Lando Awarded for Global Engagement

Winter 2007

Professor Harry Lando has received the Award for Global Engagement from the University of Minnesota. Lando is one of the world’s preeminent researchers in the area of tobacco use prevention and control.

The diseases associated with tobacco use are now shifting to developing countries. According to World Bank statistics, by 2020 seven of every 10 people killed by smoking will be in developing countries, those with the fewest resources for tobacco control. This is where Lando has chosen to make his mark. "If we can reduce this projected toll by even 10 percent, the savings in lives, in suffering, and in economic loss will be immense," he says.

Among his work is a $1.8 million National Institutes of Health grant to conduct smoking cessation research and training in India and Indonesia. Lando has also brought leadership—including a term as president—to the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT), the only international organization solely developed to do research in tobacco prevention and control. His work with SRNT has helped elevate current membership to 1,200 researchers representing upwards of 50 countries. Much of his focus is on mentoring junior scientists and scholars.

With a goal of reducing the global tobacco death rate by 10 percent over the next 20 years, Lando is working tirelessly to unite various constituencies from around the world.

"We need to get away from our parochial turf issues to help make a difference," he says. "I honestly believe that for the first time in my 30 years as a researcher we are in a unique position to make it happen."