Yale Medical School Faculty Earn Prestigious National Recognition for Health and Medicine Achievements
On October 20, 2025, it was announced that three distinguished faculty members from the Yale School of Medicine have been inducted into the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) as part of its 2025 membership class. This prestigious recognition is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of medicine and health, marking one of the highest honors available in these domains.
Dr. Martina Brueckner, a Professor of Pediatrics specializing in cardiology and genetics, is celebrated for her groundbreaking research into the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for left-right asymmetry in vertebrates. This research has crucial implications for understanding the arrangement and positioning of organs in our bodies. Furthermore, she played a pivotal role in identifying a genetic cause for about 40% of congenital heart diseases, which can lead to better diagnostic and treatment options.
Another notable inductee is Dr. Lieping Chen, who serves as a Professor of Cancer Research at United Technologies Corporation and is also a faculty member in immunobiology, dermatology, and oncology. His impactful research has significantly advanced our understanding of how cancers can evade immune detection. Dr. Chen is renowned for his discovery of the PD-L1 molecule, a protein found on cancerous cells that hinders the immune response and facilitates tumor growth. His research underscores the heightened expression of PD-L1 in various cancers and emphasizes the potential for targeting this molecule to boost immune system capabilities against tumors. This work has been foundational in the development of several critical immunotherapies that are transforming cancer treatment protocols worldwide.
Finally, Dr. Tamas Horvath, holding roles as the Jean and David W. Wallace Professor of Comparative Medicine and a Professor of Neuroscience and Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, has made profound contributions to our understanding of how the hypothalamus regulates metabolism. His research has unveiled the intricate ways in which hypothalamic metabolic circuits influence higher brain functions and contribute to neurodegenerative processes. This has shifted paradigms within the research community regarding integrative physiology in both health and disease states.
Together, Brueckner, Chen, and Horvath join the ranks of approximately 2,500 current NAM members. Each year, the Academy welcomes 100 new members—90 from the United States and 10 from international territories—selected by existing members based on their exceptional academic achievements and commitment to service.
About the Yale School of Medicine: The Yale School of Medicine is renowned for educating leaders in medicine and science, promoting rigorous inquiry and research. It stands at the forefront of biomedical research, clinical care, and medical education. With a faculty of over 1,700 medical professionals, Yale provides compassionate care to patients globally, emphasizing critical thinking and independent research in its educational framework, thus preparing its graduates to excel in the medical field.
Dr. Martina Brueckner, a Professor of Pediatrics specializing in cardiology and genetics, is celebrated for her groundbreaking research into the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for left-right asymmetry in vertebrates. This research has crucial implications for understanding the arrangement and positioning of organs in our bodies. Furthermore, she played a pivotal role in identifying a genetic cause for about 40% of congenital heart diseases, which can lead to better diagnostic and treatment options.
Another notable inductee is Dr. Lieping Chen, who serves as a Professor of Cancer Research at United Technologies Corporation and is also a faculty member in immunobiology, dermatology, and oncology. His impactful research has significantly advanced our understanding of how cancers can evade immune detection. Dr. Chen is renowned for his discovery of the PD-L1 molecule, a protein found on cancerous cells that hinders the immune response and facilitates tumor growth. His research underscores the heightened expression of PD-L1 in various cancers and emphasizes the potential for targeting this molecule to boost immune system capabilities against tumors. This work has been foundational in the development of several critical immunotherapies that are transforming cancer treatment protocols worldwide.
Finally, Dr. Tamas Horvath, holding roles as the Jean and David W. Wallace Professor of Comparative Medicine and a Professor of Neuroscience and Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, has made profound contributions to our understanding of how the hypothalamus regulates metabolism. His research has unveiled the intricate ways in which hypothalamic metabolic circuits influence higher brain functions and contribute to neurodegenerative processes. This has shifted paradigms within the research community regarding integrative physiology in both health and disease states.
Together, Brueckner, Chen, and Horvath join the ranks of approximately 2,500 current NAM members. Each year, the Academy welcomes 100 new members—90 from the United States and 10 from international territories—selected by existing members based on their exceptional academic achievements and commitment to service.
About the Yale School of Medicine: The Yale School of Medicine is renowned for educating leaders in medicine and science, promoting rigorous inquiry and research. It stands at the forefront of biomedical research, clinical care, and medical education. With a faculty of over 1,700 medical professionals, Yale provides compassionate care to patients globally, emphasizing critical thinking and independent research in its educational framework, thus preparing its graduates to excel in the medical field.
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