Virginia M.-Y. Lee, PhD, an emeritus member of the AFTD Medical Advisory Council (MAC) and the current director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, was elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) on April 29.

Dr. Lee joins more than 2,600 other active NAS members, who are tasked with providing guidance and advice on scientific matters in the United States.

Dr. Lee Brings Extensive Dementia Expertise to NAS

Dr. Lee and the 150 others elected to the NAS were recognized for “distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.” Election to the NAS is one of the highest honors in American science. Dr. Lee brings a wealth of experience in FTD, ALS, and Alzheimer’s disease to the organization.

In the mid-2000s, Dr. Lee’s work led to the discovery of the link between abnormal TDP-43 accumulations in the brain and the development of both FTD and ALS. In 2019, for her discovery of the genetic origins of TDP-43, tau, and alpha-synuclein, and her explanation of their roles in neurodegenerative disease. In 2022, Dr. Lee received the title of Clarivate Citation Laureate, awarded to researchers who have published a study that went on to exceed 2,000 citations (most papers receive less than ten).

Along with her late husband, John Q. Trojanowski, PhD, MD, Dr. Lee was a founding member of AFTD’s MAC. She provided crucial medical and scientific guidance to support AFTD’s mission during the organization’s formative years.

Since Dr. Lee’s time on the MAC, the Council has grown to 29 members, including scientists from overseas. To learn more about the current and former members of the MAC, visit the Council’s page on AFTD’s website.

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