The Academy cited his work to define the signatures of somatic mutations in many cancer types, defined patterns of selection operative during cellular transformation, and identified genes involved in specific tumours as they form, progress, and metastasize.
Election to the Academy is considered one of the highest honours in the fields of health and medicine and recognises individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service. New members are elected by current members through a process that recognises individuals who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care, and public health.
Victor J. Dzau, National Academy of Medicine President, said: “This extraordinary class of new members is comprised of exceptional scholars and leaders who have been at the forefront of responding to serious public health challenges, combatting social inequities, and achieving innovative discoveries. Their expertise will be vital to informing the future of health and medicine for the benefit of us all. I am truly honoured to welcome these esteemed individuals to the National Academy of Medicine.”
Established originally as the Institute of Medicine in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine addresses critical issues in health, science, medicine, and related policy and inspires positive actions across sectors. NAM works alongside the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions.
Dr Peter Campbell, Head of the Institute’s Cancer, Ageing and Somatic Mutation programme, said: “It is a tremendous honour to be elected to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. I sincerely thank my fellow Academy members for their estimation of my contribution to the field of cancer genomics, as well as all the mentors, colleagues and collaborators through the years without whom none of this work would have been possible.”
Image: Dr Peter Campbell, Head of Cancer, Ageing and Somatic Mutation research programme at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Credit: Onur Pinar / Wellcome Sanger Institute.
