Gladstone Institutes scientists Melanie Ott, MD, PhD, and Alex Marson, MD, PhD, have earned one of the highest honors in health and medicine with their election to the National Academy of Medicine .
The distinction recognizes Ott and Marson for their groundbreaking contributions to medical science and public health. Both were formally elected during the academy’s annual meeting this week in Washington, DC—an event that celebrated the election of 90 regular members and 10 international members chosen by their peers.
“Election to the National Academy of Medicine is a well-deserved recognition of the transformative impact both Melanie and Alex have made in their respective fields,” says Deepak Srivastava, MD, president of Gladstone Institutes and also a member of the National Academy of Medicine. “Melanie’s tireless work unraveling viral mechanisms and preparing us for future pandemics, alongside Alex’s revolutionary work reprogramming human immune cells to fight disease, embody Gladstone’s mission to overcome some of humanity’s most daunting medical challenges. We’re proud to celebrate this extraordinary milestone with them.”
Unraveling Viral Mechanisms to Prepare for Tomorrow’s Threats
Ott serves as director of the Gladstone Infectious Disease Institute and as senior vice president at Gladstone. She is also the Nick and Sue Hellmann Distinguished Professor and a professor in the Department of Medicine at UC San Francisco.
She is recognized by the National Academies for seminal contributions toward efforts to cure AIDS by mapping the epigenetics of latent HIV, for pioneering CRISPR-based and mobile phone diagnostics, and for translating fundamental virology into innovative prevention and treatment strategies. She’s also honored for her globally recognized leadership in pandemic preparedness and mentorship of the next generation of scientists.
Ott’s lab focuses on understanding how dangerous pathogens such as HIV, COVID-19, and hepatitis C hijack human cells—with the goal of thwarting today’s viruses and preparing for emerging threats. Ott also directs the NIH-funded HOPE Collaboratory, which seeks to both silence and permanently remove HIV from the body.
“I’m deeply grateful for this honor, and especially grateful to the many wonderful people I’ve had the privilege of working with over the years,” Ott says. “The challenges posed by HIV and other viruses have taught us that real-world progress comes from scientists working together—across disciplines and countries. I’m honored to join the National Academy of Medicine and excited to help build resilience against global health threats.”
Engineering Immunotherapies Through Genomic Innovation
Marson serves as the Connie and Bob Lurie Director of the Gladstone-UCSF Institute for Genomic Immunology. He is also a professor in the Departments of Medicine and Microbiology and Immunology at UCSF.
He was elected to the National Academies for revolutionizing genome engineering in human immune cells and pioneering new CRISPR-based technologies to unravel the mysteries of our immune system. His discoveries have transformed the landscape of functional genomics and immunotherapy, enabling next-generation treatments for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases.
Marson’s lab pioneers advanced gene-editing technologies to rewrite DNA programs in human immune cells, effectively developing programmable “living medicines” to treat a range of diseases.
“I am deeply honored to join the National Academy of Medicine alongside so many exceptional colleagues,” says Marson, who also serves as center director of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Gladstone Institutes and scientific director for biomedicine at the Innovative Genomics Institute. “This is a wonderful recognition of the incredible scientists comprising our multidisciplinary team and our partners who are working collaboratively at the intersection of genomics and immunology. I look forward to working with the Academy to harness the power of immunotherapies for patients who urgently need them”
Gladstone’s Legacy of Leadership in Health and Science
With the election of Marson and Ott, Gladstone is now home to nine members of the National Academy of Medicine. Other Gladstone members, in addition to Srivastava, include Jennifer Doudna, PhD, Warner Greene, MD, PhD , Robert W. Mahley, MD, PhD , Lennart Mucke, MD , Katie Pollard, PhD, and Shinya Yamanaka, MD, PhD .
The newly elected members bring total membership to more than 2,600, which includes more than 300 international members.
“I am thrilled to welcome these outstanding health and medicine leaders into the National Academy of Medicine,” says National Academy of Medicine President Monica M. Bertagnolli. “Their extraordinary talent and commitment to advancing evidence-based guidance and solutions for our country’s greatest health care challenges will strengthen our efforts to improve health for all.”
Established originally as the Institute of Medicine in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine addresses critical issues in health, science, medicine, and related policy and inspires positive actions across sectors.
About Gladstone
Gladstone Institutes is an independent, nonprofit life science research organization that uses visionary science and technology to overcome disease. Established in 1979, it is located in the epicenter of biomedical and technological innovation, in the Mission Bay neighborhood of San Francisco. Gladstone has created a research model that disrupts how science is done, funds big ideas, and attracts the brightest minds.