The winners are being honored during LAS Impact 2020, a weeklong celebration of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences starting on Oct. 26.
A list of the MCB award winners follows:
LAS Alumni Achievement Award
Cheryl L. Quinn
PhD, ’91, biochemistry
Cheryl Quinn has devoted her career to pharmaceutical drug discovery and development and consulting. She has worked as an independent consultant since 2007, and from 2011 to 2014 she served as CEO of ImmuVen, Inc., founded by professor emeritus of biochemistry David Kranz. Known for succeeding at science and business, she also served as director at aTyr Pharma, Inc., and a director of an anti-bacterial program at Pfizer.
Watch a video interview with Cheryl Quinn.
LAS Distinguished Service Award
Richard Berkowitz
BS, ’79, biology; MD, ‘83
Richard Berkowitz is chairman and medical director of the Department of Anesthesiology at Community Hospital in Munster, Indiana, and medical director of the Department of Anesthesiology at St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago, Indiana. Berkowitz initiated the highly successful School of Molecular and Cellular Biology Pre-Health and Professional Mentorship Program in 2010, which connects undergraduate students interested in health, research, biotechnology, and other related careers with alumni already practicing in the field.
Watch a video interview with Rich Berkowitz.
LAS Alumni Humanitarian Award
Joel Geiderman
BS, ’72, physiology
Joel Geiderman is co-chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Cedar-Sinai Medical Center and medical director of the Beverly Hills Fire Department. Geiderman is regarded as one of the founders of the field of emergency medicine, and he has also been extremely active in the area of Holocaust education.
Watch a video interview with Joel Geiderman.
LAS Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Kurt Bloomstrand
BS, ’09, molecular and cellular biology
Kurt Bloomstrand is medical director of emergency medical services at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center, where he oversees operations at 65 different agencies in seven counties. He operates a physician response vehicle that operates as a typical ambulance but with tools and medicine that only physicians are certified to provide.