Seven NIH Scientists Named to National Academy of Medicine

The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) recently announced election of 100 new members, including seven NIH’ers. Election to the academy is one of the highest honors in health and medicine, recognizing individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service.

“This class of new members represents the most exceptional researchers and leaders in health and medicine, who have made significant breakthroughs, led the response to major public health challenges and advanced health equity,” said NAM President Victor J. Dzau. “Their expertise will be necessary to supporting NAM’s work to address the pressing health and scientific challenges we face today.”

Current members elect new members through a process that recognizes individuals who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care and public health. The newly elected members bring NAM’s total membership to more than 2,400, which includes nearly 200 international members.

NIH’ers recently elected to NAM and their election citations are:

Dr. Stephen J. Chanock, director of the National Cancer Institute’s Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics. For being an international leader in cancer genetics, identifying susceptibility alleles in more than a dozen cancers. He has awards for first describing clonal mosaicism and its relationship to cancer and aging. He created and fostered international consortia on BRCA genetics and Covid-19.

Dr. Janine Clayton, director of the Office of Research on Women’s Health. For advancing policy, program, and practice innovations to improve the health of all women by catalyzing integration of sex/gender factors across the biomedical research continuum to galvanize discovery and equity. She is the architect of NIH’s high-impact 2016 Sex as a Biological Variable policy, a landmark upgrade for research.

Dr. Lindsey A. Criswell, director, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, For defining genetic and epigenetic contributions to development of autoimmune rheumatic disorders and their relationship to specific serologic and clinical phenotypes and to genetic ancestry of patients. Her work has transformed understanding of the pathogenesis of lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s disease, and related diseases.

Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. For leading transformative research that has redefined our understanding of relationships between the vaginal microbiome and female reproductive tract infections, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), hormonal contraception, and risk of STI/HIV acquisition. She has had key roles in NIH-funded networks — Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium and HIV Prevention Trials.

Dr. Niki Moutsopoulos, senior investigator, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. For making seminal contributions toward understanding and treating the prevalent human oral disease periodontitis. Her laboratory has contributed to the understanding of both homeostatic and pathogenic inflammation in the oral cavity, informing interventions for both rare and common forms of aggressive forms of periodontal disease.

Dr. Avindra Nath, clinical director at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. For pioneering research and strong leadership in emerging and persistent infections of the nervous system by studying pathophysiology, developing treatments, and conducting clinical studies. This includes retroviruses, Ebola, Zika, nodding syndrome, and COVID-19 as well as Long COVID, ME/CFS, and Gulf War syndrome.

Dr. Nina Schor, deputy director for intramural research. For pioneering research that has radically improved outcomes for children with tumors of the nervous system. She has been a role model, mentor, and beacon to countless other female physician-scientists throughout her amazing career, from bench scientist to academic dean to NIH leader.

Established in 1970 as the Institute of Medicine, NAM is an independent organization of eminent professionals from diverse fields including health and medicine; the natural, social and behavioral sciences; and beyond. It serves alongside the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering as an advisor to the nation and the international community.

The full list of 2024 class can be found at bit.ly/4hx0dXt.