Auerbach and Lema Receive Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence

Auerbach, professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities, which recognizes the work of those actively engaged in scholarly and creative pursuits beyond their teaching responsibilities.

A widely recognized leader in neuroscience, Auerbach has revolutionized the study of molecular biological processes, with broad-ranging implications for medical, scientific and mathematical research.

His cutting-edge research encompasses not only biophysics but also pharmacology, enzymology, structural biology, molecular biology, electrophysiology and mathematical modeling.

A prolific scholar, Auerbach has published eight book chapters and more than 80 journal articles. These include 10 papers published in top scientific journals, such as Nature and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, since 1999.

Auerbach has received numerous prestigious awards, including the National Institutes of Health’s Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award, which he won twice in the past 12 years. The award provides up to seven years of research funding from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Lema, professor and chair of the Department of Anesthesiology, was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service, which recognizes sustained, consistently superior service contributions of teaching faculty.

An internationally recognized expert in neuropathic pain, Lema has devoted much of his career to developing and teaching new pain-relief techniques.

He has published widely, contributing more than 175 articles in his field. He has been a member of 10 editorial boards for major journals and served as section editor of the award-winning clinical text “The American Society of Anesthesiologists: A Century of Challenges and Progress.”

In addition, Lema has been actively involved with numerous professional organizations and public health councils. He served as president of the American Society of Anesthesiology (2007), the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (2004) and the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists (2001).

Lema has received many honors recognizing his exemplary service record, most recently the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ Distinguished Service Award, the organization’s highest tribute for service and achievement.