NIBIB’s Leapman Named MSA Distinguished Scientist

Dr. Richard Leapman

The Microscopy Society of America (MSA) has named NIBIB scientific director Dr. Richard Leapman a 2018 Distinguished Scientist.

The society’s Distinguished Scientist Awards annually honor preeminent senior scientists, one each in the biological and physical sciences, for a long-standing record of achievement in the field of microscopy and microanalysis. Leapman is recognized in the biological sciences category.

Christine Brantner, biological sciences co-chair of the MSA awards committee, said, “Richard Leapman’s continuous interest in developing and refining methods in electron spectroscopy and element-specific imaging has led to many publications elucidating details of biological systems including the calcium content of acidocalcisomes in trypanosomes and the quantitation of the sulfur contact of L-granules in keratinocytes. Richard’s work in scanning transmission electron microscopy has led to mass determinations in unstained specimens. Of note is his work with amyloid fibrils that accumulate in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.”

Leapman will be honored at the society’s annual convention, Microscopy & Materials, on Aug. 6 in Baltimore.