UMSOM Graduation

Diana W. Bianchi, M.D., is the director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and head of the Prenatal Genomics and Therapy Section for the Medical Genetics Branch at NHGRI. She oversees the research on pediatric health and development, maternal health, reproductive health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and rehabilitation medicine, among other areas. These efforts include managing a staff of approximately 1,400 people and an annual budget of approximately $1.3 billion. Dr. Bianchi serves as an ambassador and spokesperson for NICHD.

Dr. Bianchi received her B.A. magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania and her M.D. from Stanford University School of Medicine. She completed her residency training in pediatrics at the Children's Hospital, Boston, and her postdoctoral fellowship training in medical genetics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, both at Harvard. She is board-certified in all three specialties and is a practicing medical geneticist with special expertise in reproductive genetics.

Dr. Bianchi's translational research focuses on two broad themes: prenatal genomics with the goal of advancing noninvasive prenatal DNA screening and diagnosis, and investigating the fetal transcriptome to develop new therapies for genetic disorders that can be given prenatally.

Dr. Bianchi has published over 300 peer-reviewed articles, and she is one of four authors of Fetology: Diagnosis and Management of the Fetal Patient. This book won the Association of American Publishers award for best textbook in clinical medicine in 2000. The second edition was published in April 2010 and is in its third printing. It has been translated into Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish.

Dr. Bianchi is recognized widely for her leadership roles. She spent 23 years at Tufts Medical Center, where she was the founding executive director of the Mother Infant Research Institute, as well as the Natalie V. Zucker Professor of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tufts University School of Medicine. Dr. Bianchi also was the vice chair for Pediatric Research at the Floating Hospital for Children, Boston. From 2011 through 2015, she served on the National Advisory Council of NICHD. She is currently editor-in-chief of the international journal Prenatal Diagnosis and is a past president of the International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis and the Perinatal Research Society. She is a former member of the Board of Directors of the American Society for Human Genetics and a former council member of both the Society for Pediatric Research and the American Pediatric Society. She was elected to membership in the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) in 2013.

Dr. Bianchi has received three major lifetime achievement awards. The Colonel Harland D. Sanders Lifetime Achievement Award in Genetics, given in 2017 by the March of Dimes, recognized her pioneering work on maternal and fetal cellular communication, including their significance in disease and diagnostics, and for exploring treatments of fetal disorders. The Maureen Andrew Award for Mentoring, given in 2016 by the Society for Pediatric Research, recognized her commitment to mentoring the next generation of clinician-scientists. The Landmark Award, from the American Academy of Pediatrics, was given in 2015 in recognition of her research and contributions to genetics and newborn care.

Regalia: The Seven Scholars Bookstore will host a Grad Fair on Wednesday, March 27th from 11:00 AM till 6:00 PM and Thursday, March 28th from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the Student Center common area.

This exciting event will provide students:

• Regalia Fittings and Purchase Options
• Diploma Frames
• Rings
• Custom Announcements
• Professional Photography
• Keepsakes & Gifts
• Informational Tables, Alumni Associations

Grad Fair will include raffles and light refreshments.

If students are unable to attend the event, regalia will remain in stock at the bookstore for purchase up to the Commencement date. (Note: Please don’t wait until the last minute as size and stock isn’t guaranteed within 5 days of the event.) Online ordering will still be available for students who wish to have regalia home shipped ($15.95). Orders will be shipped directly from our vendor to the student as they are received. Reminder: Students will be able to purchase regalia directly at the bookstore during regular store hours. Our bookstore team can work with individuals who may have unique circumstances. Online Ordering is now live at Shopoakhalli. Individual components will be available for sale. Regalia items purchased at the bookstore can be returned up until Commencement.

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