This press release contains dated information and should be used for background only.
The John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation has awarded one of its top prizes to a University of Kansas School of Medicine faculty member.
Robert L. Martensen, MD, PhD, professor and chair of history and philosophy of medicine and director of Clendening Library of History of Medicine, received word on April 11 that he had been chosen for a prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship Award.
Martensen, a renowned scholar of medical philosophy, wrote "The Origins and Cultural Politics of the Cerebral Body," which discusses the origins of modern ideas about the brain and mind that evolved during the scientific revolution of the 17 thcentury.
Guggenheim Fellows are appointed on the basis of distinguished achievement in the past and exceptional promise for future accomplishment. The year 2002 Fellowship winners include 184 artists, scholars and scientists selected from more than 2,800 applicants for awards totaling $6,750,000.
"Generally, the Guggenheim awards go to people in history or humanities departments," Martensen said. "The fact that we’re being recognized for studying humanities in a professional school speaks well for our department."
Decisions are based on recommendations from hundreds of expert advisers and are approved by the foundation’s board of trustees.