Rebeck Honored at Georgetown’s Fall Faculty Convocation

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(November 2, 2017) — Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia awarded a 2017 President’s Award for Distinguished Scholar-Teachers to G. William Rebeck, PhD, MFA, a professor of neuroscience at Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC).

Rebeck, director of Georgetown’s Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, received the medal October 24 during the Fall Faculty Convocation in Gaston Hall.

Models for All

“These awards celebrate individuals who have made an exceptional impact on our community through the integration of ambitious research and extraordinary student engagement,” wrote Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia in announcing the 2017 awards.

Physics professor James K. Freericks, PhD, and classics professor Alexander Sens, PhD, were also selected for the annual award. (All three 2017 award winners are profiled in this video .)

“By naming these Presidential Fellows we hold them up as models for us all,” said Georgetown University Provost Robert Groves. “As the years progress the group of Presidential Fellows will represent a definition of what is the best at Georgetown.”

From GUMC, Richard Schlegel, PhD, Karen Gale, PhD, and Anton Wellstein, PhD, are past recipients of the President’s Award.

For Rebeck, the Convocation delivered the opportunity to share his achievements with family.

“My elderly parents came from Cincinnati to see the ceremony, which meant so much to me,” he said.

Alzheimer’s Disease Research

Rebeck leads a group of graduate and undergraduate researchers to study the molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease, particularly related to its strongest genetic risk factor, APOE. They use animal models, biochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and cell biology to determine why APOE affects Alzheimer’s disease and how to prevent the disease in the individuals genetically at risk.

Many of the Rebeck lab graduates have successful research careers, including several who now direct their own labs on different forms of neurodegeneration at Georgetown and other institutions.

Rebeck joined GUMC in 2003 and served as interim dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences from July 2013 through December 2014. He is also co-founder of the Georgetown Operating Theatre with professor Susan Lynskey, MFA.

Karen Teber
GUMC Communications