The American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) has selected Jay Horton, a professor of Internal Medicine and Molecular Genetics at University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center, to serve as Councilor of the prestigious society, and also invited three physician-scientists from the same institution to join the organization’s list of members.
Horton, who is the Chief of Digestive and Liver Diseases and holder of The Dr. Robert C. and Veronica Atkins Chair in Obesity & Diabetes Research, was elected due to his accomplishments in the development of cholesterol-lowering drugs, known as PCSK9 inhibitors. The investigator, who was already a member since 2003, will now begin attending the ASCI’s Council meeting and will help elect new members for the society.
“It is an honor to serve on the ASCI Council, as I hope we can play a critical role in developing innovative ways to train and keep talented physician-scientists engaged in research,” stated Horton in a press release. “In my view, the primary mission of the ASCI should be to provide guidance, opportunities, and role models who exhibit the rigor and standards of excellence in science necessary to inspire and sustain the development of the physician-scientist.”
In addition, the ASCI inducted three other UT Southwestern faculty members among the 75 new members of the Society. James de Lemos, a Professor and Associate Director of the Cardiovascular Fellowship Program at UT Southwestern and Cardiology Service Chief at Parkland Memorial Hospital, was selected for his work in the management of cardiac conditions, as well as research. He is also the Medical Director for the Dallas Heart Study and holder of the Sweetheart Ball-Kern Wildenthal, M.D., Ph.D., Distinguished Chair in Cardiology at UT Southwestern.
The Assistant Professor of Dermatology and co-leader of the adult Comprehensive Neurofibromatosis Clinic at UT Southwestern, Lu Q. Le was also invited to become an ASCI member. His research is focused on cancer biology and early genetic and microenvironmental interaction that impacts the development of tumors, discovering the original cells for several types of nerve tumors, such as neurofibromas, advancing investigation towards a potential treatment for Neurofibromatosis type 1.
The third UT Southwestern academic to join the ASCI was the Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, Heshman A. Sadek, who works in the field of heart tissue regeneration. His research has already resulted in the discovery of regeneration abilities of neonatal mammalian hearts, increasing the knowledge on the regeneration potential of adult hearts. The awarded scientist was also invited to address keynotes at the induction ceremony.
“We are delighted to see our physician-scientists recognized for their achievements with election to the ASCI. They, and the other members of our faculty who have been similarly honored in the past, embody an institutional commitment to integrate science and medicine to advance health care,” added the president of UT Southwestern, Daniel K. Podolsky, who is also a member of ASCI, holder of the Philip O’Bryan Montgomery, Jr., M.D. Distinguished Presidential Chair in Academic Administration, and the Doris and Bryan Wildenthal Distinguished Chair in Medical Science.