Salk Researcher named to Institute of Medicine

December 10, 2003

Salk Researcher named to Institute of Medicine

December 10, 2003

La Jolla, CA – Ronald Evans, the March of Dimes Chair in Developmental and Cell Biology at the Salk Institute, was named to the Institute of Medicine (IOM). Part of the U.S. National Academies, the IOM each year selects members who have made major contributions to furthering human health and advancing science.

Evans was one of 65 leaders in these fields named a member of the IOM. Members are expected to serve on institute committees and help prepare reports that guide the U.S. government on health and science issues. Established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine currently has about 1,400 members.

Evans is the fifth Salk faculty member to be elected into the IOM. The other faculty members are Fred H. Gage, Stephen Heinemann, Wylie Vale and Inder Verma.

“I’m honored to be selected as a member of his prestigious academy,” Evans said. “I look forward to working on helping the government address some of our most pressing health challenges, including heart disease, obesity and diabetes.”

Evans is known for his research on molecular pathways that transmit messages to the cell’s DNA and regulate gene expression. His work has resulted in new treatments for diabetes and in experimental remedies for a host of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Evans also was named one of the top ten most-cited scientists in the past 20 years by the Institute for Scientific Information.

“Members of the Institute of Medicine are elected through a highly selective process that recognizes those who have made major contributions to the advancement of medical sciences, health care, and public health,” said IOM President Harvey V. Fineberg. “Election is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of medicine and health.”

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, located in La Jolla, Calif., is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to fundamental discoveries in the life sciences, the improvement of human health and conditions, and the training of future generations of researchers. Jonas Salk, M.D., founded the institute in 1960 with a gift of land from the City of San Diego and the financial support of the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation.