The ElementNovember 2012

Baylor College of Medicine

inside

A Message from the BRASS PresidentDear Friends of BRASS:

It is my pleasure to again serve as President of BRASS for the next two years. Returning was an easy decision for me because I love the BRASS Scholars and appreciate all of you who support them.

I hope you will get to know our three new scholars, our provisional scholar and the current ones as well. Time spent with them is always enriching and enjoyable.

And, I ask that you consider joining me and the BRASS Board in the coming years in the following ways:

Continue to increase visibility of BRASS in the Medical Center, throughout Houston and the US by: • Asking the BRASS Executive Committee and membership to make introductions to connected and influentialindividualsandorganizationswhohaveaninterestinmedicalresearch.Aswellastoindividualsandorganizationswhohaveexpertiseinbusiness,researchandmedicinewhomaybewilling to open doors for and/or mentor our BRASS Scholars.

• WorkcooperativelywithBCM’SOfficeofCommunicationstohighlightBRASSScholarsinthemediaandtheBCMcommunity.

Continue to encourage BRASS membership to engage the BRASS Scholars by spending time with then over dinner and through other means of entertainment. And encourage BRASS members to donate unused tickets to the theatres, symphony, opera, and other entertainment venues to BRASS Scholars.

Continue candid conversations with the current BRASS Scholars to understand the issues they face during their pursuit of their Ph.D. so that we will be able to address their needs through targeted support, including funding trips to present papers and collaborate with their peersinthetheirfieldofstudythroughouttheworld,fundingthepurchaseofequipmentneededfortheirlab,andmakingintroductionstomentors who can assist with decisions for their future.

Best Wishes, Diana

u Tea & Toddies Highlights and Photos

u BRASS Scholar Spotlight Minhtran Ngo

u Solid BRASS Scholar Dr. Mark Pennisi

BRASS Tea & Toddies BRASS Scholars & Members

BRASS Giving BRASS Officers 2013-2014

BRASS Scholars

Getting to Know Them

Ms. Marsha A. Johnson In Honor of the Birthday of Myra Wilson Mr. and Mrs. William M. NobleIn Honor of the Birthday of Myra Wilson Mr. and Mrs. Paul Simon In Memory of Helene Hafernick Ms. Marsha A. Johnson In Memory of Howard Pardue Ms. Carolyn L. Faulk In Honor of Myra Wilson Mrs. Joan H. LyonsIn Honor of Linda BrownMr. Denis A. DeBakeyIn Honor of Donald Faust

Mr. and Mrs. Lester W. EckertIn Memory of Don Wyant Mr. and Mrs. Lester W. EckertIn Memory of Burlen Griffith Steve and Diana Brown In Honor of the Birthday of Cora Sue MachMs. Betty L. Nauls In Honor of the Birthday of Cora Sue Mach Mrs. Myra Wilson In Honor of the Birthday of Cora Sue Mach Ms. Suzanne Sklar Simons In Honor of the Birthday of Cora Sue Mach

p Don D. Jordan presented BRASS Founder Myra Wilson with the Angel of the Year award at the 2012 Annual Tea & Toddies event.

p Diana Brown

p Matthew Burstein, 2009 BRASS scholar and Elsie Eckert presented Dr. Scott Basinger with the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Mentor of the Year award

Founder Myra WilsonVice President Peter VanDerlofskeTreasurer Lisa ChandlerMembership Chair Linda KuykendallSecond Vice President Don JordanRecording Secretary Jo Ann PetersenScholar Liaison Elsie EckertResearch Award Liaison Ed McMahonMentor Liaison Jim Bocell, M.D.At Large Jay ComeauxScholar Selection Elsie EckertNew Scholar Selection Committee Member Jack JohnsonBaylor Liaisons Scott Basinger, Ph.D., Gil Gilbert, Ph.D. Chris Kasavich

Want to host a scholar get-together in 2012? Can’t make an upcoming arts or sporting event? Have extra tickets for a gala or a luncheon?One of the best things about being a member of BRASS is the opportunity to spend time with the BRASS Scholars; you will have the time of your life! Contact Elsie Eckert at 713-789-2434 or ejs@elsiesmithdesign.com if you have tickets to donate or you’d like to set something up.

1. Ed McMahon and Rod Crosby2. Robin Simon and Ed Smith3. Archie & Pam Thompson and

Charles Ann Gumina4. Jo Ann Petersen, Carolyn Faulk and

Laura Heffron5. Jay & Linda Comeaux and Jeff &

Melissa Toal6. Donna Stokes and Peter VanDerlofske7. Patia Strickland and Dr. Scott Basinger8. Dr. Hiram Gilberrt, Dr. William Brinkley

and Chris Kasavich9. Dr. Huda Zoghbi and 2007 BRASS Scholar

Chris McGraw

Out on the TownThelastsixmonthshavebeenfilledwithfunandmanymemorableeventsforourBRASSscholarsandmembers.April 16 - Les and Elsie Eckert enjoyed dinner with scholar Minhtran Ngo and friend Jeff Howard. May 9 - dinner after Tea & Toddies hosted by Elsie and Les Eckert at Roost with scholars Matthew Burstein, Meagan Barry, Robert Seilheimer, Cathryn Hughes, Nya Nelson and guests Chris Cadwell and Emily Moore.June 26 - cocktails and dinner at Flemings hosted by Ed McMahon and Jay Comeaux for BRASS Board Members and16BRASSscholarsandtheirdates.Whatanamazingeveningofgoodfriends,greatfoodandfinewine!July 4 - pool party and barbecue hosted by Steve and Diana Brown at their wonderful home for 16 scholars and their dates.Everyonestayedlateandhadaterrifictime.July 13-14 - BRASS scholar Nya Nelson married Ryan McCarthy at a beautiful resort in California. BRASS scholars Philip Boone and Matthew Burstein and Les and Elsie Eckert were in attendance to wish the beautiful bride and handsome groom all the best.August 1 - Les and Elsie Eckert caught up with Dr. Sergy Lemeshko, our 1997 BRASS scholar over dinner at Palazzo’s.August 25 - dinner, an evening of watching Nascar races and swimming at Steve and Diana Browns home with Brass Scholars Matthew Burstein and his date Emily Moore, Robert Seilheimer and his date Claire Ortba and Les & Elsie Eckert.September 11 - dinner hosted by Jeanette and Jim Bocell at Café Ginger was a very informative evening of mentoring with Dr. Phil Noble, who shared advice on how to combine research with entrepreneurial pursuits. BRASS scholar Bea Santillan and her date Joseph Valdez, Elsie Eckert and Kathy Noble were on hand to enjoy the evening. September 15 - Peter and Francoise VanDerlofske hosted a dinner party at their home for BRASS scholars Mark Hamilton, Robert Seilheimer, and Meagan Barry. Steve and Diana Brown joined in the fun and all had a good time.September 18 - Diana Brown arrangedforaneveningofmentoringandpizzaatthebeautifulRiverOakshomeofDoug Erwin, a Houston technology serial entrepreneur. He and his wife Mary graciously welcomed Brass Scholars Matthew Burstein, Tuan Chao, Meagan Barry, Robert Seilheimer, Cathryn Hughes, Matthew Bainbridge, Mark Hamilton, Erol Bakkalbasi and BRASS members Elsie Eckert, Peter VanDerlofske, Chris Cadwell and Diana Brown. It was a very informative and enriching learning experience for everyone as he talked about networking in business and how to relate your business proposition and purpose in a memorable, concise message.September 19 - our 2007 BRASS scholar Shelly Buffington became Dr. Buffington after giving a brilliant defense. BRASS members Don Jordan, Peter VanDerlofske, Myra Wilson, Diana Brown and Elsie Eckert were on hand to take great pride in her extremely impressive presentation. Congratulations Shelly, you are a STAR! September 25 - BRASS Scholars Minhtran Ngo, Nya Nelson, Matthew Burstein, Robert Seilheimer, and Meagan Barry enjoyed Texas Children’s Cancer Center Celebration of Champions luncheon, as did BRASS members Myra Wilson, Robin Simon, Lynn Mathre and Georgene Brandon. Les and Elsie Eckert hosted this fun group at this remarkable event.

u Save The DateTuesday, December 11 ~ Holiday Party

Home of Sidney & Don FaustInvitation to Follow

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MEMBERSHIP AND PROGRAM INFORMATIONhttp://connect.bcm.edu/brass

or Please contact : 713.798.4137 or Kasavich@bcm.edu

BRASS Scholar Spotlight

Beyond the lab

BRASS allowed Minhtran Ngo the opportunity to see a side of medicine that is not visibleintheclinicsorlabs.Whileconductingfirst-yearresearchinT-celltherapyforcancer at Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, part of Texas Children’s Cancer Center,

Ngo had the opportunity to attend the Celebration of Champions Luncheon, which honors long-term survivors of pediatric cancer. “In the hospital, we take care of sick patients; in the lab, we do research with patient samples, but at the luncheon, I saw patients who were getting better, who were healthy and had fought an honorable battle. It was really moving,” she said. Ngo studied biochemistry at the University of Texas at Austin and chose Baylor College of Medicine because it was one of the few schools that provided a truly combined M.D./Ph.D. program. Most schools focus more on one or the other. “Baylor College of Medicine has a truly collaborative environment, whereas many other

programs are so competitive that people don’t always want to help each other,” said Ngo. The experience at the luncheon and the encouragement of upper-level students convinced her to apply to become a BRASS Scholar, and her experiences have had a great impact on her study of medicine. TheopportunitytovolunteeratSquirrelCreekRanchhelpedherseeadifferentsideofcancer,sincebothpatientsandtheirfamilies attend the retreat. “I saw that cancer is a family disease; the parents and siblings are all affected,” she said. “At the ranch, we treat all of the children the same because we don’t want to treat anybody as sick, and we also work with the parents, who are mentally and physically exhausted. It’s one part of medicine that you don’t see in the clinic or lab.” NgoisappreciativeofthefinancialandmoralsupportthatBRASSmembersprovide.

Through the new mentoring program available to BRASS Scholars, Ngo hasbeenabletomeetwithpeopleinthefieldofbiotechnologyandmakeconnections between private companies and academia to better understand how the two can collaborate in the future. “This is an opportunity that no other school has, and it’s not something you can ever learn in school,” said Ngo. “In academia, we’re sometimes in our own bubble, so it’s important to see what the rest of the world thinks.”

Ngo plans to pursue a residency in otolaryngology and hopes to stay in academia in the future. She anticipates applying her Ph.D. training into clinical research.

Solid BRASS Scholar: Dr. Mark Pennesi

Seventeenth Annual Tea & Toddies Fundraiser

The annual Tea & Toddies, now in its 17th year, was held May 9 at Hotel ZaZa. About 75 people were in attendance at the event, where Myra Wilson was surprised and honored as the Angel of the Year. Dr. Scott Basinger, associate

dean of extramural affairs in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Baylor CollegeofMedicine,waspresentedwiththefirst-everHoustonLivestockShow&Rodeo Mentor of the Year Award. The $1,000 award honors an outstanding BCM faculty research mentor, nominated by students at the graduate school and selected by BRASS Scholars and the graduate school leadership. As a part of the award, Basinger will present a lecture to all graduate students. BRASS Scholar Matthew Burstein and scholar liason Elsie Eckert presented the award to Basinger. At the event, Ed McMahon donated an additional $25,000 to the Donald E. McMahon Endowment Fund, which has been established to help fund the recruitment of the best and brightest Ph.D. candidates to the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. Carolyn Faulk joined BRASS as a Lifetime Benefactor Member, and we are thrilled to have her be such an important part of BRASS. A big thank you to Rod and Moriah Crosby who generously underwrote a large portion of the event.

p Minhtran Ngo 2008-2009 BRASS Scholar

p Dr. Mark Pennesi 1999-2000 BRASS Scholar

BRASS Scholar HighlightsResearch is greatly enhanced by Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Grants

BRASS members and guests at the 2012 Tea & Toddies Annual Fundraiser received an update from our impressive BRASS Scholars on what they are currently studying and how much the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo grants have enhanced theirabilitiestofurthertheirstudies,includingenablingthemtotraveltoseminarsaswellaspurchaselabequipment.Theseopportunitiesthatadvancetheircareersasscientistsareuniquetotheworldofbiomedicalscienceandwouldnothavebeenpossible without the grant from HLS&R.

L - R front row Cathryn Hughes, Laura Hiles, Meagan Barry, Sarah Bourdon, Nya Nelson L–RbackrowDr.ShellyBuffington,RobertSeilheimer,MatthewBurstein,PhilipBoone,Dr.ChrisBland,ChrisMcGrawandMinhtran Ngo

Pictured with them is Dr. Scott Basinger, the Baylor College of Medicine BRASS Scholar liaison and their esteemed mentor.

Event filled with memorable announcements and awards

Faculty member, assistant professor and researcher

When asked why he chose Baylor College of Medicine as the school to pursue hisM.D./Ph.D.,Dr.MarkPennesidescribesitas“aperfectfit.” “I interviewed at a number of different places, and I just pretty much fell in

love with the BCM program – both because of the medical school and also the graduate school.Theneuroscienceprogramwasreallyamazing,”saidPennesi. Originally from Dallas, Pennesi completed his undergraduate studies in biomedical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. When he heard about BRASS after coming to BCM, it was still a fairly new program, with only three or four scholars at the time,buttheopportunitysoundedfulfillingandbeneficial,sohedecidedtoapply. “It was just a really wonderful experience, and the members were very supportive. Thefirstcoupleofyearsofgraduateschoolareverydifficult,andthethingaboutBRASS was that it seemed like whenever things were going bad in the lab and you were down, you had an event with BRASS and you’d have all these people there believing in you and encouraging you. It really helped get over the times when things were not

necessarily going well,” he said. Pennesialsosaidthefinancialsupportforlabequipmentforaresearcherwhowasjuststartingoutwasimportantand made a big difference for him. He recalls always enjoying the various events hosted by BRASS members, including attending the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and the Tea & Toddies gatherings. He also remembers the firsttimehewasaskedtospeakinfrontofBRASSmembersabouthisresearch,andhowhepracticedoverandoveragain because he was so nervous about the talk. “Everyonewassoencouragingandreallybelievedinme,anditreallyhelpedmebuildupmyself-confidence.Italso helped me develop an ability to speak in public and in front of large groups and to not be as intimidated in that type of situation,” said Pennesi. His research focus was in neuroscience in the laboratory of Dr. Samuel Wu, professor of ophthalmology at BCM. Pennesi’sresearchfocusedonlookingatanimalmodelsofretinaldegeneration,specificallyinheritedformsofperipheraldegeneration.Hedidalotofworkusingelectrophysiologytocharacterizethesemodelsandlearnmoreabout them. “Those are skills that I’ve taken on to my research lab even today,” he said. He completed his Ph.D. in 2003 and his M.D. in 2004 and then went on to do his internship at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego and then completed his residency in ophthalmology at the University of California, San Francisco. For his fellowship, Pennesi went to Casey Eye Institute – Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, where his work focused on inherited retinal dystrophy and retinal degeneration. He joined Casey Eye Institute as a faculty member, where he is now an assistant professor and continues to conductresearchinhislab.Inhisclinicalpractice,heseespatientswithgeneticdiseasesoftheeye,specificallyretinaldegeneration. Pennesi was recently awarded the Mentored Clinician Scientist Development Award (K08) from the National Institutes of Health, a prestigiousfive-yearawardthatsupportshisresearch.Healsorecentlyreceived career development awards from the Foundation Fighting BlindnessaswellastheResearchtoPreventBlindnessorganization.Pennesi is grateful for everything that BRASS members did for him while he was studying at BCM.

“I continue to work hard to make BRASS proud, and I wish that I could get back to Houston more

often to see everyone.”

BRASS Tea & Toddies

p Ed McMahon presented a check for $25,000 to BRASS Founder Myra Wilson for the Donald E. McMahon Endowment Fund

1. Dr. Sergy Lemeshko, Elsie Eckert, Lenny Matuszewski and Michael Bickham

2. Dr. David Wright and Diana Brown

3. Linda Kuykendall and Dr. James Bonar

4. Carl Kuykendall and Tamara Klotz Bonar

5. Myra Wilson, Denis Debakey and Lavonne Cox

6. Debby & Bill Leighton7. Les Eckert and 2010 BRASS

Scholar Philip Boone8. Ed McMahon, Carolyn Faulk and

Don Jordan

1.

2.

3.

4.5.

6.7.

8.

“BRASS members want to hear all of the details of my research, something

even my mom probably wouldn’t want to know about.”

BRASS Scholar Spotlight

Beyond the lab

BRASS allowed Minhtran Ngo the opportunity to see a side of medicine that is not visibleintheclinicsorlabs.Whileconductingfirst-yearresearchinT-celltherapyforcancer at Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, part of Texas Children’s Cancer Center,

Ngo had the opportunity to attend the Celebration of Champions Luncheon, which honors long-term survivors of pediatric cancer. “In the hospital, we take care of sick patients; in the lab, we do research with patient samples, but at the luncheon, I saw patients who were getting better, who were healthy and had fought an honorable battle. It was really moving,” she said. Ngo studied biochemistry at the University of Texas at Austin and chose Baylor College of Medicine because it was one of the few schools that provided a truly combined M.D./Ph.D. program. Most schools focus more on one or the other. “Baylor College of Medicine has a truly collaborative environment, whereas many other

programs are so competitive that people don’t always want to help each other,” said Ngo. The experience at the luncheon and the encouragement of upper-level students convinced her to apply to become a BRASS Scholar, and her experiences have had a great impact on her study of medicine. TheopportunitytovolunteeratSquirrelCreekRanchhelpedherseeadifferentsideofcancer,sincebothpatientsandtheirfamilies attend the retreat. “I saw that cancer is a family disease; the parents and siblings are all affected,” she said. “At the ranch, we treat all of the children the same because we don’t want to treat anybody as sick, and we also work with the parents, who are mentally and physically exhausted. It’s one part of medicine that you don’t see in the clinic or lab.” NgoisappreciativeofthefinancialandmoralsupportthatBRASSmembersprovide.

Through the new mentoring program available to BRASS Scholars, Ngo hasbeenabletomeetwithpeopleinthefieldofbiotechnologyandmakeconnections between private companies and academia to better understand how the two can collaborate in the future. “This is an opportunity that no other school has, and it’s not something you can ever learn in school,” said Ngo. “In academia, we’re sometimes in our own bubble, so it’s important to see what the rest of the world thinks.”

Ngo plans to pursue a residency in otolaryngology and hopes to stay in academia in the future. She anticipates applying her Ph.D. training into clinical research.

Solid BRASS Scholar: Dr. Mark Pennesi

Seventeenth Annual Tea & Toddies Fundraiser

The annual Tea & Toddies, now in its 17th year, was held May 9 at Hotel ZaZa. About 75 people were in attendance at the event, where Myra Wilson was surprised and honored as the Angel of the Year. Dr. Scott Basinger, associate

dean of extramural affairs in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Baylor CollegeofMedicine,waspresentedwiththefirst-everHoustonLivestockShow&Rodeo Mentor of the Year Award. The $1,000 award honors an outstanding BCM faculty research mentor, nominated by students at the graduate school and selected by BRASS Scholars and the graduate school leadership. As a part of the award, Basinger will present a lecture to all graduate students. BRASS Scholar Matthew Burstein and scholar liason Elsie Eckert presented the award to Basinger. At the event, Ed McMahon donated an additional $25,000 to the Donald E. McMahon Endowment Fund, which has been established to help fund the recruitment of the best and brightest Ph.D. candidates to the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. Carolyn Faulk joined BRASS as a Lifetime Benefactor Member, and we are thrilled to have her be such an important part of BRASS. A big thank you to Rod and Moriah Crosby who generously underwrote a large portion of the event.

p Minhtran Ngo 2008-2009 BRASS Scholar

p Dr. Mark Pennesi 1999-2000 BRASS Scholar

BRASS Scholar HighlightsResearch is greatly enhanced by Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Grants

BRASS members and guests at the 2012 Tea & Toddies Annual Fundraiser received an update from our impressive BRASS Scholars on what they are currently studying and how much the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo grants have enhanced theirabilitiestofurthertheirstudies,includingenablingthemtotraveltoseminarsaswellaspurchaselabequipment.Theseopportunitiesthatadvancetheircareersasscientistsareuniquetotheworldofbiomedicalscienceandwouldnothavebeenpossible without the grant from HLS&R.

L - R front row Cathryn Hughes, Laura Hiles, Meagan Barry, Sarah Bourdon, Nya Nelson L–RbackrowDr.ShellyBuffington,RobertSeilheimer,MatthewBurstein,PhilipBoone,Dr.ChrisBland,ChrisMcGrawandMinhtran Ngo

Pictured with them is Dr. Scott Basinger, the Baylor College of Medicine BRASS Scholar liaison and their esteemed mentor.

Event filled with memorable announcements and awards

Faculty member, assistant professor and researcher

When asked why he chose Baylor College of Medicine as the school to pursue hisM.D./Ph.D.,Dr.MarkPennesidescribesitas“aperfectfit.” “I interviewed at a number of different places, and I just pretty much fell in

love with the BCM program – both because of the medical school and also the graduate school.Theneuroscienceprogramwasreallyamazing,”saidPennesi. Originally from Dallas, Pennesi completed his undergraduate studies in biomedical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. When he heard about BRASS after coming to BCM, it was still a fairly new program, with only three or four scholars at the time,buttheopportunitysoundedfulfillingandbeneficial,sohedecidedtoapply. “It was just a really wonderful experience, and the members were very supportive. Thefirstcoupleofyearsofgraduateschoolareverydifficult,andthethingaboutBRASS was that it seemed like whenever things were going bad in the lab and you were down, you had an event with BRASS and you’d have all these people there believing in you and encouraging you. It really helped get over the times when things were not

necessarily going well,” he said. Pennesialsosaidthefinancialsupportforlabequipmentforaresearcherwhowasjuststartingoutwasimportantand made a big difference for him. He recalls always enjoying the various events hosted by BRASS members, including attending the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and the Tea & Toddies gatherings. He also remembers the firsttimehewasaskedtospeakinfrontofBRASSmembersabouthisresearch,andhowhepracticedoverandoveragain because he was so nervous about the talk. “Everyonewassoencouragingandreallybelievedinme,anditreallyhelpedmebuildupmyself-confidence.Italso helped me develop an ability to speak in public and in front of large groups and to not be as intimidated in that type of situation,” said Pennesi. His research focus was in neuroscience in the laboratory of Dr. Samuel Wu, professor of ophthalmology at BCM. Pennesi’sresearchfocusedonlookingatanimalmodelsofretinaldegeneration,specificallyinheritedformsofperipheraldegeneration.Hedidalotofworkusingelectrophysiologytocharacterizethesemodelsandlearnmoreabout them. “Those are skills that I’ve taken on to my research lab even today,” he said. He completed his Ph.D. in 2003 and his M.D. in 2004 and then went on to do his internship at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego and then completed his residency in ophthalmology at the University of California, San Francisco. For his fellowship, Pennesi went to Casey Eye Institute – Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, where his work focused on inherited retinal dystrophy and retinal degeneration. He joined Casey Eye Institute as a faculty member, where he is now an assistant professor and continues to conductresearchinhislab.Inhisclinicalpractice,heseespatientswithgeneticdiseasesoftheeye,specificallyretinaldegeneration. Pennesi was recently awarded the Mentored Clinician Scientist Development Award (K08) from the National Institutes of Health, a prestigiousfive-yearawardthatsupportshisresearch.Healsorecentlyreceived career development awards from the Foundation Fighting BlindnessaswellastheResearchtoPreventBlindnessorganization.Pennesi is grateful for everything that BRASS members did for him while he was studying at BCM.

“I continue to work hard to make BRASS proud, and I wish that I could get back to Houston more

often to see everyone.”

BRASS Tea & Toddies

p Ed McMahon presented a check for $25,000 to BRASS Founder Myra Wilson for the Donald E. McMahon Endowment Fund

1. Dr. Sergy Lemeshko, Elsie Eckert, Lenny Matuszewski and Michael Bickham

2. Dr. David Wright and Diana Brown

3. Linda Kuykendall and Dr. James Bonar

4. Carl Kuykendall and Tamara Klotz Bonar

5. Myra Wilson, Denis Debakey and Lavonne Cox

6. Debby & Bill Leighton7. Les Eckert and 2010 BRASS

Scholar Philip Boone8. Ed McMahon, Carolyn Faulk and

Don Jordan

1.

2.

3.

4.5.

6.7.

8.

“BRASS members want to hear all of the details of my research, something

even my mom probably wouldn’t want to know about.”

BRASS Scholar Spotlight

Beyond the lab

BRASS allowed Minhtran Ngo the opportunity to see a side of medicine that is not visibleintheclinicsorlabs.Whileconductingfirst-yearresearchinT-celltherapyforcancer at Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, part of Texas Children’s Cancer Center,

Ngo had the opportunity to attend the Celebration of Champions Luncheon, which honors long-term survivors of pediatric cancer. “In the hospital, we take care of sick patients; in the lab, we do research with patient samples, but at the luncheon, I saw patients who were getting better, who were healthy and had fought an honorable battle. It was really moving,” she said. Ngo studied biochemistry at the University of Texas at Austin and chose Baylor College of Medicine because it was one of the few schools that provided a truly combined M.D./Ph.D. program. Most schools focus more on one or the other. “Baylor College of Medicine has a truly collaborative environment, whereas many other

programs are so competitive that people don’t always want to help each other,” said Ngo. The experience at the luncheon and the encouragement of upper-level students convinced her to apply to become a BRASS Scholar, and her experiences have had a great impact on her study of medicine. TheopportunitytovolunteeratSquirrelCreekRanchhelpedherseeadifferentsideofcancer,sincebothpatientsandtheirfamilies attend the retreat. “I saw that cancer is a family disease; the parents and siblings are all affected,” she said. “At the ranch, we treat all of the children the same because we don’t want to treat anybody as sick, and we also work with the parents, who are mentally and physically exhausted. It’s one part of medicine that you don’t see in the clinic or lab.” NgoisappreciativeofthefinancialandmoralsupportthatBRASSmembersprovide.

Through the new mentoring program available to BRASS Scholars, Ngo hasbeenabletomeetwithpeopleinthefieldofbiotechnologyandmakeconnections between private companies and academia to better understand how the two can collaborate in the future. “This is an opportunity that no other school has, and it’s not something you can ever learn in school,” said Ngo. “In academia, we’re sometimes in our own bubble, so it’s important to see what the rest of the world thinks.”

Ngo plans to pursue a residency in otolaryngology and hopes to stay in academia in the future. She anticipates applying her Ph.D. training into clinical research.

Solid BRASS Scholar: Dr. Mark Pennesi

Seventeenth Annual Tea & Toddies Fundraiser

The annual Tea & Toddies, now in its 17th year, was held May 9 at Hotel ZaZa. About 75 people were in attendance at the event, where Myra Wilson was surprised and honored as the Angel of the Year. Dr. Scott Basinger, associate

dean of extramural affairs in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Baylor CollegeofMedicine,waspresentedwiththefirst-everHoustonLivestockShow&Rodeo Mentor of the Year Award. The $1,000 award honors an outstanding BCM faculty research mentor, nominated by students at the graduate school and selected by BRASS Scholars and the graduate school leadership. As a part of the award, Basinger will present a lecture to all graduate students. BRASS Scholar Matthew Burstein and scholar liason Elsie Eckert presented the award to Basinger. At the event, Ed McMahon donated an additional $25,000 to the Donald E. McMahon Endowment Fund, which has been established to help fund the recruitment of the best and brightest Ph.D. candidates to the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. Carolyn Faulk joined BRASS as a Lifetime Benefactor Member, and we are thrilled to have her be such an important part of BRASS. A big thank you to Rod and Moriah Crosby who generously underwrote a large portion of the event.

p Minhtran Ngo 2008-2009 BRASS Scholar

p Dr. Mark Pennesi 1999-2000 BRASS Scholar

BRASS Scholar HighlightsResearch is greatly enhanced by Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Grants

BRASS members and guests at the 2012 Tea & Toddies Annual Fundraiser received an update from our impressive BRASS Scholars on what they are currently studying and how much the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo grants have enhanced theirabilitiestofurthertheirstudies,includingenablingthemtotraveltoseminarsaswellaspurchaselabequipment.Theseopportunitiesthatadvancetheircareersasscientistsareuniquetotheworldofbiomedicalscienceandwouldnothavebeenpossible without the grant from HLS&R.

L - R front row Cathryn Hughes, Laura Hiles, Meagan Barry, Sarah Bourdon, Nya Nelson L–RbackrowDr.ShellyBuffington,RobertSeilheimer,MatthewBurstein,PhilipBoone,Dr.ChrisBland,ChrisMcGrawandMinhtran Ngo

Pictured with them is Dr. Scott Basinger, the Baylor College of Medicine BRASS Scholar liaison and their esteemed mentor.

Event filled with memorable announcements and awards

Faculty member, assistant professor and researcher

When asked why he chose Baylor College of Medicine as the school to pursue hisM.D./Ph.D.,Dr.MarkPennesidescribesitas“aperfectfit.” “I interviewed at a number of different places, and I just pretty much fell in

love with the BCM program – both because of the medical school and also the graduate school.Theneuroscienceprogramwasreallyamazing,”saidPennesi. Originally from Dallas, Pennesi completed his undergraduate studies in biomedical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. When he heard about BRASS after coming to BCM, it was still a fairly new program, with only three or four scholars at the time,buttheopportunitysoundedfulfillingandbeneficial,sohedecidedtoapply. “It was just a really wonderful experience, and the members were very supportive. Thefirstcoupleofyearsofgraduateschoolareverydifficult,andthethingaboutBRASS was that it seemed like whenever things were going bad in the lab and you were down, you had an event with BRASS and you’d have all these people there believing in you and encouraging you. It really helped get over the times when things were not

necessarily going well,” he said. Pennesialsosaidthefinancialsupportforlabequipmentforaresearcherwhowasjuststartingoutwasimportantand made a big difference for him. He recalls always enjoying the various events hosted by BRASS members, including attending the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and the Tea & Toddies gatherings. He also remembers the firsttimehewasaskedtospeakinfrontofBRASSmembersabouthisresearch,andhowhepracticedoverandoveragain because he was so nervous about the talk. “Everyonewassoencouragingandreallybelievedinme,anditreallyhelpedmebuildupmyself-confidence.Italso helped me develop an ability to speak in public and in front of large groups and to not be as intimidated in that type of situation,” said Pennesi. His research focus was in neuroscience in the laboratory of Dr. Samuel Wu, professor of ophthalmology at BCM. Pennesi’sresearchfocusedonlookingatanimalmodelsofretinaldegeneration,specificallyinheritedformsofperipheraldegeneration.Hedidalotofworkusingelectrophysiologytocharacterizethesemodelsandlearnmoreabout them. “Those are skills that I’ve taken on to my research lab even today,” he said. He completed his Ph.D. in 2003 and his M.D. in 2004 and then went on to do his internship at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego and then completed his residency in ophthalmology at the University of California, San Francisco. For his fellowship, Pennesi went to Casey Eye Institute – Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, where his work focused on inherited retinal dystrophy and retinal degeneration. He joined Casey Eye Institute as a faculty member, where he is now an assistant professor and continues to conductresearchinhislab.Inhisclinicalpractice,heseespatientswithgeneticdiseasesoftheeye,specificallyretinaldegeneration. Pennesi was recently awarded the Mentored Clinician Scientist Development Award (K08) from the National Institutes of Health, a prestigiousfive-yearawardthatsupportshisresearch.Healsorecentlyreceived career development awards from the Foundation Fighting BlindnessaswellastheResearchtoPreventBlindnessorganization.Pennesi is grateful for everything that BRASS members did for him while he was studying at BCM.

“I continue to work hard to make BRASS proud, and I wish that I could get back to Houston more

often to see everyone.”

BRASS Tea & Toddies

p Ed McMahon presented a check for $25,000 to BRASS Founder Myra Wilson for the Donald E. McMahon Endowment Fund

1. Dr. Sergy Lemeshko, Elsie Eckert, Lenny Matuszewski and Michael Bickham

2. Dr. David Wright and Diana Brown

3. Linda Kuykendall and Dr. James Bonar

4. Carl Kuykendall and Tamara Klotz Bonar

5. Myra Wilson, Denis Debakey and Lavonne Cox

6. Debby & Bill Leighton7. Les Eckert and 2010 BRASS

Scholar Philip Boone8. Ed McMahon, Carolyn Faulk and

Don Jordan

1.

2.

3.

4.5.

6.7.

8.

“BRASS members want to hear all of the details of my research, something

even my mom probably wouldn’t want to know about.”

The ElementNovember 2012

Baylor College of Medicine

inside

A Message from the BRASS PresidentDear Friends of BRASS:

It is my pleasure to again serve as President of BRASS for the next two years. Returning was an easy decision for me because I love the BRASS Scholars and appreciate all of you who support them.

I hope you will get to know our three new scholars, our provisional scholar and the current ones as well. Time spent with them is always enriching and enjoyable.

And, I ask that you consider joining me and the BRASS Board in the coming years in the following ways:

Continue to increase visibility of BRASS in the Medical Center, throughout Houston and the US by: • Asking the BRASS Executive Committee and membership to make introductions to connected and influentialindividualsandorganizationswhohaveaninterestinmedicalresearch.Aswellastoindividualsandorganizationswhohaveexpertiseinbusiness,researchandmedicinewhomaybewilling to open doors for and/or mentor our BRASS Scholars.

• WorkcooperativelywithBCM’SOfficeofCommunicationstohighlightBRASSScholarsinthemediaandtheBCMcommunity.

Continue to encourage BRASS membership to engage the BRASS Scholars by spending time with then over dinner and through other means of entertainment. And encourage BRASS members to donate unused tickets to the theatres, symphony, opera, and other entertainment venues to BRASS Scholars.

Continue candid conversations with the current BRASS Scholars to understand the issues they face during their pursuit of their Ph.D. so that we will be able to address their needs through targeted support, including funding trips to present papers and collaborate with their peersinthetheirfieldofstudythroughouttheworld,fundingthepurchaseofequipmentneededfortheirlab,andmakingintroductionstomentors who can assist with decisions for their future.

Best Wishes, Diana

u Tea & Toddies Highlights and Photos

u BRASS Scholar Spotlight Minhtran Ngo

u Solid BRASS Scholar Dr. Mark Pennisi

BRASS Tea & Toddies BRASS Scholars & Members

BRASS Giving BRASS Officers 2013-2014

BRASS Scholars

Getting to Know Them

Ms. Marsha A. Johnson In Honor of the Birthday of Myra Wilson Mr. and Mrs. William M. NobleIn Honor of the Birthday of Myra Wilson Mr. and Mrs. Paul Simon In Memory of Helene Hafernick Ms. Marsha A. Johnson In Memory of Howard Pardue Ms. Carolyn L. Faulk In Honor of Myra Wilson Mrs. Joan H. LyonsIn Honor of Linda BrownMr. Denis A. DeBakeyIn Honor of Donald Faust

Mr. and Mrs. Lester W. EckertIn Memory of Don Wyant Mr. and Mrs. Lester W. EckertIn Memory of Burlen Griffith Steve and Diana Brown In Honor of the Birthday of Cora Sue MachMs. Betty L. Nauls In Honor of the Birthday of Cora Sue Mach Mrs. Myra Wilson In Honor of the Birthday of Cora Sue Mach Ms. Suzanne Sklar Simons In Honor of the Birthday of Cora Sue Mach

p Don D. Jordan presented BRASS Founder Myra Wilson with the Angel of the Year award at the 2012 Annual Tea & Toddies event.

p Diana Brown

p Matthew Burstein, 2009 BRASS scholar and Elsie Eckert presented Dr. Scott Basinger with the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Mentor of the Year award

Founder Myra WilsonVice President Peter VanDerlofskeTreasurer Lisa ChandlerMembership Chair Linda KuykendallSecond Vice President Don JordanRecording Secretary Jo Ann PetersenScholar Liaison Elsie EckertResearch Award Liaison Ed McMahonMentor Liaison Jim Bocell, M.D.At Large Jay ComeauxScholar Selection Elsie EckertNew Scholar Selection Committee Member Jack JohnsonBaylor Liaisons Scott Basinger, Ph.D., Gil Gilbert, Ph.D. Chris Kasavich

Want to host a scholar get-together in 2012? Can’t make an upcoming arts or sporting event? Have extra tickets for a gala or a luncheon?One of the best things about being a member of BRASS is the opportunity to spend time with the BRASS Scholars; you will have the time of your life! Contact Elsie Eckert at 713-789-2434 or ejs@elsiesmithdesign.com if you have tickets to donate or you’d like to set something up.

1. Ed McMahon and Rod Crosby2. Robin Simon and Ed Smith3. Archie & Pam Thompson and

Charles Ann Gumina4. Jo Ann Petersen, Carolyn Faulk and

Laura Heffron5. Jay & Linda Comeaux and Jeff &

Melissa Toal6. Donna Stokes and Peter VanDerlofske7. Patia Strickland and Dr. Scott Basinger8. Dr. Hiram Gilberrt, Dr. William Brinkley

and Chris Kasavich9. Dr. Huda Zoghbi and 2007 BRASS Scholar

Chris McGraw

Out on the TownThelastsixmonthshavebeenfilledwithfunandmanymemorableeventsforourBRASSscholarsandmembers.April 16 - Les and Elsie Eckert enjoyed dinner with scholar Minhtran Ngo and friend Jeff Howard. May 9 - dinner after Tea & Toddies hosted by Elsie and Les Eckert at Roost with scholars Matthew Burstein, Meagan Barry, Robert Seilheimer, Cathryn Hughes, Nya Nelson and guests Chris Cadwell and Emily Moore.June 26 - cocktails and dinner at Flemings hosted by Ed McMahon and Jay Comeaux for BRASS Board Members and16BRASSscholarsandtheirdates.Whatanamazingeveningofgoodfriends,greatfoodandfinewine!July 4 - pool party and barbecue hosted by Steve and Diana Brown at their wonderful home for 16 scholars and their dates.Everyonestayedlateandhadaterrifictime.July 13-14 - BRASS scholar Nya Nelson married Ryan McCarthy at a beautiful resort in California. BRASS scholars Philip Boone and Matthew Burstein and Les and Elsie Eckert were in attendance to wish the beautiful bride and handsome groom all the best.August 1 - Les and Elsie Eckert caught up with Dr. Sergy Lemeshko, our 1997 BRASS scholar over dinner at Palazzo’s.August 25 - dinner, an evening of watching Nascar races and swimming at Steve and Diana Browns home with Brass Scholars Matthew Burstein and his date Emily Moore, Robert Seilheimer and his date Claire Ortba and Les & Elsie Eckert.September 11 - dinner hosted by Jeanette and Jim Bocell at Café Ginger was a very informative evening of mentoring with Dr. Phil Noble, who shared advice on how to combine research with entrepreneurial pursuits. BRASS scholar Bea Santillan and her date Joseph Valdez, Elsie Eckert and Kathy Noble were on hand to enjoy the evening. September 15 - Peter and Francoise VanDerlofske hosted a dinner party at their home for BRASS scholars Mark Hamilton, Robert Seilheimer, and Meagan Barry. Steve and Diana Brown joined in the fun and all had a good time.September 18 - Diana Brown arrangedforaneveningofmentoringandpizzaatthebeautifulRiverOakshomeofDoug Erwin, a Houston technology serial entrepreneur. He and his wife Mary graciously welcomed Brass Scholars Matthew Burstein, Tuan Chao, Meagan Barry, Robert Seilheimer, Cathryn Hughes, Matthew Bainbridge, Mark Hamilton, Erol Bakkalbasi and BRASS members Elsie Eckert, Peter VanDerlofske, Chris Cadwell and Diana Brown. It was a very informative and enriching learning experience for everyone as he talked about networking in business and how to relate your business proposition and purpose in a memorable, concise message.September 19 - our 2007 BRASS scholar Shelly Buffington became Dr. Buffington after giving a brilliant defense. BRASS members Don Jordan, Peter VanDerlofske, Myra Wilson, Diana Brown and Elsie Eckert were on hand to take great pride in her extremely impressive presentation. Congratulations Shelly, you are a STAR! September 25 - BRASS Scholars Minhtran Ngo, Nya Nelson, Matthew Burstein, Robert Seilheimer, and Meagan Barry enjoyed Texas Children’s Cancer Center Celebration of Champions luncheon, as did BRASS members Myra Wilson, Robin Simon, Lynn Mathre and Georgene Brandon. Les and Elsie Eckert hosted this fun group at this remarkable event.

u Save The DateTuesday, December 11 ~ Holiday Party

Home of Sidney & Don FaustInvitation to Follow

1. 2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

MEMBERSHIP AND PROGRAM INFORMATIONhttp://connect.bcm.edu/brass

or Please contact : 713.798.4137 or Kasavich@bcm.edu

The ElementNovember 2012

Baylor College of Medicine

inside

A Message from the BRASS PresidentDear Friends of BRASS:

It is my pleasure to again serve as President of BRASS for the next two years. Returning was an easy decision for me because I love the BRASS Scholars and appreciate all of you who support them.

I hope you will get to know our three new scholars, our provisional scholar and the current ones as well. Time spent with them is always enriching and enjoyable.

And, I ask that you consider joining me and the BRASS Board in the coming years in the following ways:

Continue to increase visibility of BRASS in the Medical Center, throughout Houston and the US by: • Asking the BRASS Executive Committee and membership to make introductions to connected and influentialindividualsandorganizationswhohaveaninterestinmedicalresearch.Aswellastoindividualsandorganizationswhohaveexpertiseinbusiness,researchandmedicinewhomaybewilling to open doors for and/or mentor our BRASS Scholars.

• WorkcooperativelywithBCM’SOfficeofCommunicationstohighlightBRASSScholarsinthemediaandtheBCMcommunity.

Continue to encourage BRASS membership to engage the BRASS Scholars by spending time with then over dinner and through other means of entertainment. And encourage BRASS members to donate unused tickets to the theatres, symphony, opera, and other entertainment venues to BRASS Scholars.

Continue candid conversations with the current BRASS Scholars to understand the issues they face during their pursuit of their Ph.D. so that we will be able to address their needs through targeted support, including funding trips to present papers and collaborate with their peersinthetheirfieldofstudythroughouttheworld,fundingthepurchaseofequipmentneededfortheirlab,andmakingintroductionstomentors who can assist with decisions for their future.

Best Wishes, Diana

u Tea & Toddies Highlights and Photos

u BRASS Scholar Spotlight Minhtran Ngo

u Solid BRASS Scholar Dr. Mark Pennisi

BRASS Tea & Toddies BRASS Scholars & Members

BRASS Giving BRASS Officers 2013-2014

BRASS Scholars

Getting to Know Them

Ms. Marsha A. Johnson In Honor of the Birthday of Myra Wilson Mr. and Mrs. William M. NobleIn Honor of the Birthday of Myra Wilson Mr. and Mrs. Paul Simon In Memory of Helene Hafernick Ms. Marsha A. Johnson In Memory of Howard Pardue Ms. Carolyn L. Faulk In Honor of Myra Wilson Mrs. Joan H. LyonsIn Honor of Linda BrownMr. Denis A. DeBakeyIn Honor of Donald Faust

Mr. and Mrs. Lester W. EckertIn Memory of Don Wyant Mr. and Mrs. Lester W. EckertIn Memory of Burlen Griffith Steve and Diana Brown In Honor of the Birthday of Cora Sue MachMs. Betty L. Nauls In Honor of the Birthday of Cora Sue Mach Mrs. Myra Wilson In Honor of the Birthday of Cora Sue Mach Ms. Suzanne Sklar Simons In Honor of the Birthday of Cora Sue Mach

p Don D. Jordan presented BRASS Founder Myra Wilson with the Angel of the Year award at the 2012 Annual Tea & Toddies event.

p Diana Brown

p Matthew Burstein, 2009 BRASS scholar and Elsie Eckert presented Dr. Scott Basinger with the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Mentor of the Year award

Founder Myra WilsonVice President Peter VanDerlofskeTreasurer Lisa ChandlerMembership Chair Linda KuykendallSecond Vice President Don JordanRecording Secretary Jo Ann PetersenScholar Liaison Elsie EckertResearch Award Liaison Ed McMahonMentor Liaison Jim Bocell, M.D.At Large Jay ComeauxScholar Selection Elsie EckertNew Scholar Selection Committee Member Jack JohnsonBaylor Liaisons Scott Basinger, Ph.D., Gil Gilbert, Ph.D. Chris Kasavich

Want to host a scholar get-together in 2012? Can’t make an upcoming arts or sporting event? Have extra tickets for a gala or a luncheon?One of the best things about being a member of BRASS is the opportunity to spend time with the BRASS Scholars; you will have the time of your life! Contact Elsie Eckert at 713-789-2434 or ejs@elsiesmithdesign.com if you have tickets to donate or you’d like to set something up.

1. Ed McMahon and Rod Crosby2. Robin Simon and Ed Smith3. Archie & Pam Thompson and

Charles Ann Gumina4. Jo Ann Petersen, Carolyn Faulk and

Laura Heffron5. Jay & Linda Comeaux and Jeff &

Melissa Toal6. Donna Stokes and Peter VanDerlofske7. Patia Strickland and Dr. Scott Basinger8. Dr. Hiram Gilberrt, Dr. William Brinkley

and Chris Kasavich9. Dr. Huda Zoghbi and 2007 BRASS Scholar

Chris McGraw

Out on the TownThelastsixmonthshavebeenfilledwithfunandmanymemorableeventsforourBRASSscholarsandmembers.April 16 - Les and Elsie Eckert enjoyed dinner with scholar Minhtran Ngo and friend Jeff Howard. May 9 - dinner after Tea & Toddies hosted by Elsie and Les Eckert at Roost with scholars Matthew Burstein, Meagan Barry, Robert Seilheimer, Cathryn Hughes, Nya Nelson and guests Chris Cadwell and Emily Moore.June 26 - cocktails and dinner at Flemings hosted by Ed McMahon and Jay Comeaux for BRASS Board Members and16BRASSscholarsandtheirdates.Whatanamazingeveningofgoodfriends,greatfoodandfinewine!July 4 - pool party and barbecue hosted by Steve and Diana Brown at their wonderful home for 16 scholars and their dates.Everyonestayedlateandhadaterrifictime.July 13-14 - BRASS scholar Nya Nelson married Ryan McCarthy at a beautiful resort in California. BRASS scholars Philip Boone and Matthew Burstein and Les and Elsie Eckert were in attendance to wish the beautiful bride and handsome groom all the best.August 1 - Les and Elsie Eckert caught up with Dr. Sergy Lemeshko, our 1997 BRASS scholar over dinner at Palazzo’s.August 25 - dinner, an evening of watching Nascar races and swimming at Steve and Diana Browns home with Brass Scholars Matthew Burstein and his date Emily Moore, Robert Seilheimer and his date Claire Ortba and Les & Elsie Eckert.September 11 - dinner hosted by Jeanette and Jim Bocell at Café Ginger was a very informative evening of mentoring with Dr. Phil Noble, who shared advice on how to combine research with entrepreneurial pursuits. BRASS scholar Bea Santillan and her date Joseph Valdez, Elsie Eckert and Kathy Noble were on hand to enjoy the evening. September 15 - Peter and Francoise VanDerlofske hosted a dinner party at their home for BRASS scholars Mark Hamilton, Robert Seilheimer, and Meagan Barry. Steve and Diana Brown joined in the fun and all had a good time.September 18 - Diana Brown arrangedforaneveningofmentoringandpizzaatthebeautifulRiverOakshomeofDoug Erwin, a Houston technology serial entrepreneur. He and his wife Mary graciously welcomed Brass Scholars Matthew Burstein, Tuan Chao, Meagan Barry, Robert Seilheimer, Cathryn Hughes, Matthew Bainbridge, Mark Hamilton, Erol Bakkalbasi and BRASS members Elsie Eckert, Peter VanDerlofske, Chris Cadwell and Diana Brown. It was a very informative and enriching learning experience for everyone as he talked about networking in business and how to relate your business proposition and purpose in a memorable, concise message.September 19 - our 2007 BRASS scholar Shelly Buffington became Dr. Buffington after giving a brilliant defense. BRASS members Don Jordan, Peter VanDerlofske, Myra Wilson, Diana Brown and Elsie Eckert were on hand to take great pride in her extremely impressive presentation. Congratulations Shelly, you are a STAR! September 25 - BRASS Scholars Minhtran Ngo, Nya Nelson, Matthew Burstein, Robert Seilheimer, and Meagan Barry enjoyed Texas Children’s Cancer Center Celebration of Champions luncheon, as did BRASS members Myra Wilson, Robin Simon, Lynn Mathre and Georgene Brandon. Les and Elsie Eckert hosted this fun group at this remarkable event.

u Save The DateTuesday, December 11 ~ Holiday Party

Home of Sidney & Don FaustInvitation to Follow

1. 2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

MEMBERSHIP AND PROGRAM INFORMATIONhttp://connect.bcm.edu/brass

or Please contact : 713.798.4137 or Kasavich@bcm.edu