The UMass Chan Medical School community embraced its newest Nobel Laureate on Monday, Oct. 7, after Victor Ambros, PhD, was named the co-recipient of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his co-discovery of microRNA.
Accompanied by his wife, Rosalind “Candy” Lee, senior scientist and first author on the seminal 1993 Cell paper cited by the Nobel Committee, Dr. Ambros, the Silverman Chair in Natural Sciences and professor of molecular medicine, arrived at the Worcester campus early that morning to a chorus of congratulations from colleagues, students and friends.
A champagne toast in his lab at the new education and research building was followed by a packed press conference in the Albert Sherman Center, where local and national media and the UMass Chan community, as well as an online audience, listened to Ambros explain his science and how this community has supported him.
“This is an institution that is, I think, getting right as best as any institution can . . . the formula for making it possible for people of all sorts to come together and really do science in a way that's synergistic,” Ambros said, “where communication and sharing of ideas is the expectation, not the exception. You know, where collaborations occur naturally.”
Chancellor Michael F. Collins, traveling abroad and offering congratulations from Greece, said, “Victor, it's a momentous day for you, but I want you to know the great pride that our institution has in you and what you've accomplished in science.” Distinguished Professor Craig Mello, PhD, co-recipient of the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of RNA interference, spoke as well, crediting Ambros for the support he gave as his mentor.
Later that afternoon, Ambros and Lee met his longtime collaborator Gary B. Ruvkun, PhD, of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School and co-recipient of the 2024 Nobel Prize, at the UMass Club in Boston to celebrate their achievement. UMass President Marty Meehan celebrated with them and their families.
On Tuesday, Oct. 8, Executive Deputy Chancellor and Provost Terence R. Flotte held a special meeting of department chairs on campus to offer their thanks and praise for Ambros.
“You’re our champion and in addition to being an incredibly brilliant and critical thinker, you are among the nicest, most humblest human beings that exist,” said Flotte.
Watch this video to learn more about the Nobel Laureate and the support of the UMass Chan community.
