Audrey S. Penn

Audrey Shields Penn (born in 1934) is an American neurologist and emeritus professor. Her major area of research was in the biochemistry of muscle weakness in myasthenia gravis. Penn was elected President of the American Neurological Association in 1994. She was deputy director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), and is the first African-American woman to serve as an (acting) director of an Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Early life and education

Audrey Penn was born in New York City, New York in 1934. The graduation yearbook notes she played violin, hockey, basketball, and softball. She chose neurology, she said, "because there was so much wonderful information to learn about the brain and everything connected to it."

Career

First at the University of Pennsylvania, Penn pursued postdoctoral study and research into the biochemistry of muscles in muscle diseases, especially the autoimmune disease, myasthenia gravis, and drugs for autoimmune diseases. In 1972, she was promoted to associate professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania.

In 1982, Penn was appointed professor of neurology, in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University. She practiced as a neurologist at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, and gained a training fellowship from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at the NIH.

Penn was a member of the council of the NINDS.

After 10 years, in 2007, Penn retired from her position as deputy director, and moved to the institute's Office of Minority Health and Research, with the role of senior advisor to the institute's director. A symposium on myasthenia gravis was held in her honor at NINDS. A member of the ANA who advances research or education efforts that advocate for health equity is considered a good candidate for this level of recognition.

Photos

Yearbook photo, 1956 (Swarthmore, page 83). Yearbook photos, 1960 (Columbia, medical school, pages 23 and 81). Laboratory photo.