Hamilton Receives Avanti Award in Lipids

Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) researcher James A. Hamilton, PhD, professor of biophysics and physiology, with joint appointments in biomedical engineering and medicine, is the recipient of the 2010 Avanti Award in Lipids.

This award is being bestowed by the Biophysical Society Award Committee for Hamilton’s innovative contributions in the application of nuclear magnetic resonance methods to phospholipids and fatty acids. The Biophysical Society is a professional, scientific society established to encourage development and dissemination of knowledge in biophysics.

Hamilton is one of eight recipients, including the Nobel Laureate Roger Tsien, who received an award at the Society’s 56th Annual Meeting earlier this year. The Society promotes growth in this expanding field through its annual meeting, monthly journal, and committee and outreach activities. Its 8,600 members are located throughout the U.S. and the world, where they teach and conduct research in colleges, universities, laboratories, government agencies, and industry.

Hamilton obtained a bachelor of science in chemistry from Juniata College in Huntington, Pa. and a PhD in biochemistry from Indiana University in Bloomington. His current research includes developing non-invasive MRI diagnostic tests to detect vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque and new MRI methods to detect specific components in plaques, such as fluid lipids. He also leads a multidisciplinary team that images heart functions and heart fat in type 2 diabetics. Hamilton has been a member of the faculty at BUSM for more than 30 years.