Jon R. Lorsch Named NIGMS Director

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Photo of Jon R. Lorsch, Ph.D. Credit: Mike Ciesielski.
                                   Credit: Mike Ciesielski

I am delighted to tell you that NIH Director Francis Collins today announced his selection of Jon R. Lorsch as the new director of NIGMS. Dr. Lorsch expects to begin his appointment here in the summer of 2013.

Dr. Lorsch comes to NIH from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he is a professor in the Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry. He earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Harvard University with Jack Szostak and was a postdoctoral fellow in biochemistry at Stanford University with Daniel Herschlag. His research, which NIGMS has funded since 2000, focuses on translation initiation in eukaryotes. During his tenure at Hopkins, Dr. Lorsch was also involved in graduate and medical education, including curriculum reform, mentoring and spearheading new biomedical education initiatives.

In meeting with Dr. Lorsch, I have been most impressed by his understanding of NIH and the issues that are central to the NIGMS mission of supporting basic research, research training and workforce diversity. He brings a passion for science, a commitment to education and demonstrated leadership. We very much look forward to welcoming and working with him.

10 Replies to “Jon R. Lorsch Named NIGMS Director”

  1. Jon is a great catch for NIGMS. In 1999, we were very proud to have recruited him to our department at Johns Hopkins out of his postdoc with Dan Herschlag. At Johns Hopkins, he demonstrated his skills as a scientist, as a mentor and as a teacher. In addition, his tremendous leadership potential revealed itself soon after his arrival. He was a driving force in curriculum reform efforts, both in the graduate school and in the medical school. In these contexts, he demonstrated great commitment to first principles and fundamentals while, at the same time, integrating a wide range of perspectives into plans to move forward. He can manage well with day-to-day matters, but seems to thrive tackling tough and important problems that need addressing. I am sure that the NIGMS community will enjoy working with Jon through these challenging times.

    1. Thanks, Jeremy! I have been extremely lucky to have a number of incredible role models at Hopkins, most particularly you. I am very much looking forward to working closely with you in your position as President of ASBMB.

      Jon

      1. Jon: Congratulations on your selection. I am sure that I speak for many members of the scientific community when I say that we would be delighted to help you in any way that we can.

      2. Congratulations Jon! I will look forward to the possibility of working with you in forging liaisons between NIH and ASBMB, especially in international initiatives within the mitochondrial network.

        Best wishes, Laurie Kaguni
        (Michigan State and Univ of Tampere, Finland)

  2. Hi Jon.
    Heartfelt congratulations on your appointment! Those of us out there toiling in the trenches can feel a bit of increased optimism knowing that a great scientist and wonderful colleague is manning the front office. Best wishes for success in what is clearly a very challenging environment, and know that the basic science community is behind you all the way.

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