Gordon Honored with Prestigious Nemmers Prize at St. Louis Med School
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Jeffrey I. Gordon, MD from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been honored with the 2024 Mechthild Esser Nemmers Prize in Medical Science from Northwestern University for his transformative understanding of human health and the role of the gut microbiome. Known as a pioneer in gut microbiome research, Gordon’s work has significantly advanced the understanding of human health and diseases, particularly those with undervalued microbiome origins. His work has led to a widely adopted paradigm for identifying therapeutic targets in the microbiome and deliberate ways to repair disrupted microbiome properties associated with diseases, including the development of microbiome-directed therapeutic foods for childhood malnutrition.
Groundbreaking Gut Microbiome Researcher Receives Prestigious Nemmers Prize in Medical Science
Jeffrey I. Gordon, MD from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, a pioneer in gut microbiome research, has been awarded the 2024 Mechthild Esser Nemmers Prize in Medical Science by Northwestern University. The prestigious Nemmers Prize, given biennially, honours physician-scientists whose groundbreaking medical research has lasting significance.
Gordon is globally acknowledged for his revolutionary work in understanding the human gut microbiome’s influence on health, leading to breakthroughs in previously unknown microbiome origins of noncommunicable diseases. As the honored recipient, Gordon will deliver a keynote lecture on September 30th at Northwestern University.
The esteemed scientist also heads the Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology at Washington University School of Medicine and has been instrumental in determining therapeutic targets in the microbiome. His research has led to significant advancements in the treatment of childhood malnutrition, the primary cause of death in children under five.
Gordon’s pioneering work has been recognized worldwide. His team’s discovery and development of microbiome-directed therapeutic foods have been characterized in Bangladeshi children with malnutrition and are soon to be tested in multiple sites in East and West Africa and Southeast Asia with support from the World Health Organization and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Praising Gordon, Eric G. Neilson, MD, the vice president for medical affairs and dean at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine, said, “Jeff is a pioneering physician-scientist […] We are honored to have him receive the Nemmers Prize in Medical Science, which recognizes his profound contributions to improving the health of humankind.”
The much-anticipated universitywide symposium titled “Eras of the Microbiome”, honoring Gordon’s lifetime contributions, will be held on April 25 and 26 at the Eric P. Newman Education Center.
Gordon has been honored with many prestigious awards for his extraordinary contributions to science and medicine. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society.
About Washington University School of Medicine
WashU Medicine is a global leader in academic medicine, biomedical research, patient care and educational programs. Its research funding portfolio is the second largest among U.S. medical schools. It commits over $1 billion annually to basic and clinical research innovation and training.
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