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MD Anderson president to join science academy
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Ronald DePinho
Ronald DePinho, MD, president of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
The academy comprises scholars who are engaged in scientific and engineering research. When called upon by the government, the members investigate, examine and provide independent advice about matters related to science and technology.
The society has about 2,150 active members. Famous members have included Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell and Orville Wright.
“I’m thrilled beyond words,” DePinho said in a press release. “It’s recognition of the enormous dedication and talent of the trainees that have been in my lab. I have been incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by great people at great institutions throughout my career. Most importantly, this is an award recognizing the personal and scientific support of my wife, Dr. Lynda Chin.”
DePinho has conducted extensive basic and translational research in cancer, aging and age-associated degenerative disorders. His focus areas have included cancer drug and biomarker development, stem cell biology and cancer gene discovery.
“DePinho’s work on telomeres and checkpoints established that telomere attrition can have dual effects in human cancer by driving tumor suppression or enhancement, depending on genetic background,” a citation from the academy reads. “His work also uncovered the mechanism for the increasing risk that advancing age confers on the development of the common human epithelial malignancies.”