This just in: Eric Gouaux, PhD, elected to the National Academy of Sciences

Eric Gouaux has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences

OHSU has just received important news from the National Academy of Sciences: among the list of new NAS members is J. Eric Gouaux, PhD, senior scientist at the Vollum Institute. Dr. Gouaux is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator and a pioneer in the structural biology of membrane proteins, studying the molecular mechanisms of communication between nerve cells. His discoveries in neurotransmission have established him as one of the top investigators in his field, and his research has important implications for understanding the mechanisms of drugs used for the treatment of psychiatric and neurological diseases.

The National Academy of Sciences is a private organization of scientists and engineers dedicated to the furtherance of science and its use for the general welfare. It was established in 1863 by a congressional act of incorporation signed by Abraham Lincoln that calls on the Academy to act as an official adviser to the federal government, upon request, in any matter of science or technology.

Being elected to the NAS is one of the highest honors in science. As part of the NAS, members act as scientific advisers to the government. They are considered the nation’s top experts, all of whom volunteer their time to study specific concerns. The results of their deliberations have inspired some of America’s most significant and lasting efforts to improve the health, education, and welfare of the population.