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Two Columbia University scientists have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences and are among the 72 new members honored for their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.
Ann McDermott, professor of chemistry, and Stephen Goff, professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics, were elected on April 25 at the 143rd annual meeting of the Academy.
McDermott's research focuses on the development and applications of new spectroscopic techniques to study proteins that play a variety of roles in biology. These studies are aimed at understanding the mechanism of basic cellular processes, such as the acceleration of chemistry by enzymes and the binding of drugs to their targets.
"Despite the fact that there are many who, fairly, should be ahead of me in this honor, I am nevertheless deeply flattered," McDermott said of her election.
Stephen Goff focuses on understanding how retroviruses such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replicate and cause disease, and how oncogenes affect cellular regulation to impact cancer.
"Steve is noteworthy as a scientific star who has always made time to contribute to the Columbia community," says colleague Aaron Mitchell, professor of molecular pathogenesis in the department of microbiology. "He is a popular mentor for Ph.D. and M.D. students; he serves on numerous thesis committees, and he is one of the course directors for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Eukaryotes, which he and our colleague Richard Mann have revamped extensively."
Goff is also an investigator for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Their elections bring the total number of active members to 2,013. The National Academy of Sciences is an organization of scientists and engineers dedicated to furthering science and its use for the general public.
"Election to the Academy is considered one of the highest honors in American science and engineering," Academy President Ralph Cicerone said following the announcement.
Andrew R. Marks, director of the Center for Molecular Cardiology, and Iva S. Greenwald, professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics, were elected in 2005.
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