Conservationist & Lemur Expert Dr. Patricia C. Wright to be Honored at 'Stars of Stony Brook Gala 2014' April 16 at Chelsea Piers

STONY BROOK, N.Y., March 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Stony Brook University's 2014 "Stars of Stony Brook" Gala will honor devoted primatologist and conservationist Dr. Patricia C. Wright, on Wednesday, April 16 at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers in New York City.  As she is being feted by her University, Dr. Wright will be enjoying stardom of another stripe, with her extraordinary work with lemurs and other wildlife of Madagascar being the central storyline of the new IMAX® documentary Island of Lemurs: Madagascar. The film is narrated by Academy Award® winner Morgan Freeman and set for release in select IMAX® and IMAX®3D theatres starting April 4.

A recipient of the MacArthur "Genius Award" and finalist for the 2014 Indianapolis Conservation Prize, Dr. Wright is being honored for her major contributions in the biology, ecology, conservation and behavior of living primates.  She has also been instrumental in helping both indigenous people and the international community better understand the value of conservation in Madagascar and around the world.  Through the research station she created there known as Centre ValBio, Dr. Wright has continued to deliver her expert knowledge and support to help both the wildlife and residents of this region.

Being a professor of Anthropology at Stony Brook University, along with her experience and research center, has allowed Dr. Wright to give budding Stony Brook University scientists and explorers the opportunity and platform to gain experience by working in Madagascar.  Through its Study Abroad program, both undergraduate and graduate Stony Brook students have the chance to work and learn hands-on in Madagascar.

"Dr. Wright's commitment to the people, nature and extraordinary wildlife of Madagascar makes her a true star, one worthy of our most high-profile honor.  We are proud to add her to the list of others who have received this honor, most recently Alan Alda, Ed Harris and Julie Andrews," said Dr. Samuel L. Stanley Jr. MD, President of Stony Brook University.

"Being able to showcase the work of one of our own and share it with the world through Island of Lemurs: Madagascar is truly remarkable," said Richard L. Gelfond, CEO of IMAX Corporation who also serves as Chairman of the Stony Brook Foundation Board of Trustees and Co-Chair with James H. Simons of the Stars of Stony Brook Gala.  "Dr. Wright's work is inspiring and eye opening.  Her expertise on the lives of these magnificent creatures and other wildlife in Madagascar is one I know will touch the hearts of many as well as bring awareness to a part of the world not often seen."

Dr. Wright began working in Madagascar 29 years ago with the intent of tracking down a lost species of lemur.  Her field research eventually blossomed into a full-blown conservation and humanitarian endeavor as she led the effort to establish Ranomafana National Park and coordinate outreach programs to help the struggling villages abutting the park.   

"The first time I visited all these villages, about 60 of them, was 1987, and I realized how poor the people were and how much they really needed assistance," said Dr. Wright. "And I wanted to do whatever I could to make their lives better."

As a result of Dr. Wright's work, Stony Brook University is more invested than ever in her mission in Madagascar.  Along with the Centre ValBio research center, the University has also teamed up with scientists/husband and wife duo, Jim and Robin Herrnstein, to establish the Global Health Institute. The Institute will drive cutting-edge health research in the region while working closely with the Herrnsteins' new nongovernmental organization (NGO) PIVOT, whose mission is to establish an evidence-based model health system for Madagascar.

The Herrnsteins, together with Stony Brook University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., MD, who is a nationally renowned expert in the field of emerging infectious diseases, expect the new Institute will take on broad global health research initiatives. Bench science, including molecular biology, microbiology and infectious disease research, will certainly be a major component, as will a broad range of health-related sciences.

"Having Centre ValBio as a state-of-the-art research and academic hub is an incredible advantage for this partnership," added President Stanley.  "Another major advantage is the Herrnstein's themselves. In Jim and Robin, you have two people who are extraordinarily committed to making a difference by improving health for the people of Madagascar, and I am continually impressed by their dedication."

Currently in its 15^th year, the Stars of Stony Brook Gala has been able to bring together stars from Hollywood, the arts and academia, including Alan Alda, Ed Harris, Julie Andrews and this years' Dr. Patricia C. Wright, as spokespersons for various scholarships and charities.  Over the years, the Gala has raised over $33 million to support student scholarships and a variety of educational programs at the university and around the globe.

The Stony Brook Gala begins with a cocktail reception on April 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Chelsea Piers, followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. To reserve tickets, inquire about sponsorship, or for more information, call 212.245.6570, ext. 15 or email [email protected]

About the Stony Brook Foundation
The Stony Brook Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation established in 1965 as the University's sole repository for philanthropic contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other organizations in support of Stony Brook University. The Foundation administers the University's scholarship funds. Every dollar donated for scholarships goes directly to scholarships—no administrative fee is charged on scholarship accounts. For more information about contributing to our scholarship funds or creating an endowed named undergraduate scholarship or graduate fellowship, please call the Advancement Office at (631) 632-6300 or visit www.stonybrook.edu/foundation.

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SOURCE Stony Brook Foundation