2005

Researchers, including NYU Biology Professor Richard Borowsky, examined two populations of Mexican cavefish and found that albinism in both populations was linked to Oca2-a pigmentation gene also responsible for the most common form of albinism in humans. They observed different deletions in the gene in each population and found that both deletions cause a loss of Oca2’s functionality, demonstrating that the albinism in the two groups evolved independently.

NYU Philosophy Professor Thomas Nagel, whose research centers on political philosophy, ethics, and philosophy of mind, has received a Distinguished Achievement Award from the Mellon Foundation. The award, up to $1.5 million over three years, is “intended to recognize a small number of scholars in the humanities whose work has been of the highest caliber,” according to the New York-based foundation.

Dr. Branemark accepted the award via satellite TV live from Gothenburg, Sweden at the annual NYU Implant Symposium on December 9, 2005.