician specializing in pediatric neurology based in Kampala, Uganda. She is employed by the Ugandan Ministry of Health in the department of Pediatrics and Child Health at Mulago Hospital and Complex, which is the largest and the main national referral hospital in the country.
Currently, the resources and facilities in Uganda are inadequate to properly care for those suffering from epilepsy. Dr. Kakooza-Mwesige expects to share her experiences as a part of the International Scholars Program to better the care of epilepsy patients in Uganda.
Dr. Kakooza-Mwesige received her undergraduate degree and Master’s of Medicine in Pediatrics at Makerere University Medical School. She continued her education at the African International Brain Research Organization funded School, Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa. Her host is Frances Jensen, M.D., Associate Professor of Neurology, The Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Albert Kwaku Akpalu, Jr., M.D.
Dr. Akpalu is currently the Physician Specialist in charge of the neurology clinic as well as a professor of neurology at the University of Ghana Medical School. He is one of only three practicing neurologists in Ghana.
Dr. Akpalu is looking forward to the opportunity to visit the United States and have access to a first-class epilepsy center. He plans to integrate what he learns through this experience to improve patient care in Ghana.
After receiving his degree in medicine at the Ghana Medical School, Dr. Akpalu received his Master’s degree in Clinical Neuroscience, with distinction, from the Institute of Neurology, Queens Square, University College of London. In 2004, Dr. Akpalu graduated as a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians, Internal Medicine. Dr. Akpalu’s host is Peter Crino, M.D., Assistant Professor of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, PA.
Epilepsy Research Recognition Awards
The Epilepsy Research Recognition Awards Program is a public recognition program designed to encourage and reward clinical and basic science investigators whose research contributes to understanding and conquering epilepsy. This program is available to investigators working in all aspects of epilepsy.
The award criteria is equally based on pioneering research, originality of research, quality of publications, research productivity, relationship of the candidate’s work to problems in epilepsy, training activities and expected productivity over the next decade. Jean Gotman, M.D., Professor Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University and Taille Baram, M.D., Professor Department of Pediatrics, Anatomy/Neurobiology and Neurology at the University of California, Irvine will each be awarded $10,000 for their efforts in epilepsy research at the AES Annual Meeting.
Jean Gotman, M.D.
Dr. Gotman designs computer software for use in the study of epilepsy. He combines his system of automatically recognizing spikes and seizures with video telemetry. He is now looking to correlate EEG results and imaging methods, particularly functional MRI. Dr. Gotman is also improving computer programs that can automatically monitor brain functions in patients in intensive care and in the operating room.
Taillie Baram, M.D.
Dr. Baram has focused her research efforts on seizures and epilepsies of infants and children particularly on febrile seizures and infantile spasms. Creating suitable immature animal models for these seizures, Dr. Baram’s work has led to important discoveries about the mechanisms of infantile spasms and about the long-lasting functional effects of experimental prolonged febrile seizures on the developing brain.
ABOUT AES
The American Epilepsy Society promotes research and education for professionals dedicated to the prevention, treatment and cure of epilepsy. Membership in the Society is made up of clinicians and researchers investigating basic and clinical aspects of epilepsy, and other healthcare professionals interested in seizure disorders.
Christer Osterling, 860.586.7505 or costerling@aesnet.org
Lindsey Smith, 212-229-8481 or lsmith@aesnet.org
American Epilepsy Society
CONTACT: Christer Osterling, +1-860-586-7505, costerling@aesnet.org, orLindsey Smith, +1-212-229-8481, lsmith@aesnet.org, both for AmericanEpilepsy Society