Inder Verma
Inder Verma | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 28, 1947 Sangrur, Punjab, India |
| Alma mater | Lucknow University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Weizmann Institute of Science |
| Known for | Cancer, Gene therapy, NF-kB |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Molecular Biology |
| Institutions | Salk Institute for Biological Studies |
Inder Mohan Verma (born November 28, 1947) is an American Cancer Society Professor of Molecular Biology in the Laboratory of Genetics at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies [1] and the University of California, San Diego.[2] He is recognized for seminal discoveries in the fields of cancer, immunology, and gene therapy.
Verma is the current editor-in-chief of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS).[3] He is also the Jury Chair for the Infosys Prize 2013 for the discipline of Life Sciences.
Early life and education
Inder M. Verma was born in 1947 in Sangrur, Punjab, India and educated at Lucknow University. He received his Ph.D. from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel in 1971 and conducted his postdoctoral research in the laboratory of Nobel laureate David Baltimore at MIT.
Career
In 1974, Verma joined the Salk Institute as an Assistant Professor. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1979, and Professor in 1985. He also holds an Adjunct Professor appointment at the University of California, San Diego. Among his professional activities, he is a member of the Board of Scientific Governors of The Scripps Research Institute.
Research
Verma is one of the foremost recognized leaders in gene therapy, retrovirology, and cancer. His work on viruses and cancer led to the identification of several oncogenes, including c-fos, and their function in normal cells. His development of virus mediated gene transfer techniques, including a stripped down version of HIV, has become the foundation for gene therapy to cure several congenital as well as adult onset diseases including cancer. The viral vectors are routinely used in molecular biology laboratories.
Personal life
He married Grietje van der Woude in 1973. They have a daughter Simone, who lives in La Jolla. They have twin granddaughters, Sophie and Marijke.
Awards and honors
- 2010: Pasarow Award in Cancer Research
- 2010: Spector Prize, from Columbia University
- 2009: Irwin & Joan Jacobs Chair in Exemplary Life Sciences
- 2009: American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy Outstanding Achievement Award [4]
- 2008: Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Sciences[5]
- 2008: AAISCR Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2007: Cozzarelli Prize (PNAS paper of the year)
- 2006: Member of the American Philosophical Society [6]
- 2006: Fellow of the AAAS
- 2005: Foreign Fellow, Indian National Science Academy (INSA)
- 2000: Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences [7]
- 1999: Member, Institute of Medicine of The National Academy of Sciences (USA) [8]
- 1998: Associate Member, European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
- 1997: Member, The National Academy of Science (USA)
- 1997: Foreign Fellow, The National Academy of Sciences, India
- 1997: Fellow, American Society for Microbiology
- 1995: Member, The Third World Academy of Sciences
- 1995: Charaka Award of The Association of Indians in America
- 1993: Thrombosis Research Institute, London, Annual Award for 1993
- 1990: American Cancer Society Professor of Molecular Biology
- 1988: NIH Outstanding Investigator Award
- 1987: NIH Merit Award
- 1985: Medal for Outstanding Scientist of North American Scientists of Indian Origin
- 1970–1973: Fellow of the Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund for Medical Research
- 1967–1970: Reverend Solomon B. Caulker Memorial Fellowship
- 1964–1966: First in order of merit in M.Sc.
References
- ^ "Salk Institute Faculty Directory". Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ^ "UCSD Biology Faculty Directory". Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ^ "PNAS Editorial Board". Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ^ "ASGCT press release". Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ^ "Vilcek Foundation press release". Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ^ "APS member directory". Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ^ "Book of Members, 1780–2010: Chapter V" (PDF). American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ^ "IOM member directory". Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- 1947 births
- American biologists
- American medical researchers
- American people of Indian descent
- Cancer researchers
- Indian medical researchers
- Living people
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology faculty
- Members of the United States National Academy of Sciences
- Foreign Fellows of the Indian National Science Academy
- People from Sangrur
- University of Lucknow alumni
- Weizmann Institute of Science alumni
- Academic journal editors