Recently the federal government of the United States announced the recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). Dr. John E. Harris was included in the distinguished recipients of PECASE 2019. The PECASE is the highest honor that is conferred to scientists and engineers who are beginning their independent research careers, exhibiting promise for leadership in the field of science and technology.
Dr. Harris was recognized for his contributions toward vitiligo research, public education, and community outreach. Dr. Harris is an Associate Professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (Worcester) where he directs the Vitiligo Clinic and Research Center (a specialty entre for the diagnosis and treatment of people with vitiligo) and a vitiligo research laboratory.
Honored to receive the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) from @POTUS! "…the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government to outstanding scientists and engineers…"https://t.co/Hjso2Qbk4N
— John E. Harris, MD, PhD (@HarrisVitiligo) July 3, 2019
July was also the birthday month for everybody’s favorite – Winnie Harlow. The supermodel celebrated a quarter-century (her 25th birthday) in Florida. Winnie wore a dazzling gold bikini and lace coat for her birthday celebration aboard a yacht alongside Pauly D after taking in Jennifer Lopez concert. Just a few days before her birthday, the Canadian model also revealed that she wants to release her own beauty line. Winnie has “a lot of ideas” that she’s keen to develop over the next year. “I do my own make-up and I’m really into skincare. I always have been,” Winnie told a representative from Britain’s HELLO! Magazine.
Moving on to India, the Goa Film Festival was recently concluded. The festival screened one hidden gem about inner beauty and social equality – Imago. A venture of debutant filmmakers from Kolhapur: Karan Chavan and Vikram Patil, Imago is the story of Namrata (played by Aishwarya Ghaidhar) who has vitiligo. The film explores the internal journey of a girl who is dealing with society’s ideals of beauty, love, and acceptance. This heart touching film had its world premiere at the Mumbai Film Festival last year in October.
After two years of exclusively screening it in festival circuits and universities, Cliff Notez, a hip-hop artist uploaded his short film – vitiligo on YouTube on July 18th. Written, directed, and scored by Notez himself, the HipStory Films project addresses the mental implications of living with vitiligo and how it manifests within interpersonal relationships. A heavy 30-minute tale follows a doctoral student’s journey.
