Martin Bednar
Currently, I am the clinical lead at Pfizer for an Alzheimer’s disease project that is investigating the safety and efficacy of a monoclonal antibody. The studies are on-going world-wide which allows us to compare this disease, how it’s treated and viewed, as well as the effects of this antibody across various world-wide regions.
I have been at Pfizer for 10 years and have always been involved in the R&D of “neurodegenerative” diseases- stroke, Parkinson’s, MS,traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer’s, etc… Previous roles at Pfizer included the Translational Medicine Head for the CNS portfolio.
Currently, I am the clinical lead at Pfizer for an Alzheimer’s disease project that is investigating the safety and efficacy of a monoclonal antibody. The studies are on-going world-wide which allows us to compare this disease, how it’s treated and viewed, as well as the effects of this antibody across various world-wide regions.
I have been at Pfizer for 10 years and have always been involved in the R&D of “neurodegenerative” diseases- stroke, Parkinson’s, MS,traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer’s, etc… Previous roles at Pfizer included the Translational Medicine Head for the CNS portfolio.
Prior to joining Pfizer, I was a practicing neurosurgeon, focused primarily on cerebrovascular neurosurgery (e.g., aneurysms, carotid artery disease). The various roles included Vice Chair of Surgery and Section Head for Surgical Research. I had previously completed my medical training in New York (M.D., Ph.D. degree- Ph.D. in cardiovascular pharmacology).
I have enjoyed contributing to programs that encourage/promote diversity. I had previously founded a scientific summer program for students of color (SCORE) while working the University of Vermont.
Key Areas of Research
Neurodegeneration. This area includes both acute (e.g., stroke, spinal cord injury, head trauma) and chronic (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS). This also impacts many other therapeutic areas at Pfizer as I seek to define novel therapeutics: cardiovascular/metabolic disease, inflammation, biotherapeutics, GI/GU, pain.
Projects
Examining the safety and efficacy of a monoclonal antibody for Alzheimer's disease.
Professional Affiliations
Congress of Neurological Surgeons. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Member, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Education
BS: University of Albany M.D., Ph.D.: New York Medical College Neurosurgery Residency: Medical Center Hospital of VT Board Certified, Neurological Surgery
Awards
1. University of Vermont ALANA ALLY Award (“for outstanding contributions to help improve the lives of students of color”). 2. Resident of the Year University of Vermont 3. Teaching Excellence Award in Surgery (University of VT) 4. Upjohn Achievement Award for the Outstanding Resident in Surgery (University of VT) 5. Alpha Omega Alpha 6. Martha Lucas Pate Award (for academic excellence; New York Medical College) 7. Bessie Kaplan Morais Memorial Award (for research excellence; New York Medical College) 8. James DeMeules Research Award, University of Vermont 9. Alumni Achievement Award, Salesian High School 10. Recognized by the New York State Assembly and Senate in 2003 for ongoing alumni service to my High School
Published Articles
Over 60 articles and book chapters published. Some representative publications: 1. German JW, Gross CD, Giclas P, Watral W, Bednar MM. Systemic complement depletion inhibits experimental cerebral vasospasm. Neurosurgery, 39: 141-146, 1996. 2. Bednar, MM and Gross, CE. Antiplatelet Therapy in Acute Stroke. Stroke. 30:887-893, 1999. 3. Bednar MM. Stroke: Antithrombin vs. Antiplatelet Therapy. Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs. 9:355-369,2000. 4. Bednar MM, Gross CE, Balazy MK, Belosludtsev D, Colella DT, Falck JR, and Balazy M. 16(R)-HETE, a new arachidonate metabolite in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Biochemical Pharmacology 60:447-455, 2000. 5. Bednar MM, Ruskin JR, Camm AC, Harrigan EP. The QT Interval. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases. 43(5 Supp l1):1-45, 2001 6. Bednar MM: Combining Antiplatelet and Thrombolytic Therapies for Stroke. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy 3: 401-410, 2002. 7. Lee TA, Wolozin B, Weiss KB, Bednar MM. Assessment of the Emerg
Favorite Quote
I have two:
1. "True magic lives in those who believe in what others cannot see".
2. "Of those to whom much is given, much is required" (JFK).
