Kara Wegermann, MD, a fellow in Gastroentergology, will receive The Mario Family Foundation Award, which supports junior investigators in training to make the transition to become independent scientists and planning for their first extra-mural funding.
Dr. Wegermann's project is "Race-Related Alternative RNA Splicing in Hepatocellular Carcinoma."
The Mario Family Foundation was founded by Ernest Mario, PhD, in 1997. Dr. Mario is a native of New Jersey. He received a bachelor of science in Pharmacy from Rutgers University, and Masters and PhD degrees in Physical Sciences from the University of Rhode Island. During his distinguished career, he held a variety of leadership roles in several pharmaceutical companies. In recognition of his leadership in the pharmaceutical industry and support for the school, the Rutgers school of pharmacy was renamed the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy in 2002. Dr. Mario served on the Duke Board of Trustees, and he was chairman of the Duke University Health System board of directors. He was named Trustee Emeritus of Duke University in 2007, and is the second longest serving trustee in the school’s history. He was awarded The University Medal in 2009, Duke’s highest recognition of service to the school.