Newswise — University of Illinois at Chicago psychiatry professor Dr. Bennett Leventhal has received the Star of Science Award from the Children's Brain Research Foundation.
Leventhal, director of the Center for Child Mental Health and Developmental Neuroscience at UIC's Institute for Juvenile Research, was recognized for his "contributions to advancing the diagnosis and care of children and adolescents with brain disorders and brain injury" at a Sept. 21 event in Chicago.
An internationally-renowned child and adolescent psychiatrist, Leventhal's research focuses on disruptions in brain development that interfere with social functioning, including the molecular genetics of autism and the prenatal origins of disruptive behavior disorders.
His scientific contributions are broad and include leadership of a national network of basic and clinical scientists working to identify the origins of mental disorders in the first years of life. Leventhal also guides research programs in pediatric psychopharmacology, bullying, school-based prevention, epidemiology and the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism.
"Dr. Leventhal has an unquenchable thirst for scientific knowledge that will reduce the burden of childhood mental disorders. He eagerly, fiercely and sometimes brashly pursues truth in its highest form through rigorous intellectual interchange and scientific investigation," said Lauren Wakschlag, UIC associate professor of psychology in psychiatry at the Institute for Juvenile Research, as she described her mentor and collaborator at the awards ceremony.
Known for his ability to mentor clinical scientists and foster relationships with a wide array of colleagues, his sole priority is to improve mental health care and research for children.
"He moves from the molecular to the moment-to-moment transactions of clinical care with ease and grace," said Wakschlag.
"This is a man who will do whatever it takes to make a difference in the lives of children," she said.
Leventhal's work has served to influence policy and practice for children's mental health. He recently received a medal from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recognizing him as one of the major contributors to the field in the past half century.
The Children's Brain Research Foundation</a> is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of children and adolescents who have problems with brain development and function. The Foundation believes neuroscience research is the key to prevention, early diagnosis, effective treatment and curing brain disorders in children and adolescents.
The Foundation also presented the Star of Leadership Award to Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan.
UIC ranks among the nation's top 50 universities in federal research funding and is Chicago's largest university with 25,000 students, 12,000 faculty and staff, 15 colleges and the state's major public medical center. A hallmark of the campus is the Great Cities Commitment, through which UIC faculty, students and staff engage with community, corporate, foundation and government partners in hundreds of programs to improve the quality of life in metropolitan areas around the world. For more information about UIC, visit www.uic.edu
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