For This Fulbright Scholar, Return to Roots Is Research

Nayereh Tohidi, a psychology professor at Santa Monica College, will be returning to her roots Tuesday when she leaves for Azerbaijan State University in the Soviet Union. The Fulbright Scholar will serve as a guest lecturer at the university for the 1991-92 school year.

“I will be lecturing on psychology of gender, which is very new in the Soviet Union,” she said.

The fact that she will be in a Muslim society with a circumscribed role for women does give her pause. “I’m a little worried in how students and colleagues will respond,” she said.

During her year abroad, Tohidi hopes to learn more about the Azerbaijani culture and attitudes toward gender issues. She hopes to specifically study the process of secularization and developments in women’s status and views.

A native of Iran, Tohidi grew up on the other side of the Caspian Sea from the republic of Azerbaijan and is fluent in the language, Azeri.

“I’m going to use this occasion to learn emotionally and intellectually about my country,” she said. “And this gives me a chance to go back to my roots.”

Dr. David Rimoin will receive the first B’nai Zion Medical Center-Care With Us medical achievement award.

Rimoin, who is recognized for his work in abnormal human genetics and birth defects, is also the Steven Spielberg chairman of pediatrics at the Ahmanson Pediatric Center in Los Angeles.

He will be honored at a dinner on Oct. 29 at the Century Plaza in Los Angeles.

Elaine Smoots has been reelected president of the Founding Associates of the French Foundation for Alzheimer Research.

The Founding Associates, a volunteer organization, helps to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research. Smoots is a resident of Pacific Palisades.

UCLA medical student Audrey Stapleton has been selected to receive a research fellowship from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and the Commonwealth Fund.

With the $5,000 fellowship, Stapleton will pursue a three-month research project in the field of gynecological oncology and biomedical research. She is also a member of the Black Students Health Assn. and the University Students’ Cooperative Assn.

Eva Rappaport recently was installed as president of the Beverly Hills Education Foundation by Judge Judith Stein.

Rappaport is immediate past president of the Beverly Hills High School PTSA and El Rodeo School PTA. She is a member of the Projects Council for the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Manya Frazier has been appointed principal of Redeemer Baptist Elementary School in West Los Angeles.

Frazier, of Culver City, has more than 18 years of experience in elementary education. She has a degree in elementary education from Oregon State College and a master’s degree in computer-math science from Oregon State University.

Leonard Gottlieb was awarded the Charles T. Weber Humanitarian award by the Professional Staff Assn. of the National Kidney Foundation.

Gottlieb, who has been with the organization 18 years, is currently Western States regional director.

He lives in Mar Vista.