COLLEGE STATION, Texas–The Department of Entomology would like to congratulate Dr. Zach Adelman for being named a Texas A&M University Presidential Impact Fellow.
Adelman was among a total of 21 faculty members from the University’s 16 colleges, two branch campuses, and its libraries, who were honored during a special ceremony in the Bethancourt Ballroom at the Memorial Student Center on October 25.
Following earlier work on the generation of mosquitoes resistant to viral pathogens, Adelman’s research has more recently focused on the development of novel gene editing/gene replacement approaches for disease vector mosquitoes, as well as understanding genetic interactions between arthropod-borne viruses and their mosquito vectors.
Adelman’s work has been featured in such journals as Science and PNAS and Science, and has co-authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and is regularly contacted by members of the media on topics relating to gene editing. He has also recorded webinars on gene drive for such organizations as the National Academy of Sciences, the American Institute of Biological Science, and the Scientist Magazine.
Adelman’s research program has been funded by the National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Disease at the National Institutes of Health since 2007, with additional support from the State of Texas, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
“It is a great honor to be selected as a Presidential Impact Fellow. I had been thinking for a long time how to develop some new platforms for communicating critical concepts in genetics that underlie many current issues affecting Texans and the world at large, such as personalized medicine and the biology of cancer, genetically-modified foods, and gene drive,” Adelman said. “The mentorship and support I will have access to through the PIF will be instrumental in making these new platforms a reality. I am very grateful to my Department and College leadership and especially President Young for their faith in my future, and I will do my best to exceed their expectations.”
Each recipient receives an annual cash stipend for the next three fiscal years to help support their research, teaching, and service efforts. The honorarium helps foster opportunities to collaborate with other leading scholars and create new partnerships and confers the lifetime title of Presidential Impact Fellow.
“Texas A&M University is proud to invest in our amazing faculty who continue to make significant impacts through teaching, research and service efforts,” Texas A&M University President Michael K. Young said. “These rising stars are meeting the challenges in their field and demonstrating what influence they have toward creating a better world.”