CMU faculty member gets international honor

Gary Dunbar, a longtime Central Michigan University faculty member in the experimental psychology and neuroscience programs, recently was awarded the Gusi Peace Prize in Manila, Philippines.

He also was chosen to be a keynote speaker during the event's Evelyn Tantamco Gusi Awards for the most outstanding physician.

The Gusi Peace Prize Foundation is a charitable organization that honors individuals or groups worldwide who distinguish themselves through contributions toward peace and respect for human life and dignity.

Dunbar is director of the Field Neurosciences Institute Laboratory for Restorative Neurology and co-director of CMU's Brain Research and Integrative Neuroscience Center with College of Medicine faculty member Julien Rossignol.

His recent research focuses on using stem cells, dietary supplements and pharmacological treatments for cognitive or motor deficits following brain damage, spinal cord injury, glioblastoma and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Huntington's, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.

"I feel honored to have been nominated and selected," Dunbar said. "It was an absolutely phenomenal and surrealistic experience of a lifetime. I am very glad I accepted the offer to speak and accept this award and to meet outstanding laureates from around the world."