The Triangle

Issue date: 12/5/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Dov Jaron

Dov Jaron, Calhoun-distinguished professor of Engineering in Medicine in the school of Biomedical Engineering, has become the first-ever Drexel professor elected to the Executive Board of the International Council of Science.

The ICSU is a non-governmental organization representing a global membership that includes both national scientific bodies and internatinal scientific unions. ICSU uses research to address major issues for both society and science. Biomedical Engineering is represented in the ICSU through the International Union for Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine.

One of the initiatives that Jaron is working on for ICSU is "Systems Approach to the Analysis of Health and Well Being in the Changing Urban Environment."

According to Jaron, this initiative is "researching how to improve health in cities through water sources, sanitation, transportation, and crime," and making suggestions to authoritative figures in city governments. This initiative, still in the planning process, is expected to become a major interdisciplinary program for ICSU.

The Council also advocates freedom in the conduct of science, promotes equitable access to scientific data, and facilitates scientific education and capacity building. The General Assembly is the highest authority of ICSU and consists of representatives of the Scientific Union Members and of the National Scientific Members.

There are seven officers in the Executive Board, four union members, including Jaron, as well as four national members. The union and national members are elected from members of the General Assembly. The General Assembly consists of representatives from the scientific union members and the national scientific members. The General Assembly meets every three years to discuss policies and priorities and then the Executive Board reviews the proposed decisions item by item and decides how to deal with any potentially difficult problems

"ICSU works intimately with the United Nations," Jaron said. ICSU also works with International Organizations such as the European Science Foundation and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations.

There are 30 scientific unions and 116 scientific academies including the United States Science Academy in ICSU. Each union affiliated with ICSU has four representatives that can be elected to the Executive Board.

Jaron's election to the Executive Board of ICSU gives Drexel University more prestige as a University as well as recognition on a global level.

"Hopefully this will recruit more graduate and undergraduate students to Drexel" Jaron said.

James Nong, a freshman biomedical school student said, "This is a great prospect for Drexel students."

Mike Goodman, another freshman biomed student, said, "The University has more recognition on an international scale, which is important for future job opportunities."

Jaron received his Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 1967. His research contributions have been in the "development of cardiac assist appliances and microcirculation," according to Jaron.

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