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Catch a screening of 'The Last Unicorn' at the Cinema Arts Centre on May 19.

PROGRAMS

Museum Day at the MCPL

Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach hosts its annual Museum Day at the Museum Corner on May 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. with 30 local organizations participating. Geared for children and their families, the event will feature science experiments, arts and crafts, live animal visits, and interaction with museum displays and artifacts. The event is free and no registration is required. 

Teen Driver Safety Program

The Brookhaven Highway Department will offer a Teen Driver Safety Program at Safety Town, 249 Buckley Road, Holtsville on May 16 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Teenagers 15 and older and their parents are invited to participate in an interactive experience exhibiting the dangers of texting or drinking and driving. Teens will then use electric cars to complete obstacle courses designed to simulate driving while texting and impaired. Free but by appointment only; call 631-451-5335 to reserve your spot.

First Steps Into Nature 

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown presents First Steps Into Nature: Superheroes for children ages 2 to 4 on May 17 at 9:30 a.m. Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more. $20 per child. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. 631-979-6344

Astronomy Day at the Vanderbilt

Join the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Reichert Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport in celebrating  Astronomy Day 2024 on May 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This Vanderbilt STEM education event will include exciting science, take-home materials, and engaging discussion about science and society. Participants will create nebula spin art, investigate constellations, explore craters, and much more! Members of the Astronomical Society of Long Island will display telescopes and give short presentations on how to use them. Activities are free to all visitors who pay general admission. www.vanderbiltmuseum.org

Art in the Barn

Walt Whitman Birthplace Association, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station presents Art in the Barn, storytime and hands-on art projects for pre-schoolers on May 18, 25 and June 1 at 11 a.m. $15 per child, $13 members. To register, visit waltwhitman.org/events.

THEATER

‘The Mystery of the Missing Ever After’

“Where in the world is our happy ending?” Stories collide and mysteries abound as three great princesses come together to solve The Mystery of the Missing Ever After at Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson from May 25 to June 15. A slipper, a spinning wheel, and a red, red rose are all clues in this hilarious new musical! All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘Seussical the Musical’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its children’s theater with Seussical the Musical from June 1 to June 30. “Oh the Thinks You Can Think!” Dive into the colorful world of Dr. Seuss as The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who sets off to save a speck of dust containing The Whos from destruction. Horton must protect the Whos from a world of doubters while guarding an abandoned egg, left to his care. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, imagination, loyalty, and community are challenged and emerge victorious. Tickets are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

FILM

‘The Last Unicorn’

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema for Kids! series with a screening of The Last Unicorn on May  19 at noon. In this animated musical, the villainous King Haggard plots to destroy all the world’s unicorns. When a young unicorn learns that she’s in danger and that she may soon be the last of her kind, she enlists the help of Schmendrick the sorcerer. Tickets are $13 adults, $5 children 12 and under. www.cinemaartscentre.org

Send your calendar events to [email protected]

 

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB DYLAN! The Kennedys will join Bob Dylan's 83rd Birthday Celebration at the Long Island Museum on May 19. Photo by Suzy Allman
Ongoing

Flip Circus at Whitman Shops

Flip Circus heads to the Walt Whitman Shops, 160 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station from May 17 to May 29. Experience the magical moments under red and white big top with trapeze artists, acrobats, jugglers and more! Showtimes are Monday to Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. For tickets visit www.flipcircus.com.

Bald Hill Fair

Dreamland Amusements brings the Bald Hill Fair to the Catholic Health Amphitheater, 1 Ski Run Lane, Farmingville from May 9 to 19 with whimsical kiddie rides, state-of-the-art thrill rides, entertaining midway games, and carnival eats. Grucci fireworks on May 18. Hours are Mondays to Thursdays from 5 to 10 p.m., Fridays from 5 to 11 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 11 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 10 p.m. For tickets, visit www.baldhillfair.com.

Thursday May 16

Museum Day at the MCPL

Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach will hold its annual Museum Day celebration at the Museum Corner from  4 to 7 p.m. Representatives from 30 local museums, historical societies, science and nature centers will be on hand to share information regarding their collections, programs and exhibits. Free. 631-585-9393

Healing Haven fundraiser

Revival By Toast, 242 East Main St., Port Jefferson hosts a Spring Into Health for Your Dog Celebration with Dr. Lynda Loudon from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Dr. Loudon will be speaking on the top 5 ways to increase your dog’s longevity and meet local canine business owners and professionals. Tickets are $28.52 per person and includes dinner, drinks and raffle tickets. All proceeds support the mission of Healing Haven Animal Foundation. For tickets visit www.eventbrite.com or call 202-422-6782.

Friday May 17

Older Americans Month Dance

Town of Brookhaven hosts its annual Older Americans Month dance at the Rose Caracappa Senior Center, 739 Route 25A, Mt. Sinai from 1 to 3 p.m. with music by DJ Louis DelPrete. Cake will be served. This event is open to Town of Brookhaven residents ages 60 and older. To reserve a seat, call 631-451-5312. 

Living History Lecture

Celebrate St. James continues its Living History Lecture series with Around St. James the Ghosts are Talking! at the St. James Community Cultural Art Center, 176 Second St., St. James at 7 p.m. Unlock the mysteries of St. James as Joe Giaquinto, a seasoned paranormal investigator, invites you to hear the whispers of the past. Enjoy an evening filled with spine-chilling tales and ghostly encounters. Dive deep into Long Island’s haunted history and gain insight into the lives of its spectral inhabitants. Tickets are $25, $20 members at www.celebratestjames.org. 631-984-0201

Greek Heritage Night

Leo P. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum, RJO Middle School, 101 Church St., Kings Park presents a Greek Heritage Night at 7 p.m. Featuring traditional dancers and song, live Greek choirs and bands and traditional foods and customs. Free admission. 631-269-3305

Art Reception at the Reboli Center

The Reboli Center for Art & History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook will host an art reception for its Setauket Artists Exhibition form 6 to 8 p.m. With over 30 participating artists, this vibrant show filled with local scenes and beyond will inspire visitors of all ages. 631-751-7707

An Evening of Jazz

Jazz vocalist Jamile Steevie Ayres with the Miki Yamanaka Trio will perform in concert at The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook at 7 p.m. Originally from Brazil, Jamile is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after vocalists in the New York scene, captivating audiences with her unique phrasing and heartfelt tone influenced by the vocal jazz tradition, united with her unique Brazilian roots. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 students, $15 children, under age 5 free. To order, visit www.thejazzloft.org.

Friday Night Face Off

Long Island’s longest running improv comedy show heads to the Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown tonight and May 24 at 8 p.m. Join them for a “Who’s Line Is It Anyway?” style improv competition between the performers. Tickets are $28. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org.

Saturday May 18

Outdoor Thrift Garage Sale

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown will hold an Outdoor Thrift Garage Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot. Shop for household items and fun treasures. Proceeds will benefit the wildlife center. For questions or to donate items, call 631-901-5911.

Friends of the Greenway Cleanup

In conjunction with the Town of Brookhaven’s 2024 Great Brookhaven Cleanup, join the Friends of the Greenway for a trail cleanup removing litter, tree limbs and debris at the Port Jefferson Station Trailhead off Route 112 at 9 a.m.  

TVHS Yard & Antique Sale

Time to shop! The Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Country Road Setauket will host its  annual Community Wide Yard & Antiques Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. packed full of hidden treasures for the seasoned weekend shopper. 631-751-3730

CSHL Walking Tour

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor will host a guided walking tour of the campus from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Learn about the historic and modern architecture, the Nobel legacy, and the advanced cancer, neuroscience, and plant research taking place at the lab. Fee is $7.18 per person. To register, visit www.cshl.edu. 516-367-8844.

Rotary Family Fun Day of Service

Three Village Rotary invites the community to take part in its first annual Family Fun Day of Service with a cleanup of Sand Street Beach and the Rotary Memorial Garden along with kids crafts and a scavenger hunt at the Stony Brook Village docks from 10 a.m. to noon. Coffee and bagels will be served and all attendees under the age of 12 receive a free ice cream coupon courtesy of Sweet Mama’s at the Stony Brook Village Center. Questions? Call 631-988-9564

Fleece & Fiber Festival

Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead presents its annual Fleece & Fiber Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring  fiber artisans sharing handmade and authentic works for sale, shearing demonstrations, four-legged guests, and special fiber-focused tours of the Hallock Homestead. Rain date is May 19. Admission is $10. www.hallockville.org

Paint & Sip Fundraiser

Good Shepherd Hall at Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, 4 Trescott Path, Northport will hold a Paint & Sip fundraiser to support the Northport Pride Fest from 7 to 9 p.m. $45 includes wine/beer (2 servings), soft drinks, canvas, paint supplies and snacks. For ages 21 and over. To register, visit www.abidingpresencechurch.org.

LISCA Concert

St. James R.C. Church, 429 Route 25A, Setauket will host a concert by the Long Island Symphonic Choral Association at 8 p.m. Titled An Evening of French & American Music, the program will feature works by Poulenc, Debussy, Lauridsen, Whitacre, Tallis, Barber, various spirituals and a performance by the group’s scholarship winner. A reception with refreshments will follow. Tickets are $25 adults, $20 seniors, students free, $10 livestream available at the door or at www.lisca.org.

Sunday May 19

Northwell Health Walk

Join Mather Hospital, 75 North Country Road, Port Jefferson for the annual Northwell Health Walk at Port Jefferson to support the Fortunato Breast Health Center. Presented by Bethpage Federal Credit Union, the Walk brings together family, friends and team members for a five-mile walk through the scenic villages of Port Jefferson and Belle Terre. The day includes music, raffles, photo props, a walker warm up session, and a Pink Your Pooch contest for the best “pinked” pup! Registration opens at 8 a.m and the Walk steps-off at 10 a.m. For more information or to register in advance, visit www.northwellhealthwalk.com.

Rocky Point Farmers Market opens

Rocky Point Farmers and Artisans Market at Old Depot Park, 115 Prince Road, Rocky Point kicks off its season today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be held every Sunday through Nov. 10. Shop for local produce, baked goods, jewelry, soap, candles, lotions, organic wine and more. 631-729-0699

Rocky Point Day

The Rocky Point School District invites the community to its first annual Rocky Point Day at the High School track, 82 Rocky Point Yaphank Road, Rocky Point from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Take part in a variety of activities that include vendor and craft booths, food trucks and food vendors, school clubs, fun with art booths, music performances from school groups, local community groups, IM(P)ACT awards, youth sports and more. Take part in a 5K run or just support the runners. Free admission and free parking at both the High School and Middle School parking lots. Any questions call 631-744-1600.

Waterfront Festival

Set sail for fun as the Greater Huntington Boating Council presents the 9th annual Waterfront Festival at Mill Dam Park, 19 Mill Dam Road, Huntington from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring Peruse a vast array of booths showcasing the talents of local artisans. Find one-of-a-kind pieces from professional artists, photographers, and crafters, handmade jewelry, clothing, antiques, and gift items and vendors offering recreational equipment, boats, and a variety of boating supplies. Free admission. www.huntingtonsafeboatingweek.com.

Spring Auction

Join St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 800 Portion Road, Lake Ronkonkoma for its annual Spring Auction with doors opening at 12:30 p.m. and raffles called at 2 p.m. $10 admission includes 25 tickets, coffee and cake. 631-737-4388

LITMA Contradance

Smithtown Historical Society’s Frank Brush Barn, 211 E. Main St., Smithtown will host a LITMA Contradance at 2 p.m. with basic instruction at 1:45 p.m. Sunny Lawrence will be calling with the LITMA Contra Band. The event will also be a fundraiser for Twin Oaks Horse Sanctuary with many raffle prizes and all the proceeds will go to support the horses. $15 adults, $10 members, $7.50 students, children under 16 free with paid adult. 631-369-7854

Gene Casey in concert

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook  presents a concert by Gene Casey from 3 to 4 p.m. The event is free with general admission ticket purchase. For more information, call 631-689-5888 or visit www.limusichalloffame.org. 

Sunday Street Concert

Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook presents a Sunday Street concert, Bob Dylan’s 83rd Birthday Celebration, in the Carriage Museum’s Gillespie Room at 7 p.m. The celebration will focus on one of  Dylan’s greatest albums, Blood on the Tracks, and will feature The Kennedys, Rod MacDonald, Russ Seeger, Steve Kaplan, Tom Ryan and Mark Mancini with special guest Mary Lee Kortes. Advance tickets are $35 at www.sundaystreet.org, $40 at the door (cash only).

Monday May 20

TVHS Family Lecture/Book Launch

Three Village Historical Society will host a family lecture and book launch of Spy Ring with local author Sarah Beth Durst at the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main St., Setauket at 7 p.m. The book follows two modern-day kids who discover the truth about an American Revolutionary War-era female spy through a treasure-hunt adventure in their hometown of Setauket.  Books will be available for purchase at the event with a meet and greet and book signings with the author. Free, pre-registration encouraged by visiting www.tvhs.org. See more on page B20.

Tuesday May 21

NSJC Social Club event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to a special screening of Golden Age of Second Avenue, a documentary of the Yiddish Theater, in the Social Hall at 11 a.m. Come reminisce, sit back and enjoy! Bagels, cream cheese and coffee will be served. $5 per person, $4 members. 631-928-3737

Travel Club Meeting

Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket will host a meeting by the Travel Club at 7 p.m. Helmut Norpoth will make a presentation titled “Key West: Southernmost Point of the Continental United States.” Free and open to all. [email protected]

Wednesday May 22

Cruise Night Car Show

The Shoppes at East Wind, 5720 Route 25A, Wading River hosts a Cruise Night Car Show every Wednesday through October from 5 to 9 p.m. Visit the Shoppes, enjoy a bite to eat and then check out the fine array of classic cars in the parking lot. 631-929-3500

Thursday May 23

Native American Drumming

All Souls Parish House, 10 Mill Pond Road Stony Brook will host a Native American Drumming Meditation from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Led by elder drummer, Ric Statler, drumming meditation seeks to integrate the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual parts of the human self, creating a state of well-being. 631-655-7798

Hangoutology at The Jazz Loft

It’s ‘Hangoutology and Mixology’ as the Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook explores the science of sound and cocktails at the Loft’s Coal Bin speakeasy at 7 p.m. Jazz lovers can enjoy some crafty cocktails and vintage music from the 1930’s to 1960’s. Jazz Loft Founder Tom Manuel will be spinning rare unreleased, master acetates and shaking up some extraordinary libations. For ages 21 and older. Tickets are $100 and may be purchased at www.thejazzloft.org. 631-751-1895.

Film

‘Confessions of a Good Samaritan’’

Port Jefferson Documentary Series Spring line-up closes with a screening of Confessions of a Good Samaritan at Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson on May 20 at 7 p.m. Director Penny Lane’s decision to become a “good Samaritan” by giving one of her kidneys to a stranger turns into a funny and moving personal quest to understand the nature of altruism. Followed by a Q&A with Penny Lane. Tickets are $10 in advance at www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com or at the door (cash only). 

‘Next Goal Wins’

Join Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station for a viewing of Next Goal Wins, directed by Taika Waititi and starring Michael Fassbender and Elisabeth Moss, on May 23 at 2 p.m. Open to all. Call 631-928-1212 to reserve your seat.

Theater 

‘Antigone’

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport kicks off the 35th annual Shakespeare in the Courtyard Festival with Antigone by Sophocles from May 3 to June 2. One of the finest examples of Greek Tragedy, Antigone follows the events of the Oedipus legend, wherein the title character displays great strength as she disobeys King Creon in an attempt to bury her brother in consecrated ground. Presented by the Carriage House Players, the show will take place in the mansion’s Spanish Revival Courtyard on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and children. To order, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

‘Jersey Boys’

Extended! John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St. Northport presents Jersey Boys, the story of Franki Valli & The Four Seasons, from March 14 to June 16. They were just 4 guys from Jersey until they sang their very first note–a sound the radio just couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage was a different story–a story that has made them a sensation all over again. Winner of the 2006 Tony© Award for “Best Musical,” Jersey Boys features the top ten hits “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” and “December, 1963 (Oh What A Night).” To order tickets, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

‘The Producers’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Mel Brooks’ The Producers from May 18 to June 22. With something to offend everyone, the hilarious show-biz hit follows the antics of a pair of scheming Broadway producers with a plan to put on the biggest flop of all time. Featuring “If You’ve Got It, Flaunt It,” That Face,” “Keep It Gay,” and the outrageous “Springtime for Hitler,” The Producers is a side-splitting musical bliss. Contains adult humor and situations. Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors and students, $25 children ages 5 to 12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

CALENDAR DEADLINE  is Wednesday at noon, one week before publication. Items may be mailed to: Times Beacon Record News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733. Email your information about community events to [email protected]. Calendar listings are for not-for-profit organizations (nonsectarian, nonpartisan events) only, on a space-available basis. Please include a phone number that can be printed.

 

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Paws in Puddles ribbon cutting. Photo courtesy of Councilwoman Bonner's office

On May 3, Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner (holding scissors) joined in celebrating the grand opening of Paws in Puddles, a small, family owned and operated self-service dog wash and grooming salon located at 1844E Route 112 in Coram with a ribbon cutting.

The new business, owned and operated by Eduardo Fernandez (center left) and his wife, Christine Fernandez (center right), is equipped with multiple tubs for self-service dog washing, or you can entrust your pet with the “Paws in Puddles” staff to wash for you. If you are interested in their staff grooming services, bring in your dog ahead of time for a fair and accurate quote in person. 

For more information, please call 631-846-6096 or visit their website at www.PawsInPuddles.com. 

Front row, pictured left to right are Brett Davenport (Senior VP at Island Federal Bank); Joan Nickeson (Port Jefferson Station (PJST) Chamber of Commerce Community Liaison); Kayla Fernandez, Eduardo Fernandez, Councilwoman Jane Bonner, Jennifer Dzvonar, president of PJST Chamber of Commerce; Eduardo Fernandez (owner), Christine Fernandez (owner), Cheryl Goodall (groomer), Jennifer Sanchez (groomer), Tabatha Fajardo (Town Legislative Aide), Stephanie Quiroga (PNC), Paul Perrone (VP of PJST Chamber).

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Kevin Gardner. Photo credit:  Elise Sullivan

Stony Brook University announced today that Kevin H. Gardner, PhD, former Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation at the University of Louisville, has been appointed Vice President for Research. Dr. Gardner will report to university President Maurie McInnis and is expected to join Stony Brook on August 1, 2024.

In this role, Gardner will be the senior executive overseeing the development and stewardship of the university’s research and economic development enterprise. He will also serve as Stony Brook’s Operations Manager of the Research Foundation for the State University of New York, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit education corporation established to service the administrative activities related to sponsored research. The Vice President for Research is considered the university’s Chief Research Officer/Senior Academic Administrator who is responsible for the campus-wide advancement of the University’s research, scholarship and creative activity mission and oversees all services to the University provided by the Research Foundation of the State University of New York looking to benefit the state, nation and world.

“Throughout his expansive career, Kevin has demonstrated exceptional leadership fostering interdisciplinary research, mentoring junior faculty in research excellence, and advocating to advance innovation, creative activities, entrepreneurship and economic development,” said President McInnis. “He deeply understands the importance of supporting faculty and innovative projects with multiple PIs and embraces the profound ways research universities can, and do, impact society. I know that Stony Brook will benefit greatly from his collaborative style and approach to reaching across institutions and industries to find new, innovative ways to apply knowledge and discoveries to real-world issues.”

Prior to working at the University of Louisville, Gardner was the Vice Provost for Research at the University of New Hampshire where he also was a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and held several positions including the Director of the federally-funded Recycled Materials Resource Center. He also served as the State Director of the New Hampshire Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Program. In addition, Dr. Gardner served as the George B. Mayer Assistant Professor at Case Western Reserve University and taught at Hofstra University.

“It is an incredibly exciting time at Stony Brook University and I am thrilled to be joining this university at this time,” said Gardner. “There is tremendous opportunity for Stony Brook to increase its impact in the world through new knowledge generation, new ways of understanding our world and new ways of applying that knowledge and understanding to make the world a better place. Stony Brook has a mission as the state’s flagship institution to create this impact and to be known nationally and internationally for the impact the university’s faculty and students make. I am committed to advancing, recognizing and celebrating all the ways that the university’s faculty, clinicians, staff and students create and make a positive impact in the world every day and will work tirelessly to support them in their work.”

Gardner earned his PhD and MS at Clarkson University and his BS from Union College. He also has his individual Professional Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Ohio.

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Dr. Allan Zhang

New York Health (NY Health) has announced the addition of Interventional Pain Specialist Dr. Allan Zhang. Dr. Zhang will practice at 5316 Nesconset Hwy, Port Jefferson Station.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Zhang to NY Health, ” said Dr. Chris Ng, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director of NY Health. “His training and thoughtful approach reassure patients that they receive the best care to manage their pain and maintain their normal daily routines.”

Dr. Zhang specializes in spine-related diseases and pain, treating patients presenting with radiculopathies and lower back arthritis. Treatment is multimodal, involving physical therapy, cognitive behavior therapy,
medications, and different interventional procedures ranging from epidurals, radiofrequency ablations, peripheral nerve stimulation, and spinal cord stimulators. In addition to spine-related disease, Dr. Zhang also treats patients with degenerative joint disease, knee pain, shoulder pain, chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS), headaches, abdominal pain, and pelvic pain. Many patients experience pain relief from sympathetic nerve blocks and spinal cord stimulation.

Dr. Zhang believes every patient is unique and must be treated with an individualized plan. Chronic pain patients are complex and require an individualized treatment plan that involves both patient and physician participation, a multimodal approach, and novel innovation.

With a background as a diagnostic radiologist, Dr. Zhang has often seen the reason for the patient’s presenting symptoms based on MRI, CT, or other forms of imaging. He would dictate the report’s findings, and then that would be the end of his patient care experience. With his additional fellowship training in interventional pain management, Dr. Zhang can provide comprehensive and multifaceted pain management care, from when patients first present in the office to their follow-up after interventional treatment.

Dr. Zhang earned his Doctor of Medicine at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed an Internal Medicine Internship at Yale-Griffin Hospital, an Anesthesiology Residency and Diagnostic Radiology at the University of Connecticut, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Zhang further honed his skills through an ACGME Pain Management Fellowship at the University of Virginia. In 2020, he became board-certified in Diagnostic Radiology.

“I am excited to be part of NY Health to work in an environment where I have access to world-class facilities, exceptional physician colleagues, and the opportunity to help patients,” said Dr. Zhang.

To make an appointment with Dr. Zhang, please call 833-660-7246. For more information, visit nyhealth.com.

About New York Health

New York Health (NYHealth) is the premier center for primary and specialty care services. Our network of outstanding physicians specialize in family medicine, internal medicine, physical therapy, nephrology, rheumatology, surgery, urology, OB/GYN, and interventional spine and pain. At NY Health, we are dedicated to healthcare excellence and provide highly professional, sensitive, and personalized care. For more information, visit nyhealth.com.

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Bunnie XO
Bunnie XO
Bunnie XO

MEET BUNNIE XO!

This week’s featured shelter pet is Bunnie XO, a 5-year-old bully/mastiff mix who was abandoned in a park with her (presumed) boyfriend, Jelly Roll, but is now safe at the Smithtown Animal Shelter.

Bunnie XO warms up quickly to all new people, gently nudges for attention and treats and loves to play. This sweet lady was obviously used for breeding and discarded. While she and Jelly enjoy seeing each other, they are not bonded and she would love to be in a home that will dote on her and show her affection all day long. 

The shelter staff is still learning about her as she settles in and reveals her true personality but they assume she will accept calmer dogs (Jelly is very laid back). If you are interested in meeting Bunnie XO, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with her in a domestic setting.

The Town of Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.

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F. William Studier, senior scientist emeritus at Brookhaven National Laboratory, in 2004. (Roger Stoutenburgh/Brookhaven National Laboratory)

Prestigious honor recognizes development of widely used protein- and RNA-production platform

F. William Studier, a senior biophysicist emeritus at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory, has won the 2024 Richard N. Merkin Prize in Biomedical Technology [https://merkinprize.org/] for his development in the 1980s of an efficient, scalable method of producing RNA and proteins in the laboratory. His “T7 expression” technology can be used to make large quantities of nearly any RNA or protein and has been for decades, and continues to be, a mainstay of biomedical research and pharmaceutical production. Studier’s approach has been used to produce numerous therapeutics, diagnostics, and vaccines — including the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines credited with extending millions of lives in recent years [see: https://www.bnl.gov/newsroom/news.php?a=218806].

“F. William Studier’s brilliant work on the T7 system transformed biomedicine, saving millions of lives globally and improving the chances for further research that will change healthcare delivery,” said Dr. Richard Merkin, CEO and founder of Heritage Provider Network, one of the country’s largest physician-owned integrated health care systems. “His work exemplifies why I created this prize initiative that honors and showcases amazing innovators like Bill. I’m honored to be celebrating his remarkable achievements.”

The Merkin Prize, inaugurated in 2023, recognizes novel technologies that have improved human health. It carries a $400,000 cash award and is administered by the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, one of the world’s leading biomedical research institutes. All nominations for the 2024 Merkin Prize were evaluated by a selection committee composed of nine scientific leaders from academia and industry in the U.S. and Europe. Studier will be honored in a prize ceremony held on Sept. 17, 2024.

“The T7 system has been influential in biomedicine and has had important clinical implications for many years, but Bill Studier’s contribution to the field has really not been as celebrated as it ought to be,” said Harold Varmus, chair of the Merkin Prize selection committee. Varmus is also the Lewis Thomas University Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine, a senior associate at the New York Genome Center, and a recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on the origins of cancer.

“Bill Studier’s development of T7 phage RNA polymerase for use in preparing RNA templates for multiple uses in research labs worldwide has been a truly revolutionary technical advance for the entire field of molecular biology,” said Joan Steitz, the Sterling Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale University.

“Today, virtually every protein you want to produce in bacteria is made with a T7 system,” said Venki Ramakrishnan of the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England, and a winner of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. “There’s not a single molecular biology or biochemistry lab I know that doesn’t use T7.”

“This award is a great honor for Bill Studier, recognizing the significance of the research and technology he pioneered. It reinforces how basic research — asking fundamental questions about the way the world and everything in it works — can result in important and unexpected advances that continue to have impact even decades after the initial discoveries,” said Brookhaven National Laboratory Director JoAnne Hewett. “It is fabulous to see Bill recognized for his lifetime of work and the critical role it has played in biotechnology and medicine.”

Studier’s T7 expression system uses the T7 promoter to “turn on” a gene of interest and the T7 RNA polymerase to transcribe that gene into messenger RNA (mRNA) so that E. coli ribosomes can use the RNA-encoded information to synthesize the desired protein. The system can also be used to make desired mRNAs as, for example, was done to make the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. (Tiffany Bowman/Brookhaven National Laboratory)



Driven by basic biology

Studier grew up in Iowa and became fascinated with biophysics while an undergraduate at Yale University. Then, during graduate school at the California Institute of Technology in the early 1960s, he was introduced to bacteriophage T7, a virus that infects Escherichia coli bacteria. He wondered how T7 could so effectively and quickly take over E. coli, rapidly turning the bacterial cells into factories to produce more copies of itself. That question launched a career focused on the basic biology of T7.

“I’ve always been interested in solving problems,” Studier told Brookhaven National Laboratory in a 2011 profile [https://www.bnl.gov/newsroom/news.php?a=22241]. “The motivation for my research is not commercial application. My interest is in basic research.”

When he joined Brookhaven Lab in 1964, Studier focused on sequencing the genes of the T7 bacteriophage and understanding the function of each of its corresponding proteins during infection of E. coli. By 1984, he and Brookhaven colleague John Dunn successfully identified and cloned the protein within T7 that was responsible for rapidly copying T7 DNA into many corresponding strands of RNA [see: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.81.7.2035]. RNA is the molecule that instructs cells which amino acids to link up to build a particular protein — a critical step in protein synthesis and therefore the bacteriophage’s ability to infect E. coli.

Studier realized that the protein, called the T7 RNA polymerase, might be able to quickly and efficiently produce RNA from not only T7 DNA but also from the genes of any organism. If a gene was tagged with a special DNA sequence, known as the T7 promoter, then the T7 RNA polymerase would latch on and begin copying it. In 1986, Studier described this system in the Journal of Molecular Biology [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3537305/].

“His work really illustrates that sometimes a remarkable technology can emerge not only from people trying to build technologies but from someone who is trying to use basic science to understand a fascinating biological phenomenon,” Varmus said.

Speeding science

Before Studier’s development of the T7 system, scientists who wanted to produce RNA or proteins generally inserted the genes into the natural E. coli genome and let the E. coli polymerase produce the corresponding RNA at the same time as the bacteria produced its own RNA and proteins. But the E. coli machinery was relatively slow, and scientists often ran into problems with the bacteria turning off their DNA-reading programs. T7 polymerase overcame both these problems: It was far faster, and E. coli had no built-in way to shut it off.

Within a few years, biologists had rapidly switched from their older methods to the T7 system for producing both RNA and proteins. When proteins are the desired end result, the E. coli molecular machinery for translating mRNA into proteins is used after the T7 system makes the RNA.

Studier continued studying the T7 polymerase and promoter, fine-tuning the system for years and publishing new improved versions as recently as 2018.

As of 2020, the T7 technology had been cited in more than 220,000 published studies, with 12,000 new studies using the technology published each year. There are more than 100 different versions of the T7 technology available commercially and 12 patents in Studier’s name related to the system.

Making medicine

The T7 technology has also had immediate impacts in industry, with more than 900 biotech and pharmaceutical companies licensing it to produce therapeutics and vaccines.

In 2020, scientists used the T7 platform to produce enough mRNA for COVID-19 vaccines to vaccinate millions of people in the U.S. and around the world. With the T7 promoter placed next to the gene for the COVID-19 spike protein, the T7 polymerase could generate many kilograms of mRNA — the active molecule in the vaccines — at a time.

“I think it’s an incredible testament to this technology that, decades after its development, it’s still the go-to method for RNA and protein production,” said John Shanklin, a distinguished biochemist and chair of the Biology Department at Brookhaven National Laboratory, who considered Studier a mentor for many years.

Those who know Studier say the Merkin Prize is well-deserved; Studier changed the course of biomedicine while working quietly on basic science questions that interested him.

“Almost no one has heard of Bill Studier because he is a quiet, modest guy who had a small lab,” said Ramakrishnan, who worked with Studier at Brookhaven in the 1980s. “But he is an absolutely fantastic role model of what a scientist should be like.”

“He has flown under the radar and hasn’t been recognized for his accomplishments very much,” Shanklin agreed. “This is a well-deserved honor.”

Studier was also committed to guaranteeing access to his technology. When Brookhaven was in the process of licensing and commercializing the T7 system shortly after its development, Studier ensured that it remained free for academic labs while charging commercial licensing fees to companies.

F. William Studier earned a bachelor’s degree in biophysics from Yale in 1958, followed by a Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology in 1963. He worked as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Biochemistry at Stanford University School of Medicine, and then he joined Brookhaven Lab’s Biology Department in 1964 as an assistant biophysicist. Over the years, Studier rose through the department’s ranks, receiving tenure in 1971 and becoming a tenured senior biophysicist in 1974.

He served as chair of the Biology Department from 1990 to 1999 and then returned to research. He also served as an adjunct professor of biochemistry at Stony Brook University. His achievements have been recognized by election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1990, the National Academy of Sciences in 1992, and as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2007. He retired from the Lab in 2015 and was named senior scientist emeritus. In 2018, he was elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. He holds 15 patents of which nine have been licensed and commercialized, including those on the T7 system.

Studier’s research at Brookhaven Lab was supported by the DOE Office of Science.


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Michelle Ballan, center, received the Building Knowledge Through Research Award at a ceremony during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon, left, and Kristina Rose, Office for Victims of Crime Director, presented her with the award. Photo from Office for Victims of Crime

Dr. Michelle Ballan recognized for research related to intimate partner violence against those with disabilities

Michelle Ballan, PhD, MSW, Professor and Associate Dean for Research in the School of Social Welfare at Stony Brook University, has received the Building Knowledge Through Research Award from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), a program of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Ballan is among only 8 individuals or organizations honored nationally by the DOJ for their outstanding work as crime victim service professionals during the 2024 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

The Building Knowledge Through Research Award recognizes individual researchers or research teams that made a significant contribution to the nation’s understanding of crime victim issues. Through her individual and collaborative research projects, Ballan centers her investigations on the identification and amelioration of barriers impacting the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities and their families. Her pioneering research explores intimate partner violence, a public health concern that disproportionately impacts individuals with disabilities.

“Receiving this award from the Office for Victims of Crime is a high honor, and I am happy to have been selected along with other professionals who are doing such important work around the country to benefit people who are victims of crimes and injustices,” said Ballan, also a Professor of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine at the Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM); Research Director for the Stony Brook Early Childhood Clinic; and Director of the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) Center at Stony Brook University.

Ballan and the other awardees were recognized during a National Crime Victims’ Rights Week ceremony in Washington, D.C, in late April. Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon and Office for Victims of Crime Director Kristina Rose presented the 2024 winners with their awards.

“Since 1981, the Nation has formally honored victim service providers and allied professionals, many of whom were driven to this work because of trauma they experienced personally,” said Kristina Rose, Director of the OVC. “It is an honor to recognize these individuals and organizations for dedicating themselves not only to making a difference to victims and survivors of crime, but to entire communities and society as a whole.”

The awardees were selected from public nominations in multiple categories, including allied professionals, research, victim services, survivor voices, and tomorrow’s leaders.

At Stony Brook, Ballan pursues research alongside colleagues with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who she has trained and supported in their role as research team members. She mentors professors across different schools and numerous predoctoral and postdoctoral LEND trainees in 10 healthcare disciplines, in addition to families and self-advocates. She also works with outside practitioners and nonprofit organizations to better understand the needs of their clients with disabilities.

Her collaborative work and ongoing research have yielded insight into the factors motivating people with disabilities to seek assistance from domestic violence agencies and has highlighted the societal need for increased interdependence and self-efficacy to enable individuals to find alternatives to violent relationships.

For more about the award, Ballan’s research focus, how it impacts victims of crime, and collaborative work at Stony Brook University, see this OVC webpage and video.

 

 

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Dr. John Fitzgerald

New York Health (NY Health) has announced that board-certified Urologist Dr. John Fitzgerald has joined its Urology team.

Dr. Fitzgerald will practice at:  5316 Nesconset Highway, Port Jefferson Station; 300 Old Country Road, Riverhead; 1061 N. Broadway, 2nd Fl, North Massapequa; and 1055 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage.

“Dr. Fitzgerald joins NY Health, bringing tremendous clinical experience in treating all types of urological malignancies and improving quality of life with minimally invasive treatments in a patient-centric fashion. He is fully supported by our first-in-class oncologists, who are thrilled with this new addition to our physician family,” said Dr. Chris Ng, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director of NY Health.

Dr. Fitzgerald is an experienced urologic oncologist who specializes in the surgical management of kidney, prostate, and bladder, as well as other genitourinary malignancies, which are treated with any approach. He  also has expertise in the treatment of non-malignant diseases, including BPH and kidney stones.

“I feel that no matter what the issue, a patient should feel better upon leaving a doctor’s office than when walking in,” he said.

Dr. Fitzgerald earned his Doctor of Medicine at University College Dublin in Ireland. He then completed residency training at Brookdale University Hospital in Brooklyn, where he was named Chief Resident. Dr. Fitzgerald completed his Urology Oncology Fellowship at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he earned his Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MScI). He is certified by the American Board of Urology and the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO). He serves as the Chief of Urology and the director of robotics at Northport VAMC, where he spearheads innovative approaches to urologic surgery and ensures the highest standards of care for his patients. Additionally, he has been recognized as a Top Doctor by Castle Connolly and Newsday.

To make an appointment with Dr. Fitzgerald, please call 631-663-4850.

For more information, visit www.nyhealth.com.

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Daniel R. Liff

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS )has announced that Daniel R. Liff, a Managing Director, Financial Advisor in the Firm’s Hauppauge Wealth Management office, has been named to Forbes Magazine’s 2024 list of Best-in-State Wealth Advisors.

Forbes’ Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list comprises a select group of individuals who have a minimum of seven years of industry experience. The ranking, developed by Forbes’ partner SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative and quatitative data, rating thousands of wealth advisors and weighing factors like revenue trends, AUM, compliance records, industry experience and best practices learned through telephone and in-person interviews.

“I am pleased that Dan is representing Morgan Stanley,” commented Robert Forte, Market Manager of Morgan Stanley’s Hauppauge office. “To be named to this list recognizes Dan’s professionalism and dedication to the needs of his valued clients.”

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, a global leader, provides access to a wide range of products and services to individuals, businesses and institutions, including brokerage and investment advisory services, financial and wealth planning, cash management and lending products and services, annuities and insurance, retirement and trust services.

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