Inside Duke Medicine

Achievement award goes to the late Katz

The late Lawrence Katz, Ph.D., was honored this week by the Society for Neuroscience (SfN), receiving a science achievement award during the organization’s annual meeting.

“These science achievement awards span the field of neuroscience, honoring those early in their career as well as senior scientists, and those who promote the advancement of women in the field,” says Eve Marder, Ph.D., president of SfN.

Katz is the recipient of the Patricia Goldman-Rakic Hall of Honor. The posthumous Hall of Honor was established in 2001 and renamed in 2003 after the sudden death of world-renowned neuroscientist Patricia Goldman-Rakic. The posthumous award recognizes sustained exceptional achievements in neuroscience as evidenced by publications, inventions, and/or awards, as well as a demonstrated high degree of imagination, innovation, and initiative in the pursuit of neuroscience, and a dedication to facilitating the advancement of women in neuroscience.

Lawrence Katz was tragically taken by melanoma in November 2005. His outstanding scientific accomplishments were recognized by his being named a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator in 1996 and the James B. Duke Professor of Neurobiology at Duke University in 1998.

Katz made seminal discoveries in cortical development and circuitry with an emphasis on the visual system. He defined novel aspects of neurotrophin signaling and regulation in the central nervous system; designed and developed new technologies and methods that transformed fields ranging from photostimulation to fluorescent latex microspheres to biolostics; and most recently provided fundamental insight into the functional organization of the olfactory system.

During his time at Duke, Katz trained many students and postdoctoral fellows, many of whom have gone on to conduct their own high-quality research at prestigious institutions around the world.

Stephen Shea, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow who worked with Katz, comments, “Larry was so inventive, energetic, and charismatic, that he didn’t just make his lab fun - he made his entire field more fun. My time working for him will undoubtedly always stand as a true highlight of my scientific career, and I will carry his influence with me wherever I go.”

Benjamin Arenkiel, Ph.D., another postdoctoral fellow who worked with Katz, adds, “Larry conducted the highest level of science.  He pursued the answers to some of the most complex biological problems with an unmatched creativity and enthusiasm. Most importantly, he always relayed and cultivated that energy to his students, postdocs, and colleagues both at Duke and around the world. Although my time with Larry (like many others) was way too brief, his memory inspires me on a daily basis to always pursue the interesting problems with rigor, innovation, and creativity.”