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Michael R. Green, MD, PhD |
The National Academy of Medicine has announced the election of Michael R. Green, MD, PhD, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, the Lambi and Sarah Adams Chair in Genetic Research, chair and professor of molecular, cell, & cancer biology, professor of molecular medicine and director of the UMass Medical School Cancer Center, for his distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Dr. Green was elected to the National Academy of Sciences earlier this year and is the first UMMS faculty member to be named to two national academies. He is also an elected associate member (foreign associate) of the European Molecular Biology Organization.
“Michael Green is an accomplished scientist and highly cited author who has discovered fundamental insights into the fields of transcriptional regulation and splicing. His scholarly accomplishments are most impressive,” said Chancellor Michael F. Collins. “He has brought a great distinction to our university and I believe it is extremely fitting that he is the first of our faculty to be elected to two national academies.”
“Dr. Green’s research is changing our understanding of higher orders of gene regulation, beyond the linear sequence of bases on the DNA strand. These epigenetic changes will be the key to deeper understanding of a wide range of diseases, including cancer and neurodevelopmental disorders,” said Terence R. Flotte, MD, the Celia and Isaac Haidak Professor of Medical Education, executive deputy chancellor, provost and dean of the School of Medicine.
The NAM is formerly the Institute of Medicine, whichwas established in 1970 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to advise the nation on medical and health issues. Members are elected to the NAM by their peers for distinguished contributions to medicine and health. Membership in the NAM is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievements and commitment to service. Current active members elect new members from among candidates nominated for their accomplishments and contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care and public health. The newly elected members raise NAM’s total active membership to 1,826 and the number of international members to 137.
Green joins two colleagues in the National Academy of Medicine: Robert H. Brown Jr., DPhil, MD, theLeo P. and Theresa M. LaChance Chair in Medical Research and chair and professor of neurology, and John Ware, PhD, professor of quantitative health sciences and chief of the Outcomes Measurement Division.
Nobel laureate Craig C. Mello, PhD, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, the Blais University Chair in Molecular Medicineand distinguished professor of molecular medicine and cell & developmental biology, and Victor Ambros, PhD, the Silverman Chair in Natural Sciences and professor of molecular medicine and Green are members of the National Academy of Sciences.
The National Academy of Medicine works together with the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. The academies also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increase public understanding in matters of science, engineering and medicine.
Green studies the mechanisms that regulate gene expression in eukaryotes and the role of gene expression in various human disease states. He also uses transcription-based approaches and functional screens to identify new genes and regulatory pathways involved in cancer. These studies are intended to enhance understanding of how normal cells become cancerous and to reveal potential new targets for therapeutic intervention.
Green received his MD and PhD degrees from Washington University School of Medicine in 1981. He was awarded a Helen Hay Whitney Postdoctoral Fellowship to perform postdoctoral work at Harvard University in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He became a faculty member in that department at Harvard in 1984, where he remained until he joined the Program in Molecular Medicine at UMMS in 1990. He has been the recipient of the Searle Scholar Award, the Presidential Young Investigators Award, the McKnight Neuroscience Award, and in 1993 was invited to deliver a Harvey Lecture. In 1994, Dr. Green was made an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Related links on UMassMedNow:
Michael Green elected to National Academy of Sciences
Michael Green appointed director of UMass Cancer Center
