Susan K. Dutcher, Ph.D., Professor of Genetics and of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Dutcher is interested in the basic biology of cilia and uses Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a model system to study these organelles. Cilia are required for many developmental processes including left-right asymmetry, heart development, maintenance of the renal epithelium, respiratory function, electrolyte balance in the cerebrospinal fluid, and reproductive fecundity.
Friedhelm Hildebrandt, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics and of Human Genetics, Frederick Huetwell Professor for the Cure and Prevention of Birth Defects, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Investigator at the University of Michigan. He is among the world's leaders in elucidating the genetic basis for kidney disease in children. Dr. Hildebrandt graduated from Heidelberg University Medical School, served his pediatric residency at Marburg Children's Hospital, and was a fellow at Yale University Medical School. He and his colleagues have identified 11 genes implicated in nephronopthisis (a genetic disorder of the kidneys that affects children) and has made important contributions to the identification of ciliopathies as a class of human disease. Dr. Hildebrandt's studies, supported by NHI grants and HHMI, have produced over 200 publications. He has received the E. Mead Johnson Award, a Doris Duke Distinguished Clinical Scientist Award, and membership in the German National Academy of Sciences.
Robert P. Mecham, Ph.D., Alumni Endowed Professor of Cell Biology, Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, Professor of Medicine and Professor of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Mecham obtained his Ph.D. and postdoctoral education at Boston University studying the biology of elastin. He is a world-recognized expert in the biology of the extracellular matrix. His studies on vascular development have led to novel understanding of the pathogenesis of a number of important cardiac and pulmonary diseases of children.
Kelle H. Moley, M.D. is the James P. Crane Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Vice Chair For Basic Science Research and Director of the Division of Basic Science Research in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Washington University School of Medicine. She is also Professor in Cell biology and Physiology. Her research interests include the effects of maternal type 1 and type 2 diabetes on implantation and development. She also studies cellular glucose transport and insulin signaling. Her research has substantially impacted our understanding of reproductive performance and glucose utilization in diabetic animal models and how this may be applicable to the pathophysiology of diabetes in humans. Dr. Moley is principal investigator on multiple NIH grants exploring reproductive biology. Additionally, Moley is a member of the American Society of Clinical Investigation.
Marlene Rabinovitch, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics-Cardiology and Developmental Biology at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Rabinovitch is also Dunlevie Chair & Director, Cardiopulmonary Research, Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Disease and a member of the Research Faculty, Cancer Biology Program at Stanford University. Dr. Rabinovitch studies the regulation of genes associated with cardiovascular development and disease. One of her team's discoveries is the identification of a novel smooth muscle-cell enzyme (elastase) that plays a pivotal role in genetic mechanisms of many cardiovascular and pulmonary-vascular diseases. Dr. Rabinovitch received her medical degree from McGill University and did postdoctoral work in Pediatric Cardiology at Harvard Medical School. Her research has resulted in over 150 peer-reviewed publications; she has received many of the most prestigious scientific awards, including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Distinguished Scientist Award, the Basic Research Prize and Distinguished Scientist Award from the American Heart Association, and the American Thoracic Society's Recognition Award for Scientific Accomplishment.
Former Scientific Advisory Board Members
Sarah Elgin, Ph.D., Viktor Hamburger Professor in Arts & Sciences, Washington University.
Barbara A. Schaal, Ph.D., Mary-Dell Chilton Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences, Washington University; Vice President of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.
Steven L. Teitelbaum, M.D., Wilma and Roswell Messing Professor of Pathology, Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine.
Michael J. Welsh, M.D., Roy J. Carver Professor of Medicine and Cell Biology, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa; Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI); member, U.S. National Academy of Sciences.
Huda Y. Zoghbi, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics, Molecular and Human Genetics, Neurology and Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine; Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI); member, U.S. National Academy of Sciences.