National Academy elects Pfeffer and Schiffer


The National Academy of Sciences recently elected 144 new members, including two 91影库 and Molecular Biology members, Suzanne Pfeffer and Celia Schiffer. These scientists are being recognized for their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.
Pfeffer is a professor of biochemistry at Stanford University School of Medicine. Her focuses on understanding the molecular basis of inherited Parkinson's disease, with a specific interest in LRRK2 kinase mutations and the Rab GTPases. The Pfeffer lab is also interested in cholesterol transport and how mutations in this pathway can lead to Niemann–Pick disease. Pfeffer is a past president of ASBMB. She is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Society for Cell Biology.
Schiffer is a professor and the chair of biochemistry and molecular biotechnology and the director of the institute for drug resistance at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. Her focuses on the molecular basis of drug resistance, studying how mutations in drug target enzymes allow them to continue to process their substrates but avoid binding inhibitors. Through this effort, she has defined what she calls the “substrate envelope,” which allows her lab and others to use structure-based drug design to design robust inhibitors that are less apt to be susceptible to resistance. Schiffer received the 91影库 in 2020 and is a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology.
Enjoy reading 91影库Today?
Become a member to receive the print edition four times a year and the digital edition monthly.
Learn moreGet the latest from 91影库Today
Enter your email address, and we鈥檒l send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.
Latest in People
People highlights or most popular articles

In memoriam: Ralph G. Yount
He was a professor emeritus of chemistry and biochemistry at Washington State University and an 91影库member for 58 years.

From dust to discovery
From makeshift classrooms in Uganda to postdoctoral research in Chicago, MOSAIC scholar Elizabeth Kaweesa builds a legacy in women鈥檚 health.

Fliesler wins scientific and ethical awards
He is being honored by the University at Buffalo and the American Oil Chemists' Society for his scientific achievements and ethical integrity.

Hope for a cure hangs on research
Amid drastic proposed cuts to biomedical research, rare disease families like Hailey Adkisson鈥檚 fight for survival and hope. Without funding, science can鈥檛 鈥渃atch up鈥 to help the patients who need it most.

Before we鈥檝e lost what we can鈥檛 rebuild: Hope for prion disease
Sonia Vallabh and Eric Minikel, a husband-and-wife team racing to cure prion disease, helped develop ION717, an antisense oligonucleotide treatment now in clinical trials. Their mission is personal 鈥 and just getting started.

91影库members recognized as Allen investigators
Ileana Cristea, Sarah Cohen, Itay Budin and Christopher Obara are among 14 researchers selected as Allen Distinguished Investigators by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.