Andre (Andy) Blei was Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University, in Chicago USA where is also directed a basic science laboratory. He served as editor-in-chief of the journal Hepatology. Andy initiated his research interests in the area of portal systemic encephalopathy from which he soon succeeded in becoming a world leader in the physiology and pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy. His capability to bridge fundamental and clinical sciences was his force which allowed him to run a translational research laboratory from which important findings were published. Andy’s excitement for science, manifested with a twinkle in his eye, was contagious. A charismatic critical thinker, Andy was a dedicated leader in the field of hepatic encephalopathy and an ambassador for ISHEN. We lost Andy in 2008 after a lengthy battle with multiple myeloma. He was 59.

ISHEN is proud to announce the winner of the Andy Blei Award, presented at each ISHEN meeting.

In memoriam published :

1. Bacon and Rustgi, Gastroenterol, 2008, doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2008.11.011.
2. Groszmann, Hepatology, 2009, doi: 10.1002/hep.22741.
3. Uribe, Ann Hepatol, 2009, doi: 10.1016/S1665-2681(19)31782-X.
4. Fung and Rakela, Liver Int, 2009, doi: 10.1002/lt.21733.

Joan Cordoba was clinical scientist and was the director of a basic science laboratory at the Vall d’Hebron hospital in Barcelona. Joan was a true leader in the field of hepatic encephalopathy and published many seminal papers which changed the insights on the pathogenesis of HE as well as the management of patients suffering from HE. Joan was very humble, honest, kind and very generous, always available to help. His intellectual curiosity for science was contagious as was his passion for science. Joan Cordoba passed away in 2014 after a lengthy 3-year with glioblastoma. He was 49.

Joan was a great supporter of ISHEN and a mentor to many who are presently flourishing in the field of hepatology and hepatic encephalopathy.

Therefore ISHEN is proud to present at every ISHEN meeting the Joan Cordoba Young Investigator Award.

In memoriam published :

1. Jalan and Esteban, J Hepatol, 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2014.03.010.
2. Arroyo, Liver Int, 2014, doi: 10.1111/liv.12546.

Both clinical and fundamental articles published within the past year are proposed by members. The ISHEN Executive committee votes on the best article in each category.