Carol Wise, Director of Molecular Genetics at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, will receive the Anson Jones Award from the Fort Worth Scottish Rite Foundation during it’s 55th Grand Annual Banquet, June 6, 2009, at 1100 Henderson, Fort Worth.

Dr. Wise and her team isolated and received a patent on a gene defined as CHD 7, associated with Idiopathic Scoliosis, a potentially deforming or crippling curvature of the spine, affecting up to 3 percent of children throughout the world. The discovery is outlined in the May 2007 issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics.  Dr. Wise has since received a 2.8 million dollar grant from the National Institute of Health to further her research. Other grants include 1 million dollars from the Crystal Charity Ball and 60 thousand dollars from the Scoliosis Research Society.

The Anson Jones Award, named after the last President of the Republic of Texas, and first Grand Master of Masons in Texas, honors individuals who have made significant contributions for the betterment of society. Former recipients of the award include such notables as Mayor Robert Bolen, Judge Tommy Vandergriff, Speaker Jim Wright, Lt. Governor Bob Bullock and H. Ross Perot.

Attending and also being honored on this occasion will be 40 high school graduates and their families from 35 Texas counties. Each student will receive a $1000 scholarship to further their education.  During the brief history of the Fort Worth Scottish Rite Foundation, it has awarded over $1,000,000 in scholarships to deserving students. Dr. Wise will be the principal speaker for this event.