Alumni Share Expertise

Two Saint John's University alumni back on campus for their class reunions later this month will share their expertise with students and faculty. 

Dr. Russel Reiter '58, an internationally recognized research scientist, will discuss the importance of melatonin in maintaining a healthy brain and promoting healthful longevity in a talk on Thursday, Sept. 25, at 4:15 p.m. in the Saint John's University Engel Science Hall Room 373.  All are welcome to attend. 

A professor at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Dr. Reiter will discuss "Melatonin Combats Molecular Terrorism in the Brain (or When Melatonin Gets on Your Nerves)".  He says the presentation should be of interest to everyone, especially those of 45 years of age and older, and to anyone who has parents.

Dr. Reiter's research on the anti-oxidant hormone melatonin and the aging process has made him one of the world's most highly-cited scientists.  His research indicates that melatonin has the potential to be significant in protecting against diseases related to aging.  At UTHSC, he teaches medical neuroscience and dental microscopic anatomy courses and lectures in the history of anatomy and in the introduction to research.  In addition, Dr. Reiter serves as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Pineal Research and on the editorial board of seven other journals.

During the Class of 1958 reunion activities, Dr. Reiter will be presented the SJU Alumni Achievement Award.

Jud Carlson '63, managing director of Disc Motion Technologies working with his fifth start-up company, will visit with entrepreneur students at Prof. Paul Marsnik's class on Friday, Sept. 26.

 Carlson has been CEO for Disc Motion since 2006.  He has been the senior marketing executive for four other startup companies.  With 30 years of spinal industry experience as a CEO and senior marketing director, Carlson has expertise in spinal marketing strategy, surgeon relationships, sales force and distribution development. 

Disc Motion Technologies is a privately held spine technology company that was established in 2003 to bring to fruition the ideas of three spine surgeons who have a track record of device development and have had significant experience in lumbar arthroplasty and motion preservation. The Disc Motion team spent three years in designing and patenting the first posterior lumbar arthroplasty system and the result has been the introduction of the first total joint replacement for the lumbar spine.