On March 23, at a session in conjunction with the Gordon Research Conference on Lymphatics in Ventura, CA, LE&RN Spokesperson and Academy Award-winning actress Kathy Bates will present LE&RN's 2016 Wendy Chaite Leadership Award to Prof. Melody Swartz of the Institute for Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago.

Dr. Swartz has made significant contributions to the advancement of lymphatic research and, as an internationally recognized pioneer in lymphatic bioengineering, has trained many young scientists as lymphatic researchers and helped drive the integration of lymphatic research within the fields of mechanobiology and immunology.

Since 1993, Dr. Swartz has dedicated herself almost entirely to lymphatic research. Her work has impacted our understanding of lymphedema, lymphangiogenesis in wound healing and tumor progression, lymphatic immunobiology, and lymphatic physiology in immunity and vaccination. Her lab has also developed new tools, including tissue engineered models of lymphangiogenesis and the mouse tail model of secondary lymphedema.

Dr. Swartz serves on LE&RN's Scientific and Medical Advisory Council.