The presentation of the 2013 UCLA Chemistry & Biochemistry Alumni Award and commencement speeches presented by sisters, Dr. Judith Swain (UCLA B.S., 1970) and Dr. Julie Swain (UCLA B.S., 1970), is available for viewing online.
JUDITH L. SWAIN, M.D. & JULIE A. SWAIN, M.D. – RECIPIENTS OF THE UCLA CHEMISTRY & BIOCHEMISTRY 2013 ALUMNI AWARD AND PRESENTERS OF THE 2013 UCLA CHEMISTRY & BIOCHEMISTRY COMMENCEMENT SPEECH
Dr. Judith L. Swain received her B.S. degree in chemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1970, before going on to receive an M.D. from the University of California, San Diego. Her research interests are centered on assessing and enhancing human performance in extreme environments. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences within A*STAR, and as the Lien Ying Chow Professor of Medicine at the National University of Singapore. She previously served as the Dean for Translational Medicine and Founding Director of the College of Integrated Life Sciences (COILS) at the University of California, San Diego. Some of her previous positions and leadership roles include Chair of the Department of Medicine at Stanford University, Director of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, President of the American Society for Clinical Investigation, President of the American Association of Physicians, serving on the NIH National Advisory Research Resources Council, and member of the Defense Science Research Council of DARPA.
Dr. Judith Swain (left) & Dr. Julie Swain (Middle)
Dr. Julie A. Swain received her B.S. degree in chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles in 1970, before earning her M.D. from Baylor College of Medicine. Her research field is in the cerebral consequences of cardiac surgery. She most recently served as a cardiovascular surgeon at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Other previous positions include service as the acting Deputy Associate Administrator of the Office of Biological and Physical Research at NASA Headquarters. At NASA, she oversaw and managed the International Space Station research program and other science research programs in biology, biotechnology, biomedical research and the physical sciences. Some of Dr. Julie A. Swain’s previous services and positions also include serving as a member of NASA Directors’ Advisory Committee, Chair of the Cardiovascular Devices Advisory Panel of the FDA, civilian consultant for cardiac surgery quality assessment for the Department of Defense, and becoming the first woman to lead a cardiovascular surgery division in the U.S. when she held the position of Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery at Louisiana State University.
