Scientific pioneer joins Biodesign Board

July 16, 2007

ASU’s Biodesign Institute recently named acclaimed cell biologist James Rothman to its advisory board.<separator></separator>Rothman is a professor of physiology and cellular biophysics at Columbia University, director and founder of Columbia’s Center for Chemical Biology, and chief scientific adviser and senior adviser for biomedical research at GE Global Research.<separator></separator>Rothman, known for his pioneer work on cellular transport, is a recipient of the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research and the King Faisal Award. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and its Institute of Medicine.<separator></separator>The advisory board is an elite, 13-member group chaired by Stephen Benkovic, who is the Evan Pugh Professor and Eberly Chair in Chemistry for Penn State.<separator></separator>“Dr. Rothman is one of those rare individuals who has been simultaneously successful in the distinct arenas of academic and industrial research operations,” Benkovic says. “His analytical intellect and breadth of knowledge make him a tremendous asset to our board.”<separator></separator>Members of the Biodesign Institute Advisory Board provide external reviews of the institute’s research, which helps its leaders determine where improvements are needed.<separator></separator>“The board provides objective feedback from top thought leaders in their fields,” says George Poste, director of the Biodesign Institute. “Organizational isolation is the enemy of good science, and so we consider this type of exchange critical to our success.”