The Washington State Academy of Sciences (WSAS) announced 38 new members, six of which are UW School of Medicine faculty. They are recognized for their outstanding record of scientific and technical achievement, and their willingness to work on behalf of the Academy to bring the best available science to bear on issues within the state of Washington.
- Kristie Ebi, PhD, MPH, professor, Department of Global Health, was elected for her work on the health impacts of climate change, on climate impact forecasting, on adaptation to climate change and on climate policy to protect health.
- Jonathan Himmelfarb, MD, director, Kidney Research Center, Co-Director, Center for Dialysis Innovation, was elected for pioneering contributions and outstanding achievements in the development of the novel wearable artificial kidney, as well as numerous investigator-initiated clinical trials and multi-center collaborative studies.
- Tueng Shen, MD, PhD, associate dean, Medical Technology Innovation/Graham and Brenda Siddall Endowed Chair, was elected for developing and providing first class clinical treatment of severe corneal blindness to hundreds of people, for establishing the world premier artificial cornea program in Washington, and for leading collaborative research to translate innovative engineering technologies into creative clinical solution.
- Wesley C. Van Voorhis, MD, PhD, professor of Medicine, was elected for his global recognition as an authority on drug and vaccine development for viral and parasitic diseases through work as an infectious disease physician and immunologist.
- Monica Vavilala, MD, director, Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center and professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine and Pediatrics, adjunct professor of Neurological Surgery and Radiology, was elected for her outstanding leadership in pediatric anesthesiology and in the care of children with traumatic brain injury. For her internationally recognized expertise in traumatic brain injury and direction of the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center for the last decade as an exceptional mentor and visionary leader.
- Rachel Wong, PhD, professor of Biological Structure, National Academies of Sciences (NAS) 2021, was selected for elucidating cellular transformations through which neurons pattern their dendrites, and the interplay of activity-dependent and -independent mechanisms leading to assembly of stereotyped circuits. For revelations regarding the fundamental principles of neuronal development through the application of an elegant combination of in vivo imaging, physiology, ultrastructure, and genetics to the vertebrate retina.
New members will be inducted at the 14th Annual Members’ Meeting on September 16, 2021.
