Alumni Hans Ackerman visits from NIH

In a continuing initiative to maintain contact with alumni and foster relationships among current students and graduates, W&M alumnus (’97) and Rhodes Scholar Dr. Hans Ackerman will give a seminar to the Biology Department on September 30th, 2011 at 4 pm.

The title of his talk will be: Endogenous Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitors and Severity of Plasmodium falciparum Malaria.

Dr. Ackerman’s research is focused on studying mechanisms of endothelial cell dysfunction during malaria infection in African children. Endothelial nitric oxide activity is low during severe malaria infections, and research from his lab at the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases revealed that there are elevated levels of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors in children with severe malaria during an acute episode of malaria. Dr. Ackerman also works on developing new imaging techniques to measure endothelial function in children with malaria.

During his visit Dr. Ackermann will also take time to talk with W&M students regarding opportunities at NIH, activities in his lab, and his career path. The student session will be from Noon – 1 p.m. on Friday, September 30 at the Cohen Career Center on the William and Mary Campus. Students at all class levels – freshman through graduate are invited to attend. Interested student can learn more by visiting the NIH event listing for the Cohen Career Center.