Naming Ceremony and Dedication Event Recap

On January 27, 2004, the University held an historic ceremony to announce its intention to change its name to Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.

The dedication event championed the scientific contributions of Rosalind Franklin, Ph.D., the brilliant British scientist whose research led to the discovery of the structure of DNA.The University also unveiled new research, clinical, educational and community service initiatives that reflect Dr. Franklin's life's commitment to discovery. The University is the first medical institution in the United States to recognize a female scientist through an honorary namesake.

The featured participants of the visual and interactive 'experiential' event were K. Michael Welch, MB, ChB, FRCP; Sally Ride, Ph.D.; Roland Franklin; Colin Franklin; Rosalind Franklin Jekowsky; and Seetal Adhikari, President of Student Council.

A panel discussion titled "Rosalind Franklin: A Life in Discovery" was held, featuring Marcia B. Cohen, M.D. as moderator. The panelists included John Barnett, Lynne Osman Elkin, Ph.D., Raymond Gosling, Ph.D., Brenda Maddox, David Moss, Ph.D., David Mueller, Ph.D. and Clare Sansom, Ph.D.

Rosalind Franklin Family & Friends Reunite
For the first, and likely last, time in history, family, friends, colleagues and long-time admirers of the late Rosalind Franklin flew in from all parts of the world to honor her memory by participating in this very personal ceremony. Two of Dr. Franklin's siblings, Roland and Colin spoke on behalf of their sister and extended their family's gratitude for this honor.

They were joined by many of Rosalind Franklin's nieces and nephews, as well as former colleagues, including Raymond Gosling, Ph.D., a former graduate student who studied under Dr. Franklin at King's College in London.

Additionally, Sally K. Ride, Ph.D., America's first woman in space, received the first annual "Life in Discovery" award for her contributions to science and discovery.

The ceremony concluded when Rosalind Franklin Jekowsky, niece and namesake of the late Rosalind, asked all guests to participate in a moment of silence to honor her aunt.

Also, key individuals who have been directly impacted or inspired by Dr. Franklin's research provided personal stories and insight into her life. The panelists included:

• John Barnett, Managing Director at South Pacific Pictures (New Zealand), who is producing a film about Rosalind Franklin;

• Lynne Osman Elkin, Ph.D., Professor of biological sciences at California State University in Hayward, who has dedicated much of her studies to researching Rosalind Franklin's scientific contributions;

• Raymond Gosling, Ph.D., Graduate student who conducted research with Rosalind Franklin at King's College in 1950;

• Brenda Maddox, Author of Rosalind Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA;

• David Moss, Ph.D., Professor of Biomolecular Structure at School of Crystallography at Birkbeck College in London;

• David Mueller, Ph.D., Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science;

• Clare Sansom, Ph.D., Teaching Fellow at Birkbeck College in London.

"When I read her story, I was truly inspired by Rosalind Franklin's contribution to arguably the most significant discovery in modern biology and the fact that the young scientist went unrecognized and sadly died too young to recover her claim," said John Barnett. "I am honored to be a part of this event that truly acknowledges all aspects of Rosalind Franklin's life including her dedication and determination to change humankind through science and innovation."

Future Initiatives Unveiled
The University also set forth its new vision, 'Life in Discovery,' that both alludes to the life's work of Rosalind Franklin and re-establishes the school's commitment to creating an educational environment that provides the next generation of health and biomedical professionals with skills focusing on predictive and preventive medicine, new integrated models of education and healthcare delivery, as well as opportunities to conduct cutting-edge biomedical research and serve the community in innovative ways.

During the ceremony, accomplished professors and researchers from the University announced future initiatives that align with the University's vision. These initiatives include:

• The creation of the University's first of several endowed chairs, the Rosalind Franklin Chair of Biochemistry.

• The naming and development of the Rosalind Franklin Structural Biology Laboratories at the University.

• The creation of the Rosalind Franklin University -- Center for Women's Health

• Discussions of a strategic partnership and ongoing collaboration with structural biology programs at Birkbeck College, where Rosalind Franklin worked in her final years;

• Kick-off of a national campaign to include Rosalind Franklin in elementary and high school science curriculums.

"We are very proud of our 92-year history and our unique integrative educational model which has enabled more than 14,000 students to receive degrees to practice medicine and serve the community," said Mr. Stuart Levine, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. "We believe our University parallels the life of Rosalind, as we are both pioneers on the cutting-edge of research, knowledge creation and scientific discovery, and also have a fiercely tenacious spirit and determination that can motivate and create positive changes in science and medicine."

Special Thanks and Recognition
The university would like to gratefully acknowledge the ongoing support of the following individuals:

The Family of Rosalind E. Franklin
Roland and Nina Franklin
Colin and Charlotte Franklin
Jennifer and Ian Glynn
Caroline and Shlomo Friedfertig
Richard Franklin
Melanie and Tony Lee
Jonathon and Jennifer Franklin
Rosalind and Barry Jekowsky
Martin and Julie Franklin

Chancellor of the University
Marshall A. Falk, M.D.

President and Chief Executive Officer
K. Michael Welch, MB, ChB, FRCP

University Board of Trustees
Chairman: Stuart P. Levine
Secretary/Treasurer: Robert J. Weinstein, M.D.
Anthony W. Gargiulo, D.D.S.
Jacob Kiferbaum
Cheryl Kraff-Cooper, M.D.
Sam Lipshitz, M.D.
Lester H. McKeever, Jr.
Melvin K. Roseman, M.D.
Melvin C. Rosenberg
Ruth M. Rothstein
Herbert Tetenbaum, M.D.

Academic Administration
K. Michael Welch, MB, ChB, FRCP, President and CEO, Dean, The Chicago Medical School
Nancy W. Garn, M.S., Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Timothy R. Hansen, Ph.D., Vice President for Faculty and Educational Affairs; Chief Academic Officer
Nabih M. Ramadan, M.D., Vice President for Clinical and External Affairs
Margot A. Surridge, M.A., Vice President for Finance and Administration
Michael P. Sarras, Jr., Ph.D., Vice President for Research; Dean, The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Wendy Rheault, Ph.D., P.T., Dean, The College of Health Professions
Terence B. Albright, D.P.M., Dean, The Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine

Special Acknowledgement
The University would like to make a special acknowledgement of David M. Mueller, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology.

"Life in Discovery" Video Participants
Marc S. Abel, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy; Director, Office of Educational Technology
Ryan Braun, CMS Class of 2004
Ian Duncan, CMS Class of 2006
Saba Elderkin, CMS Class of 2006
Anna Hallbergson, M.D./Ph.D. program, Class of 2005
Timothy R. Hansen, Ph.D., Vice President for Faculty and Educational Affairs; Chief Academic Officer
Joanne Kwak-Kim, M.D., Director, Women's Health Division at University Clinics; Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology & Immunology; Associate Professor and Assistant Chair, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Jessica Levine, CHP Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2004
Karona Mason, D.P.M., Assistant Professor and Chair, Department of Biomechanics and Orthopedic Diseases
Stephanie McKee, CHP Physician Assistant Class of 2005
Monica L. Miles, M.D., Director, Office for Multicultural Affairs; Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; CMS Class of 1991
David M. Mueller, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel A. Peterson, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Neuroscience
Steven Porter, SCPM Class of 2006
Nabih M. Ramadan, M.D., Vice President for Clinical and External Affairs; Professor and Chair, Department of Neurology
Tara Teppen, SGPDS (Neuroscience) Class of 2004
Nutan Atre Vaidya, M.D., Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Director of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry
John Vitale, M.H.S., Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Program Director and Clinical Coordinator, Pathologists' Assistant Program
D. Eric Walters, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
K. Michael Welch, MB, ChB, FRCP, President and Chief Executive Officer and Dean, The Chicago Medical School
Marina E. Wolf, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Neuroscience

Many thanks to the University's students, faculty, staff and alumni, who have supported the pursuit of a thoughtful brand strategy and have contributed to the planning of this event.

Countless individuals have helped make this day possible.
Photos of the day's events to come. Please check back soon.

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Biographies

Keynote Speaker

Sally K. Ride, Ph.D.
Sally K. Ride, Ph.D., former NASA Astronaut, was born on May 26, 1951, in Los Angeles, California. She received bachelor's degrees in both physics and English from Stanford University in 1973, and obtained her doctorate in physics from Stanford in 1978. Dr. Ride was selected for astronaut training in 1978. As part of her training, she was a member of the support crew for both the second and third space shuttle flights.

Dr. Ride flew in space twice. Her first flight was aboard the space shuttle Challenger in 1983. During the mission, the five-member crew deployed communications satellites for Canada and Indonesia, performed the first satellite deployment and retrieval with the shuttle's robot arm, and conducted materials and pharmaceutical research. Dr. Ride's second spaceflight was also aboard Challenger, in October 1984.

Dr. Ride left NASA in the Fall of 1987, and is currently a professor of physics at the University of California, San Diego, researching nonlinear beam-wave interactions connected with free electron lasers and related nonlinear systems. She is also co-founder and CEO of Imaginary Lines, Inc., a company dedicated to encouraging young girls of middle school age to pursue math and science.

Dr. Ride also served as president of the Internet company SPACE.com. Dr. Ride is a former member of the President's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology, has received the Jefferson Award for Public Service, and has twice been awarded the National Spaceflight Medal.
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Moderator

Marcia B. Cohen, M.D.
Dr. Marcia B. Cohen is a medical correspondent for CNN Headline News. Dr. Cohen, a practicing pathologist at Worcester Pathology Associates, plays an important role in the network's medical news coverage. Dr. Cohen joined the network in 2002 and is based in Boston.
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Panelists

John Barnett
John Barnett is Managing Director at South Pacific Pictures
(New Zealand), producers of the international award-winning film Whale Rider. John is currently developing a feature film of the life of Rosalind Franklin, based on the book by Brenda Maddox, Rosalind Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA.
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Lynne Osman Elkin, Ph.D.
Dr. Lynne Osman Elkin is a professor of biological sciences at California State University, Hayward. Dr. Elkin began researching Rosalind Franklin in connection with teaching a course on "Achievements of Women in Science." In 1999, after reading original archival papers relating to Dr. Franklin, Dr. Elkin was inspired to write a biography on Dr. Franklin.
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Raymond Gosling, Ph.D.
Dr. Raymond Gosling was a graduate student assigned to Rosalind Franklin when she began work at King's College in 1951. As his academic supervisor, Dr. Franklin worked closely with Gosling to perfect the technique of X-ray diffraction photography of DNA and together took the famous Photo 51. Dr. Gosling currently is a lecturer and reader at Guy's Hospital Medical School, and Professor and Emeritus Professor in Physics Applied to Medicine.
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Brenda Maddox
Brenda Maddox is an award-winning biographer whose work has been translated into ten languages. In 2002, Ms. Maddox wrote Rosalind Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA, which tells the complete story of Rosalind Franklin's life. She has served as chairman of the Association of British Science Writers and is currently a member of the Royal Society's Science and Society Committee.
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David Moss, Ph.D.
Dr. David Moss is a professor of Biomolecular Structure and head of the School of Crystallography at Birkbeck College in London. Dr. Moss is currently researching various topics in molecular biology, bioinformatics and protein crystallography.
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David Mueller, Ph.D.
Dr. David Mueller is a professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Dr. Mueller has conducted extensive research on the structure/function relationship of the mitochondrial ATP synthase using X-ray diffraction and the biochemical basis of Batten disease.
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Clare Sansom, Ph.D.
Dr. Clare Sansom is a teaching fellow at the School of Crystallography at Birkbeck College and serves as freelance bioinformatics consultant. Dr. Sansom is also a freelance science writer for journals and magazines including The Lancet, Scripts World Pharmaceutical News and Science's Next Wave.
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