In the future, a simple, in-home saliva test may be able to spot signs of osteoporosis months sooner than today's X-rays; a physician may find the first clues of Alzheimer's by looking in a patient's eyes; and an annual wellness check-up could include a quick blood test that identifies the presence of such neuro-degenerative disorders as Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases years before the onset of symptoms. If those innovations occur, the credit for their discoveries may go to the UMDNJ physicians and scientists who shared in $350,000 in research grants recently announced by the UMDNJ Office of Patents and Licensing.

The awards were based on demonstrated technological achievement and high potential for commercialization. The New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology and the Foundation of UMDNJ collaborated with the UMDNJ Office of Patents and Licensing to create the fund for the grants, which ranged from $15,000.00 to $37,500.00 each.

The Center for School and Community Health Education at the UMDNJ-School of Public Health and the LIFE (Ladies Professional Golf Association in the Fight to Eradicate breast cancer) Center at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) have teamed up to provide high school biology teachers with a new program that helps enhance their students’ scientific skills while raising their awareness about breast cancer.

Educators from the two centers have just completed a pilot test of "Using Biology and Genetics to Understand Cancer" with more than 30 high school teachers from throughout the state. The curriculum focuses on breast cancer to enhance the students' problem-solving skills while expanding their knowledge of genetics, how cancer develops and the steps the students can take to reduce their personal risk of the disease.

Dr. Peter W. Carmel will receive the 2008 Distinguished Service Award during the annual meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) on April 29 in Chicago. He will be recognized for his outstanding commitment and dedication to neurosurgery. He is a professor and chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School and co-medical director of the Neurological Institute of New Jersey, also served as chairman of the AANS Section on History.

In addition to being elected to the American Medical Association’s Board of Trustees in June 2002, Dr. Carmel was a member of the AMA House of Delegates for 17 years and the AMA Council on Long Range Planning and Development. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Patient Safety Foundation, the National Healthcare Museum, and the American Medical Association foundation, of which he is immediate Past-President.