University of Vermont

The University of Vermont Graduate College has announced that two College of Medicine faculty members have been named 2010-2011 University Scholars. James Hudziak, M.D., professor of psychiatry, pediatrics and medicine, and George Osol, Ph.D., professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences, were honored at an awards ceremony and reception for the new Scholars held at UVM on April 21.

The University Scholars program recognizes distinguished UVM faculty members for sustained excellence in research and scholarly activities. The Scholars are selected by a panel of prominent faculty, based upon nominations submitted by UVM colleagues.

Hudziak holds the Achenbach Chair in Developmental Psychopathology and is director of the Vermont Center for Children, Youth and Families. He joined UVM/Fletcher Allen Health Care in 1993. With support from the National Institute of Mental Health, various nonprofit foundations and the State of Vermont, Hudziak's research focuses on using twin, family and molecular genetic approaches to better understand genetic and environmental influences on a wide variety of child psychiatric conditions. He has published over 100 papers and chapters and 100 scientific abstracts and served as editor of Genetic and Environmental Influences on Developmental Psychopathology and Wellness (APPI Press, 2008). Hudziak received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota and completed his psychiatry residency and a fellowship in child psychiatry at Washington University in St. Louis before coming to UVM.

Osol, who joined the UVM faculty in 1982, also holds appointments in molecular physiology and biophysics and pharmacology. His research focuses on the growth and remodeling of the uterine circulation during pregnancy, a clinically-important process, because adequate uterine blood flow is necessary to ensure support of the placenta and growing fetus. If this process fails or is insufficient, several serious complications, such as preterm birth and preeclampsia — a condition characterized by high blood pressure, protein in the urine, swelling in the hands and face and sometimes seizures — can result. Osol's research seeks to identify which patterns, signals, and pathways are involved in the uterine blood flow process; determine how certain conditions, such as pregnancy and hypertension, affect this process; and examine how steroids and growth factors affect this function. He has published more than 100 scientific articles and abstracts. Osol earned a Ph.D. in reproductive physiology from UVM and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in ophthalmology at Tufts University-New England Medical Center and in physiology and biophysics at UVM.

For information, go to University Scholars Program. Updated information about the 2010-11 Scholars is expected to be posted in the next two weeks.