Dr. Hadar Ben-Yoav from the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology has been selected as an honorable mention recipient of the 2020 Gerald R. Klerman Award, given for outstanding achievement in clinical research by the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation. His research focuses on developing a finger-pricked blood test for the rapid detection of antipsychotic clozapine blood levels. Clozapine is currently the most effective medication for Schizophrenia, yet it is not used by most patients due to the burden of the treatment. Therefore, a rapid and easy test of clozapine blood levels at the physician office or at home, is dramatically needed.
Dr. Ben-Yoav is the head of the Nanobioelectronics Laboratory (NBEL). His research team focuses on interfacing biology with microelectronics. In particular, they study the integration of biological materials (such as DNA, proteins, and cells) with micro- and nano-electronic devices that will harness their unique functionalities for the development of the next generation of personalized health monitoring applications (such as electronic skin patches and implantable sensors that can continuously monitor our health). In their research, engineering tools and strategies are devised to investigate new fundamental challenges in the field of analytical miniaturized devices that are related to micro- and nano-sensor development, biomaterial functionalization and interface with electronics, micro-systems integration, sensing of complex systems, and real-world scenario-driven design and implementation.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation recently announced the six winners of its 2020 Klerman and Freedman Prizes, recognizing exceptional clinical and basic research in mental illness. The prizes are awarded annually to honor outstanding scientists working to advance the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric illness. This year's awardees are conducting research impacting schizophrenia, depression, addiction, child & adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry and other aspects of brain and behavior.
The prizewinners have previously received awards through the BBRF Young Investigator Grant program, which supports early-career scientists as they gather pilot data and “proof of concept" for innovative clinical and basic psychiatric research. They are selected by the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Scientific Council, which includes 181 prominent mental health researchers.
Dr. Herbert Pardes, President of the Foundation's Scientific Council said, “The Klerman and Freedman prizes recognize innovative thinking and outstanding talent across the field of neuropsychiatry. Recognition for scientists early in their career helps them go on to receive additional funding and is a precursor to further accomplishments. We applaud these researchers, and we also thank BBRF's generous donors who understand that supporting brain and behavior research will allow scientists to produce better treatments, cures, and methods of prevention for mental illness."
“We are pleased to be able to recognize these outstanding researchers," said Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein, President & CEO of the Foundation. “Since our founding in 1987, we have awarded more than $408 million to scientists and have seen significant progress that has changed the lives of countless people living with mental illness. The important work of BBRF Young Investigators keeps us moving toward a future where all people with mental illness will be able to live full, happy, and productive lives."
The Klerman and Freedman Prizes are named for Gerald Klerman, M.D., and Daniel Freedman, M.D., neuropsychiatry pioneers who played seminal roles as researchers, teachers, physicians and administrators.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation awards research grants to develop improved treatments, cures, and methods of prevention for mental illness. These illnesses include addiction, ADHD, anxiety, autism, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, eating disorders, OCD, PTSD, and schizophrenia, as well as research on suicide prevention. Since 1987, the Foundation has awarded more than $408 million to fund more than 4,800 leading scientists around the world, which has led to over $4 billion in additional funding. 100% of every dollar donated for research is invested in research grants. BBRF operating expenses are covered by separate foundation grants. BBRF is the producer of the Emmy® nominated public television series Healthy Minds with Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein, which aims to remove the stigma of mental illness and demonstrate that with help, there is hope.
