Balz Frei, Ph.D.
Director & Endowed Chair
Linus Pauling Institute

In August, I arrived at the Linus Pauling Institute and, with great anticipation, started my new position as the Institute's Director. These three months have been very busy, and I am truly excited and honored to have this unique opportunity to lead the Institute in the coming years.

Jung Suh, a graduate student who came with me from Boston University, and my research assistant, Deborah Hobbs, have been instrumental in setting up my laboratory, which is now fully operational.

Research Assistant Deborah Hobbs in the laboratory

Dr. Mark McCall, a senior research associate, has also joined my laboratory staff. He will be responsible for developing research projects, overseeing laboratory operations and cell culture facilities, training and supervising laboratory personnel, and writing research papers and grants. Mark has a very strong background and publication record in lipoprotein research related to atherosclerosis and heart disease. He got extensive training in this field in a world-renowned laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley.

In addition, I am in the process of hiring three postdoctoral fellows and have identified a number of highly qualified candidates among the 70 applications that I have received for these positions.

I am also finalizing the transfer of my research grants from Boston University to the Linus Pauling Institute. These are two major grants that I received from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one entitled "Anti-atherogenic Protection of LDL by Vitamin C," and the other "Vitamin C, Glutathione, and Endothelial Cell Function." These two grants were awarded to investigate the role of vitamin C and its mechanism of action in atherosclerosis and heart disease. I am proud to say that I am probably the only scientist in the United States holding two NIH-funded grants focusing on the role of vitamin C in human health and disease.

The search for the three tenure-track faculty positions in the Linus Pauling Institute is in full swing, and we received more than 140 applications for these positions. The search committee is now in the process of carefully evaluating the applicants (a formidable task!) to come up with a "short list" of 6 to 8 candidates who will be invited to the Institute for an interview and further evaluation. These three faculty will very substantially enhance and expand the research scope and productivity of the Institute and, thus, be pivotal for its long-term success and scientific reputation.

OSU faculty examining application materials for faculty candidates at the Linus Pauling Institute

We will soon initiate a seminar series for the Institute and have recently launched a new round of solicitations for pilot project grants sponsored by the Linus Pauling Institute. These events will enhance our presence and visibility on campus and strengthen our interactions and collaborations with departments and other institutes at the University.

As you can see, I have had my hands full since starting here on August 4, but I am enjoying my job enormously and am excited and proud to be part of the Institute. I am grateful for the warm welcome I have received from the University community and, particularly, from all the staff of the Institute. Most of all, I am grateful to you, our loyal supporters and donors who allow us to continue our research into the role of nutrition in human health and disease.

Last updated November, 1997

Please send any comments, suggestions, or questions about The Linus Pauling Institute to lpi@oregonstate.edu