Dr. James C. Lo, an associate professor of medicine and Dr. Lisa G. Roth, an associate professor of pediatrics, both from Weill Cornell Medicine, were elected members of the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) for 2023.
Election into the ASCI, which represents excellence across the breadth of academic medicine, is a milestone for physician-scientists. The nonprofit medical honor society, which is comprised of more than 3,000 physician-scientists from all medical specialties, recognizes and supports the scientific efforts, educational needs and clinical aspirations of physician-scientists to improve the health of all people.
Dr. Lisa Roth
“It is a tremendous honor to be included in this group of the most established and successful physician-researchers,” said Dr. Roth, who is also director of pediatric oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine. “It puts me and my research team on the map. It signifies that we’re conducting the highest level of science and seeking to advance medicine.”
Dr. Roth’s clinical research focuses on lymphomas, cancers of the immune system, in children and young adults. “We are interested in studying the molecular biology of lymphomas and using that information to tailor novel therapies,” she said, “with our goal of creating therapeutic approaches that may move us away from conventional chemotherapy to a more targeted approach to treating these tumors.”
Dr. James Lo
Dr. Lo’s clinical research encompasses the intersection between cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, including heart attack, heart rhythm disorders and diabetes.
“I often see patients with all three diseases,” said Dr. Lo, who is also a member of the Weill Center for Metabolic Health and the Cardiovascular Research Institute at Weill Cornell Medicine. “From a research standpoint, I want to understand how these disease conditions interact with each other and develop better treatments for patients with cardio-metabolic conditions.”
Membership in the ASCI will provide Drs. Lo and Roth opportunities to network with other physician-scientists who are conducting outstanding research in other medical specialties. “Being recognized by the ASCI for what we do on a daily basis and meeting other physician-scientists who are conducting research at a high level is inspiring and invigorating,” Dr. Lo said.
Progress is a group effort. Sharing information with fellow physician-scientists who may be using different techniques or lab protocols can spark ideas to advance science and the practice of medicine. “Membership into the ASCI,” Dr. Roth said, “will have a tremendous impact on the work I’m able to do and the pace at which we’re able to accelerate our findings and develop new treatments.”