Dzau, also chancellor for Health Affairs at Duke University and president and CEO for Duke University Health System, is set to assume the IOM presidency July 1 when the incumbent Dr. Harvey V. Fineberg completes his second six-year term.
“We welcome Dzau’s appointment and believe it will pave the way for ethnic Chinese scientists to further contribute to medical research on diseases and other public health issues common among Chinese people,” Academia Sinica Vice President Chen Chien-jen said Feb. 21.
According to Academia Sinica, Dzau is highly regarded as a trailblazer in translational research, health innovation and global health care strategy and delivery. His seminal research laid the foundation for the development of angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, which are used for the treatment of high blood pressure and congestive heart failure around the world.
Dzau also pioneered gene therapy for vascular diseases, being the first to introduce DNA decoy molecules to block transcriptions as gene therapy in humans, Academia Sinica added.
The incoming IOM president holds numerous awards and honors, including the Gustav Nylin Medal from the Swedish Royal College of Medicine; Polzer Prize from the European Academy of Sciences and Arts; Distinguished Scientist Award from the American Heart Association; and 2010 AHA Research Achievement Award for his contributions to cardiovascular biology and medicine.
Established in 1970, the IOM advises U.S. government policymakers, medical professionals and the public on various issues spanning health care delivery, obesity, vaccine safety and veterans’ health. (DF-JSM)
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