MOSI – 2005 Hispanic Scientists of The Year.

MOSI, the Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa, Fla., announced today that it has selected the honoree of the fifth-annual National Hispanic Scientist of the Year Award.

This year’s honoree is Dr. Edmond J. Yunis, Professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School, and the former Chief of the Department of Cancer, Immunology, & AIDS (1976-2000) at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA.

The mission of the National Hispanic Scientist of the Year Award is to recognize outstanding national Hispanic scientists who promote a greater public understanding of science, and motivate Hispanic youths’ interest in science.

Dr. Yunis was born in Sincelejo, Colombia, South America, where he received his MD in 1954 from the Universidad Nacional of Colombia. Dr. Yunis further received his postdoctoral training in pathology at the University of Kansas, the University of Minnesota, and the Children’s Hospital Boston. Dr. Yunis joined Harvard Medical School in 1976 as Professor of Pathology and became Chief of the Division of Immunogenetics of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute that same year.

Dr. Yunis’ research is important to the genetic mapping of human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes and their role in immune responses, aging, and autoimmune diseases. An important function of Dr. Yunis’ laboratory work has been the identification of or typing for alleles of the major histocompatibility complex. The identification of HMC alleles and genotypes is important for matching donors and recipients for organ and stem cell transplantation.

Dr. Yunis will be honored at an award gala at the Museum of Science & Industry on Saturday, October 22, 2005. During Dr. Yunis’ visit to Tampa, he will host an educational symposium at the University of South Florida and the University of Tampa for Hispanic college students, medical students and staff. Dr. Yunis will also be hosted by Honorable Mayor Pam Iorio of Tampa, as well as Hispanic community leaders.

Furthering the mission of the National Hispanic Scientist of the Year Award, each year the honoree makes presentations to area Hispanic youth. During the “Meet the Hispanic Scientist Day”, MOSI will host 1,000 immigrant children, many of whom are experiencing MOSI for the first time. The message of these motivational presentations is focused on the importance of education in order to achieve their individual goals. During the “Meet the Hispanic Scientist Day” at MOSI on Friday, October 21, Dr. Yunis will make three presentations to Hispanic middle school students between the ages of 11 to 14.

Previous honorees include Dr. Antonia Coello Novello (2004), former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Mario Molina, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (2003), Fernando “Frank” Caldeiro, NASA Astronaut (2002), and Dr. Alejandro Acevedo-Gutierrez, Marine Biologist (2001).

Proceeds of MOSI’s National Hispanic Scientist of the Year Gala support scholarships for Hispanic boys and girls to participate in MOSI’s Youth Enriched by Science program, known as the YES! Team.

Established in 1991, this program offers students in grades 7 through 12 an opportunity to participate in tiered-mentoring, career-ladder, educational enrichment and vocational training programs at MOSI. The focus of the YES! Team program is to help increase the youth’s self-esteem and self-confidence by encouraging and motivating students to pursue science both as a career and as an essential element of their total education by developing critical thinking and problem solving skills, strengthening oral and written communication skills, establishing good work habits, and incorporating their ideas into museum programs. Many of MOSI’s YES! Team members have gone on to successful careers such as professorships at MIT and local science educators.

MOSI is the largest science center in the Southeastern United States and home of the only IMAX® Dome Theatre in the state of Florida. Kids In Charge!, The Children’s Science Center at MOSI, will be positioned as the largest children’s science center in the nation. MOSI exhibits and educational programs not only motivate learning by applying science to daily life, they encourage inquiry, creative thinking and problem solving.