Washington, DC—June 6, 2012 Micah I. Krichevsky, Ph.D, Chairman, Bionomics International, has been honored with the prestigious 2012 Roche Diagnostics Alice C. Evans Award from the American Society for Microbiology. This award, established by ASM's Committee on the Status of Women in Microbiology, recognizes contributions toward the full participation and advancement of women in microbiology. Krichevsky "has demonstrated his commitment to the full participation and advancement of women in science and microbiology through his service on and his contributing work with the ASM Committee on the Status of Women in Microbiology (CSWM) and by his unending willingness to encourage, advise, mentor, and support individual women in their careers in microbiology," explains Candace McManus, formerly of the FDA. Krichevsky was nominated by Sara Rothman, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.
Krichevsky received his undergraduate degree at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, and his master's and doctoral degrees in Dairy Science at the University of Illinois, Urbana. His research career at the National Institutes of Health, primarily at the National Institute for Dental Research, spanned 34 years, serving as a Section Chief from 1967 until his retirement in 1992. He then established Bionomics International, a non-governmental organization.
Krichevsky has worked in several areas of microbiological research as well as parallel activities in human rights in science. His major research interests have included computer and instrument methodology, and the growth, physiology, and metabolism of bacteria of the oral cavity. He developed the first real-time computer analysis of chromatographic data, computer algorithms for double-label isotope composition calculations, and algorithms for real-time analysis of gas chromatograph/mass spectrometers. He also developed a standardized method for computer coding of microbiological phenotypic and macromolecular data for data entry, management, analysis and communication—the RKC Code. While computer independent, the Code can be coupled with the Microbial Information System (Micro-IS). The Micro-IS is constantly enhanced by taking advantage of modern computer programming techniques. The combination of the RKC Code and Micro-IS is used in various developed and developing countries.
Using his experience in acquiring and analyzing microbiological data, Krichevsky has developed extensive collaborations worldwide. He has organized and taught workshops and designed data banks for UNEP, UNIDO, ASM, SIM, NSF, and ICSU/CODATA.
"His sterling service on the NIH's Equal Employment Opportunity Committee earned him the Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Equal Employment Opportunity Program of the NIH in 1976," described Rothman. "During his service on that committee he advised and assisted numerous women in their efforts to achieve appropriate recognition and opportunities in an often hostile environment." "Krichevsky worked tirelessly on as many as eight cases in one year to help female scientists facing illegal discrimination and unfair treatment in the nation's foremost medical research institutes," added Anne Morris Hooke, Miami University. He continues his activities in human rights in science with an emphasis on international activities. He has also served as a member of the Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women for the American Society of Biological Chemists. Currently he is an active consulting participant in CSWM programs.
Krichevsky continues to advise and support persons who feel they have been denied equal opportunity in the workplace. "I hold him in the highest esteem and believe he is a more than worthy candidate for this prestigious award," summarizes Hooke.
To view Dr. Krichevsky's biosketch, please visit: http://www.asm.org/index.php/awards-grants/current-roche-diagnostics-alice-c-evans-award-laureate.html
The Roche Diagnostics Alice C. Evans Award will be presented during the 112th General Meeting of the ASM, June 16 - 19, 2012 in San Francisco, California. ASM is the world's oldest and largest life science organization and has more than 40,000 members worldwide. ASM's mission is to advance the microbiological sciences and promote the use of scientific knowledge for improved health and economic and environmental well‐being.