DR. ROBERT C. GALLO TO RECEIVE 2015 LEONARDO da VINCI AWARD BY THE ITALIAN HERITAGE AND CULTURE COMMITTEE – NY, INC.

On Tuesday, January 12, 2016, in a unique and singular presentation ceremony, Dr. Robert C. Gallo, Director of the Institute of Human Virology and Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, will receive the coveted Leonardo da Vinci Award for 2015 from the now 40-year-old Italian Heritage and Culture Committee-NY, Inc. (IHCC-NY, Inc.) The event will take place at the Consulate General of Italy in New York City in cooperation with the Office of the Consul General, under the auspices of Minister Natalia Quintavalle.
Dr. Gallo, renowned for his world-wide research and study in the field of immunology, which has brought about such discoveries as the second known retrovirus (HTLV-2) and provided the first results to show that HIV caused AIDS, has continued his research throughout the years. Recognized with some 32 honorary doctorates, he is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and Institute of Medicine, and has been ranked as the third in the world for scientific impact for the period 1983-2002.
In announcing the final details for the ceremony, Joseph Sciame, president/chair of the IHCC-NY, Inc., stated: “We are so very proud that Dr. Gallo has accepted our invitation for this da Vinci Award. As our thematic celebrations annually recognize such personages, for 2015 in conjunction with the Milan EXPO, a decision was reached by the Board of Directors of the IHCC-NY, Inc. to recognize someone in the field of science who excelled far beyond our expectations. Dr. Gallo is such a person!”
The Award named in honor of Leonardo da Vinci, a legendary Italian Renaissance polymath, who was considered a painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, and more, has been described as the archetype of the Renaissance, a man of unquestionable curiosity. Over the 40-year span of the IHCC-NY, Inc., others have been recognized for their respective talents related to the year’s theme and include: Playright Mario Fratti, Former NY State First Lady Matilda Cuomo, Astronaut Michael Massimino, and most recently named NYS Poet Laureate Emeritus Joseph Tusiani, and others. Sciame further stated: “There is little doubt that Dr. Gallo fulfills the criteria, for he is unquestionably a person of tremendous contribution to the human condition and a most worthy da Vinci Awardee.”
Following the presentation of the award, at a private invitational, a reception will be held at the Consulate, where some 100 guests and dignitaries will salute and hail the achievements of Dr. Gallo.
For further information re the IHCC-NY, Inc., please refer to www.italyculturemonth.org .