Karen Gale
Karen Gale | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 14, 1948 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | August 21, 2014 (aged 65) |
| Alma mater | |
| Years active | 1977–2014 |
| Employer | Georgetown University |
Karen Gale (October 14, 1948 – August 21, 2014) was an American neuroscientist whose work advanced the understanding of neural mechanisms underlying epilepsy and seizures. She was known for her research on the neural circuitry related to seizure propagation, mechanisms of seizure-induced neuroprotection, and damage, as well as the effects of early life exposure to anticonvulsant drugs.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Born in New York City, Karen Gale attended the High School of Music and Art in Manhattan, earned an undergraduate degree from University of Michigan, and a PhD in Psychology from the University of Washington in 1975. After working alongside Erminio Costa at the National Institute of Mental Health, Gale joined the faculty at Georgetown University.[2]
Career
[edit]Research
[edit]Gale's 37-year career began in the field of pharmacology as an assistant professor at Georgetown University Medical Center’s Department of Pharmacology in 1977, where she rose rapidly through the faculty ranks. She was instrumental in establishing and leading the Georgetown Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience and was a founding member of the Georgetown Women in Medicine.[3]
One of Gale's pivotal discoveries involved identifying the basal ganglia nuclei's critical role in controlling epilepsy and elucidating the involvement of a region in the piriform cortex, which she termed “Area Tempestas,” in the genesis of seizures.[4][5]
Her work focused on subcortical circuitry, exploring its pharmacological manipulation and impact on behavior. Gale became known for her pioneering research on the roles of subcortical structures, including the substantia nigra, in seizure control and propagation.
In addition to epilepsy research, Gale made substantial contributions to understanding comorbidities of epilepsy, the neurobiology of Parkinsonism, and the effects of cocaine-induced hyperkinesias.[6]
Scientific publishing
[edit]Gale published extensively, contributing 175 articles to leading scientific journals, earning the Epilepsy Research Recognition Award from the American Society of Pharmacology and Therapeutics in 1995 and the posthumous Extraordinary Contribution Award from the American Epilepsy Society.[7][8]
Educator
[edit]Gale mentored and supported the growth of upcoming scientists throughout her career. She was particularly involved in advocating for trainees, early career investigators, minority scientists, and women in science.[9] Recognizing the need for interdisciplinary approaches in understanding complex neurological conditions, Dr. Gale established the Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience at Georgetown University, serving as its founding director from 1994 to 2003.[10]
Georgetown University commemorates her legacy through "The Karen Gale Memorial Lecture for Women in Neuroscience" and honored her with the prestigious Presidential Fellows Medal in October 2014.[11]
Awards
[edit]- Epilepsy Research Award from the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (1995)[12]
- Estelle Ramey Award (2001)[13]
- Georgetown University Faculty Senate Service Award (2014)[14]
- Society for Neuroscience Bernice Grafstein Award for Outstanding Accomplishments in Mentoring (2014)[15]
- American Epilepsy Society Extraordinary Contributions Award (2014)[16]
References
[edit]- ^ Stabile, Nicholas C. (2015-11-13). "A Memorial Lectureship Fitting for a Trailblazing Female Neuroscientist". Georgetown University Medical Center. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
- ^ Grayson, Dennis R. (2011-10-01). "Laboratory of molecular neurobiology (1988–1994)". Pharmacological Research. Fifty years of neuropharmacology, a tribute to Erminio Costa. 64 (4): 339–343. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2011.05.021. ISSN 1043-6618. PMID 21708255.
- ^ "Obituary, Karen N. Gale". Epilepsy & Behavior. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
- ^ Bröer, Sonja (2020-12-02). "Not Part of the Temporal Lobe, but Still of Importance? Substantia Nigra and Subthalamic Nucleus in Epilepsy". Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience. 14: 581826. doi:10.3389/fnsys.2020.581826. ISSN 1662-5137. PMC 7768985. PMID 33381016.
- ^ Vaughan, David N.; Jackson, Graeme D. (2014). "The Piriform Cortex and Human Focal Epilepsy". Frontiers in Neurology. 5: 259. doi:10.3389/fneur.2014.00259. ISSN 1664-2295. PMC 4259123. PMID 25538678.
- ^ Gey, Laura; Gernert, Manuela; Löscher, Wolfgang (2016-07-01). "Continuous bilateral infusion of vigabatrin into the subthalamic nucleus: Effects on seizure threshold and GABA metabolism in two rat models". Neurobiology of Disease. 91: 194–208. doi:10.1016/j.nbd.2016.03.012. ISSN 0969-9961. PMID 26976738. S2CID 3429096.
- ^ "Karen Gale, PhD". Default. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
- ^ "Google Scholar". scholar.google.com. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
- ^ "Washington-area obituaries of note". Washington Post. 2023-04-16. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
- ^ Stabile, Nicholas C. (2014-11-14). "Society for Neuroscience Honors Karen Gale for Mentoring, Promoting Women". Georgetown University Medical Center. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
- ^ "Gale's Legacy Honored Through Presidential Fellows Medal". Georgetown University Medical Center. 2014-10-17. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
- ^ "ASPET Award Archives". ASPET.org. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
- ^ "GWIM Annual Awards". Georgetown Women In Medicine. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
- ^ "Georgetown Faculty Senate Service Awards". Georgetown Faculty Senate. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
- ^ "Society for Neuroscience Honors Karen Gale for Mentoring, Promoting Women". Georgetown University Medical Center. 14 November 2014.
- ^ "Karen Gale, PhD". American Epilepsy Society. Retrieved 23 January 2024.