NBSTRN would like to congratulate Dr. Kenneth Pass on his lifetime of achievements to newborn screening. Dr. Pass served as the New York State Newborn Screening Program Director for over 28 years and was Chief of the Laboratory of Genetics Services where he was responsible for the state’s Newborn Screening Program. He also served as deputy director of the Wadsworth Center’s Division of Genetic Disorders. While serving as Director of the New York State Newborn Screening program, Dr. Pass introduced new screening methods for biotinidase deficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia and Krabbe disease. His research discoveries lead to the development of multiplex assays that screen for Congenital Hypothyroidism, Cystic Fibrosis, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplaisa, SCID and autism. Dr. Pass contributed on many new developments for the New York Newborn Screening program. With his leadership, New York became the first state to test for HIV in newborns and the first to test for lysosomal storage disorders.
Dr. Pass’s is trained in phycology from the Medical College of South Carolina in Charleston. Over the years, he has been a major player in the increased level of research in newborn screening technology for hemoglobin disorders, and has been a great leader in discussions surrounding the ethical issues of expansion of genetic technology and information.
Many individuals have benefitted from hearing Dr. Pass speak on newborn screening. “During our fifteen minute conversation, Ken educated me on the challenges and benefits of newborn screening programs throughout the world. I was immediately inspired, to such an extent that newborn screening continues to be an area that fuels my passion for science and discovery,” Wrote Suzanne Kennedy, PhD and Director of Research and Development at Mo Bio Laboratories in California.
Dr. Pass has published over 80 peer reviewed papers, eight book chapters and has lectured all over the world on newborn screening. We are very proud of Dr. Pass’s lifelong effort to newborn screening research!
Sources:
http://bitesizebio.com/articles/newborn-screening-saving-lives-the-molec...