NEWS
July 13, 2012
Press Contact: press@ashg.org
Doyen of Medical Genetics in Great Britain will receive award at ASHG annual meeting Nov. 10, in San Francisco
BETHESDA, MD – July 13, 2012– The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) has named Emeritus Professor Alan E. H. Emery, M.D., Ph.D., as the winner of the Award for Excellence in Human Genetics Education. The award will be presented to Dr. Emery on Saturday, Nov. 10, at ASHG 62nd annual meeting at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.
“I am greatly honored and delighted to be the recipient of this award,” Prof. Emery said. “To win this award means a great deal to me.”
“Prof. Emery has been one of the most prolific authors of important genetics texts in the world,” ASHG Executive Vice President Joann Boughman, Ph.D. “One of his textbooks has been republished in 12 editions and translated into seven languages. For many in the field of human genetics, he is simply known as ’the expert‘. He is also a most gracious gentleman.”
The ASHG award recognizes an individual for contributions of exceptional quality and great importance to human genetics internationally. Awardees have had long-standing involvement in genetics education, contributions in more than one area, and contributions of substantive influence on individuals and/or organizations.
Prof. Emery is being recognized for his distinguished work in education through lecturing, mentoring, establishment of programs, and his writings, which include over 300 peer-reviewed articles and 26 books on all aspects of human and medical genetics. Prof. Emery, also a poet, has authored books on medical genetics, prenatal diagnosis, genetic counseling, statistics, molecular, and historical perspectives. He also has written extensively on neuromuscular disease. His genetics texts including Elements of Medical Genetics (general), Methodology in Medical Genetics (statistics), and Principles and Practice of Medical Genetics with David Rimoin (medical), remain among the most important texts in their fields. Prof. Emery was also the first to describe a form of muscular dystrophy now referred to as Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy (EDMD or EMD) and the defective protein Emerin is named after him.
Prof. Emery is an honorary fellow or fellow in 10 societies, including the Royal Society of Medicine and the Royal Society of Arts. He has also received many awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Federation of Neurology and the Cockcroft Medal from the University of Manchester.
About ASHG
The American Society of Human Genetics is the primary professional membership organization for nearly 8,000 human genetics specialists worldwide. The ASHG Annual Meeting is the world’s largest gathering of human genetics professionals and a forum for renowned experts in the field. This year, ASHG will host the 62nd Annual Meeting in San Francisco, CA on Nov.6-10.
For additional information, please contact our office at press@ashg.org.