May 14, 2021
The Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) is proud to share that one of our grantees Katherine A. Fitzgerald, PhD was elected into the National Academy of Sciences. Dr. Fitzgerald is recognized for her distinguished, original and continuing research in deciphering the molecular mechanisms of inflammatory processes that underpin a number of diseases including lupus. Dr. Fitzgerald serves as Co-Chair of the LRA’s Lupus Innovation Award and Lupus Mechanisms and Targets Award Study Section.
In her position as Professor of Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Dr. Fitzgerald is the Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research Chair, Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Medicine and Director of the Program in Innate Immunity.
“I am honored to be elected to the National Academy of Sciences and to have the work of my lab recognized in this way,” commented Dr. Fitzgerald. “This honor recognizes the contributions of all the students, post-docs and staff past and present I have been fortunate to work with over the last 20 years.”
Dr. Fitzgerald’s lab has made many seminal discoveries in areas including the role of DNA sensing molecules in the development of autoimmune disease, innate immune system signaling, and the understanding of long non-coding RNAs in the immune system.
“Election into the National Academy of Sciences is one of the highest scientific honors,” said Dr. Teodora Staeva LRA Chief Scientific Officer. “We are thrilled with Dr. Fitzgerald’s well-deserved distinction and grateful for her research efforts in lupus as well as her service to the Lupus Research Alliance.”
The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit institution that was established under a congressional charter signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. It recognizes achievement in science by election to membership, and—with the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Medicine—provides science, engineering, and health policy advice to the federal government and other organizations.
