Title:Lecture series highlights outstanding women in neuroscience

Ten years ago, Georgetown initiated a lecture series to honor the memory of Karen Gale, an internationally recognized leader in epilepsy research and neuroscience who died in 2014. Gale joined Georgetown in 1977, rising quickly through the ranks to become the chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology and founding director of the Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience.

Each year, the lecture features an outstanding woman scientist in neuroscience. On Oct. 9, Mariella De Biasi, professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, presented her work on understanding cholinergic mechanisms in addiction and mental illness. Cholinergic agents play a key role in transmitting neurologic signals that control a wide range of brain and body functions.

“Karen Gale was a stellar scientist, an advocate for science and scientists, and an extraordinary career mentor,” says Patrick Forcelli (G’11), chair and director of graduate studies of the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology at Georgetown University School of Medicine. “She understood the strength of bringing people from different fields together to study complex problems. She created a new model that grew into the first interdisciplinary program at Georgetown. Today, our neuroscience program, one of the largest Ph.D. programs at the Georgetown University Medical Center, remains a gem in graduate training and research.”

Gale’s research focused on understanding the neural factors that cause and control epileptic seizures and the ways in which the brain reacts to seizures. She also did important work studying the effect of exposure to anti-convulsant drugs in early life. Her work provided a deeper understanding of epilepsy that continues to influence research today.

“Karen always went above and beyond,” adds Forcelli. “She was actively involved in recruiting excellent young scientists and was committed to ensuring that we brought a diverse group of trainees into our program. She was such a strong, outspoken advocate for women in science and for early career scientists. I had the privilege of studying under her during my graduate training, and she was an inspiring career mentor. She was always asking what you needed to succeed and ready to be there for you.”

The Karen Gale Memorial Lecture is an enduring way to remember Karen Gale and honor her many contributions to Georgetown and the field of neuroscience. To learn more or make a contribution visit our Giving page.