The Lurie Autism Institute announced on March 12 that Dr. Huda Y. Zoghbi has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Nancy Lurie Marks Prize for Autism Research, which is the institute’s highest honor for transformative contributions to autism research.
The award highlights significant progress in understanding and treating autism spectrum disorder, recognizing individuals whose work has had a lasting impact on the field.
Dr. Zoghbi is a Distinguished Service Professor at Baylor College of Medicine and Director of Texas Children’s Duncan Neurological Research Institute. She is known for her pioneering work integrating human genetics, animal models, and neuroscience to understand how gene regulation and neuronal function contribute to neurological diseases, including autism spectrum disorder.
“When thinking of an appropriate inaugural recipient of the Nancy Lurie Marks Prize for Autism Research, we wanted to consider the pre-eminent minds whose long history of incredible work in autism research continues to have a lasting effect,” said Frances E. Jensen, MD, Chair of the Department of Neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and co-director of the Penn Translational Neuroscience Center. “Dr. Zoghbi’s record speaks for itself, and we couldn’t think of a more deserving inaugural recipient who exemplifies the pioneering work in autism research that the Lurie Autism Institute wants to make possible.”
The selection committee recognized Dr. Zoghbi’s discovery that mutations in the MECP2 gene cause Rett syndrome, an autism-related neurodevelopmental disorder. This finding transformed Rett syndrome into a model for understanding autism genetics and influenced large-scale genomic studies in autism research.
“I am deeply honored to receive the inaugural Nancy Lurie Marks Prize for Autism Research,” said Dr. Zoghbi. “Nancy’s dedication to autism research and to the families she so passionately championed has left an indelible mark on our field. The Lurie Autism Institute’s continued commitment to advancing impactful autism research benefits us all. I share this recognition with the patients and families who inspire our work every day, and with the remarkable trainees and collaborators whose insight, creativity, and dedication have advanced our understanding of how genetic disruptions alter brain function.” She added: “I hope that continued progress in this field will lead to better insights and treatments, ultimately improving the lives of individuals with autism and their families. This honor serves as a powerful reminder of the promise rigorous science holds for truly transforming lives.”
Daniel Rader, MD, Interim Director at Lurie Autism Institute said: “Dr. Zoghbi’s incredible discoveries of some key biological mechanisms underlying autism are important steps in the journey we’re on with the Lurie Autism Institute to provide patients with more answers.” He added: “Her central role in advancing our understanding of neurobiology and translating that basic science into clinical progress makes her an extremely deserving recipient.”
The prize honors Nancy Lurie Marks’ legacy in supporting advances in autism research through philanthropy. It includes a $100,000 award given to one individual whose work has made a profound impact on autism science.
Jeffrey Lurie, Chairman and CEO of the Philadelphia Eagles and founder of Eagles Autism Foundation said: “The Lurie Autism Institute was established to usher in a new era of scientific discovery in autism, and the work of extraordinary talents like Dr. Zoghbi exemplifies the kind of breakthrough discoveries we hope to make possible.”
Dr. Zoghbi will be formally honored at a symposium hosted by The Lurie Autism Institute on May 7 in Philadelphia where she will deliver a featured lecture.
