(MEMPHIS, Tenn. – May 04, 2026) The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) recently announced the election of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital immunologist, Hongbo Chi , PhD, Department of Immunology chair, to its membership. Election to the NAS is one of the highest honors a scientist can receive for original research.
“Hongbo’s election to the National Academy of Sciences recognizes the lasting impact of his work in the field of immunology, specifically his pioneering research in immunometabolism,” said James R. Downing , MD, St. Jude president and CEO. “His commitment to the St. Jude mission, along with his recent leadership of the Department of Immunology, points to the important contributions he continues to make to advance cures for pediatric catastrophic diseases.”
Chi was one of 120 new members and 25 international members elected. The now 2,705 members and 557 international members that comprise the renowned society of scholars are all recognized for their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Established in 1863, the NAS is committed to furthering science in the United States and providing objective advice to the nation on matters related to science and technology.
Chi was selected based on his field-defining work connecting immunology, metabolism and the regulatory networks controlling adaptive immunity. His research efforts have fundamentally advanced the understanding of immune cell metabolism and function and have inspired novel engineering approaches for next-generation cancer immunotherapies.
“I am deeply honored to be elected to the National Academy of Sciences. This recognition reflects the extraordinary research environment of St. Jude and the wonderful colleagues, trainees and mentors I’ve had the privilege to work with,” Chi said. “I’m proud to contribute to a mission-driven institution that values both fundamental science and meaningful impact, and I’m excited for what comes next in immunology and immunometabolism.”
Before coming to St. Jude, Chi earned his PhD from the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York, and trained as a postdoctoral researcher at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
Continuing a culture of excellence
In addition to the NAS election, Chi has also been recognized as a 2023 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science , the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the Science Family of Journals. Chi has also maintained a position on the Highly Cited Researchers list, compiled by the Institute for Scientific Information at Clarivate, for the last six years.
Chi is preceded in NAS membership by Martine Roussel , PhD, Department of Tumor Cell Biology ; Brenda Schulman , PhD, Department of Structural Biology ; Douglas Green , PhD, Department of Immunology; Charles Sherr, MD, PhD , Department of Tumor Cell Biology chair; and emeritus faculty members Robert Webster , PhD, Department of Infectious Diseases , and Peter Doherty, PhD , Department of Immunology.
Additionally, St. Jude faculty in the National Academy of Medicine include: Downing; J. Paul Taylor, MD, PhD , St. Jude executive vice president, scientific director and Department of Cell & Molecular Biology member; P. David Rogers, PharmD, PhD , Department of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences chair; Mitchell Weiss, MD, PhD , Department of Hematology chair; and emeritus faculty members William Evans, PharmD , former president and CEO; and Mary Relling, PharmD , Department of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences member. The late Arthur W. Nienhuis, MD , former St. Jude director and CEO, was also a member, as are Doherty and Sherr.
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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats, and cures childhood catastrophic diseases. From cancer to life-threatening blood disorders, neurological conditions, and infectious diseases, St. Jude is dedicated to advancing cures and means of prevention through groundbreaking research and compassionate care. Through global collaborations and innovative science, St. Jude is working to ensure that every child, everywhere, has the best chance at a healthy future. To learn more, visit stjude.org , read St. Jude Progress, a digital magazine , and follow St. Jude on social media at @stjuderesearch .