NHLBI’s Geller Awarded for Mentoring

Dr. Herbert Geller (r), director of NHLBI’s Office of Education, receives Bernice Grafstein Award from the Society for Neuroscience. The award’s namesake, Dr. Bernice Grafstein (l), served as the first female president of SfN.

Photo: Society for Neuroscience

Dr. Herbert Geller, director, Office of Education and chief, developmental neurobiology section at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, was recently selected as one of two recipients of the 2018 Bernice Grafstein Award for Outstanding Accomplishments in Mentoring given by the Society for Neuroscience (SfN). The award recognizes an individual or individuals who have shown dedication to mentoring female neuroscientists and to facilitating their entry into or retention in the field. Established in 2009, the award is supported by Dr. Bernice Grafstein, who was the first female president of SfN.

“Since the early 1980s, Geller has mentored dozens of students and fellows, including 30 female neuroscientists. He has mentored countless others through SfN programs and as program director for NIH training programs,” according to the SfN web announcement. “Even in the earliest stages of his career, Geller focused on promoting the training and retention of female neuroscientists. He is well-regarded throughout the field for tailoring his guidance to individuals to cultivate their unique talents and assets as well as for remaining in touch with and available to former trainees and colleagues.”

Geller is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. His contributions to teaching and mentoring have been recognized with an NHLBI Director’s Award for Promoting Diversity.

Dr. Elaine Del Bel, professor and leader of the Laboratory of Cellular Neurobiology at the University of São Paolo at Ribeirão Preto Dental School, also received the 2018 Grafstein prize.