Walter Koroshetz, M.D., the director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), will speak at UNMC on Tuesday, Nov. 19, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Room LVL Ground 0-12101.
Dr. Koroshetz, who oversees the scientific and administrative functions of NINDS, will speak on “NINDS and the Taxpayers’ Investment in Neuroscience Research.”
Matt Rizzo, M.D., chair of the UNMC Department of Neurological Sciences, called Dr. Koroshetz’ visit an honor for UNMC.
“Dr. Koroshetz drives the National Institutes of Health Brain Initiative, which is revolutionizing our understanding of the human brain,” Dr. Rizzo said. “Deeper understanding is essential to cures for difficult neurological conditions such as stroke, MS, ALS, tumors, trauma and degenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, which incur huge costs and enormous human suffering.
“Dr. Koroshetz’ visit recognizes our hard work in the neurological sciences and underscores strategic opportunities with NIH for early diagnosis, treatment and neurological cures for people across Nebraska, the region, and the world,” Dr. Rizzo said.
Dr. Koroshetz, a native of Brooklyn, was selected director of NINDS in 2015 and has been with NINDS since 2007.
He has held leadership roles in a number of NIH and NINDS programs including the NIH’s BRAIN Initiative, the Traumatic Brain Injury Center collaborative effort between the NIH intramural program and the Uniformed Health Services University, and the multi-year work to develop and establish the NIH Office of Emergency Care Research to coordinate NIH emergency care research and research training.
He is a graduate of Georgetown University and received his M.D. from the University of Chicago. He has been a professor of neurology at Harvard University, led neurology resident training at Massachusetts General Hospital from 1990-2007, and served as vice chair of neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Neurointensive Care.