Leading anesthesiologists who have dedicated their careers to scientific inquiry and the achievements they’ve brought to the specialty and practice of anesthesiology were acknowledged during Monday’s Celebration of Research.

“These anesthesiologists have become international leaders in their specialty,” said moderator Evan D. Kharasch, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Anesthesiology and Vice Chair for Innovation, Director of Academic Entrepreneurship, Duke University School of Medicine, and Editor-in-Chief of Anesthesiology.

Lee Fleisher, M.D., presented the FAER Mentoring Excellence in Research award to Charles W. Emala, M.D., the Henrik H. Bendixen Professor of Anesthesiology and Vice Chair of Research at New York’s Columbia University Department of Anesthesiology. Dr. Emala’s overarching goal is to identify novel therapies targeting interactions that contribute to diseases such as asthma. Throughout his career, Dr. Emala has mentored multiple faculty, fellows and residents.

“Even with his extremely busy schedule, Dr. Emala always keeps his door open to discuss disease findings or research ideas,” Dr. Fleisher said, quoting a medical student with whom Dr. Emala mentors.

Beverly A. Orser, M.D., Ph.D., FRCPC, FCAHS, was presented with the Excellence in Research Award.

Beverly A. Orser, M.D., Ph.D., FRCPC, FCAHS, Chair and Professor in the Department of Anesthesia at the University of Toronto, was presented with the Excellence in Research Award for her research involving receptors and networks underlying general anesthesia as they relate to learning and knowledge, including delirium. She asked the question: “Are changes in the GABA-A receptor contributing to the problem?” The award represents outstanding achievement that is likely to have an impact on the field of anesthesiology and a sustained contribution to the advancement of the science of anesthesiology.

“Growing up, there were no investigators in my family,” Dr. Orser said. “Research was an unlikely career choice. All of the young people on the science kits were male.”

Still, Dr. Orser didn’t let the lack of female role models deter her.

“As many of you build your career, you may not see yourself reflected in those around you. You may need to write your own narrative. The greatest barriers are the ones we subconsciously internalize. You will need to envision yourself in an exciting new role,” she said.

On Monday, Dr. Orser was elected to the National Academy of Medicine, one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine.

Brian T. Bateman, M.D., M.Sc., received the James E. Cottrell Presidential Scholar Award.

Brian T. Bateman, M.D., M.Sc., received the James E. Cottrell Presidential Scholar Award for his research on prenatal and pediatric pharmacoepidemiology — the use of big data to study drug safety in pregnancy. Dr. Bateman is Chief of the Division of Obstetric Anesthesia in the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine and a researcher in the Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics in the Department of Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston. The award is given to anesthesiologists who dedicate their formative careers to research. They must be within 10 years of their first faculty appointment to a department of anesthesiology and board-certified in their country of practice.

Winners of the ASA Resident Research Award included Andrew M. Slupe, M.D., Ph.D., from Oregon Health & Science (first place) and Yinhui Zhou, M.D., from The First Affiliated Hospital, ZhengZhou, Henan. The award recognizes resident and fellow engagement in research and rewards excellence in original basic, clinical or population/health services research, as reported in an original, unpublished manuscript.