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Johns Hopkins University Professor to receive award at ASHG 2013 meeting
BETHESDA, MD. – July 23, 2013 — The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) has named Aravinda Chakravarti, Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Medicine, Pediatrics and Molecular Biology and Genetics and Department of Biostatistics at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, as the 2013 recipient of the annual William Allan Award.
The Allan Award, which recognizes a scientist for substantial and far-reaching scientific contributions to human genetics, was established in 1961 in memory of William Allan, M.D. (1881 to 1943), one of the first American physicians to conduct extensive research on human genetics and hereditary diseases. Dr. Chakravarti will receive his award, which will include an engraved medal and cash prize, on Friday, October 25, during ASHG’s 63rd annual meeting in Boston and will present his William Allan Award address immediately thereafter.
Dr. Chakravarti’s many contributions to human genetics range from population and statistical genetics to the genetics of complex disease. In addition to developing several critical genomics methods that have been adopted by scientists worldwide, Dr. Chakravarti played a crucial role in the identification of the gene mutation associated with cystic fibrosis and discovered a common variant associated with susceptibility to autism. He also pioneered linkage disequilibrium mapping to identify a recombination hotspots in hemoglobinopathies and mapped the key genes and non-coding mutations responsible for Hirschsprung disease.
A member of the Institute of Medicine, Dr. Chakravarti chaired the third 5-year Human Genome Project plan from 1997 to 2000 as a member of the National Human Genome Research Institute’s advisory council. Dr. Chakravarti, who helped to design the 1000 Genomes Project population genetics sampling plan, played a crucial leadership role in the International HapMap Projects.
Since 1995, he has been co-Editor-in-Chief of the journal Genome Research and is a member of the editorial boards of Current Biology, Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics and the European Journal of Human Genetics.
The Allan Award also recognizes Dr. Chakravarti’s long-standing service to ASHG as a board member, president and mentor to many members of the society.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HUMAN GENETICS
Founded in 1948, the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) is the primary professional membership organization for human genetics specialists worldwide. The nearly 8,000 members of ASHG include researchers, academicians, clinicians, laboratory practice professionals, genetic counselors, nurses and others involved in or with a special interest in human genetics. The Societyʼs mission is to serve research scientists, health professionals and the public by providing forums to: (1) share research results through the Societyʼs Annual Meeting and in The American Journal of Human Genetics (AJHG); (2) advance genetic research by advocating for research support; (3) educate current and future genetics professionals, health care providers, advocates, policymakers, educators, students and the public about all aspects of human genetics; and (4) promote genetic services and support responsible social and scientific policies. For more information about ASHG, visit: http://www.ashg.org.