Four early-career researchers from HMS researchers have been recognized by the Pew Charitable Trusts with multiyear grants to support their research.
Two HMS researchers have been named 2023 Pew Biomedical Scholars. The Pew Scholars Program in Biomedical Sciences provides funding to young investigators of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of human health.
“This new class of scholars embodies the creativity and curiosity that is key to scientific discovery,” said Craig C. Mello, chair of the national advisory committee for the scholars program.
“I am confident this group will do great things to advance biomedical science,” Mello said.
The two 2023 Pew Biomedical Scholars from HMS are:
- Josefina del Marmol, assistant professor of biological chemistry and molecular pharmacology in the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School, who will study how mosquitoes distinguish and target humans from other animals based on their sense of smell.
- Christopher Smillie, HMS assistant professor of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, who will study how gut bacteria adapt to the inflammatory environment that accompanies disorders such as irritable bowel disease.
Liron Bar-Peled, HMS assistant professor of medicine at Mass General, was named a Pew-Stewart Scholar for Cancer Research. The program supports promising early-career scientists whose research will accelerate discovery and advance progress to a cure for cancer. Bar-Peled’s research focuses on developing ovarian cancer therapies from certain proteins known to drive cancer.
María Belén Machin, HMS research fellow in medicine at Mass General, was named to the 2023 class of the Pew Latin American Fellows Program in Biomedical Sciences. The program provides two years of funding to postdoctoral fellows from Latin America to conduct research in the United States. Belén Machin’s research will explore the unique metabolic features of metastatic cancer cells.
Altaf Saadi, HMS assistant professor of neurology at Mass General, was named the winner of the 2023 Bernard Lown Award for Social Responsibility. The award recognizes clinicians age 45 or younger who have displayed leadership in social justice, environmentalism, global peace, or other humanitarian efforts.
Saadi was recognized for her work on behalf of immigrants and detainees, including: her leadership of the Physicians for Human Rights Asylum Network and MGH Asylum Clinic; creating Doctors for Immigrants, a website providing resources for health care institutions to be sanctuaries for immigrants; calling attention to abuse and poor conditions in immigration prisons; speaking out on the dangers of the use of neck restraints by law enforcement.
“Dr. Saadi is clearly unafraid to raise her voice and demand justice wherever it is needed, especially when the health of refugees is at stake,” said Vikas Saini, president of the Lown Institute.
“Her vision and bravery set an inspiring example for others to follow,” he added.
Four HMS research fellows have been named to receive 2023-24 Research Fellowship Awards from the National Cancer Center. The awards support research fellows pursuing promising and innovative cancer research.
“For 70 years, National Cancer Center has sought to identify and fund promising projects by the best up-and-coming cancer research fellows,” said Regina English, executive director of the National Cancer Center.
“We are excited by the energy and diversity of this year’s award winners, and we are hopeful about their progress,” English added.
The four new fellows from HMS are:
- Tanzina Tanu, HMS research fellow in medicine at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
- Sydney Moyer, HMS research fellow in medicine at Dana-Farber
- Xiaowei Wu, HMS research fellow in genetics
- Mingzeng Zhang, HMS research fellow in medicine at Dana-Farber
Two HMS graduate students have been named Gilliam Fellows by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The Gilliam Fellows Program invests in graduate students and their advisers who embody leadership in science and are committed to advancing equity and inclusion in science.
“The Gilliam Fellowship not only supports incredibly talented graduate students who are poised to become future leaders in science,” said Joshua Hall, senior program officer for the Gilliam Fellows Program. “It also engages thesis advisers and institutions in the work of creating training environments in which all students can thrive.”
The two new Gilliam Fellows from HMS are:
Nana Yaa Amoh, with her thesis adviser, Raul Mostoslavsky, HMS Laurel Schwartz Professor of Medicine in the Field of Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Destinee Aponte, with her thesis adviser, Christopher Harvey, associate professor of neurobiology in the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School.
