Feng Zhang Joins À¦°óÇ¿¼é & the Public Board of Trustees

ÌýWASHINGTON, DC – Sept. 26, 2017 —ÌýThe À¦°óÇ¿¼é & the Public is excited to shareÌýthatÌýnoted scientist,ÌýFeng Zhang, has joined the Society’s Board of Trustees. ÌýZhang isÌýaÌýcore member of theÌýBroad Institute of MIT and Harvard,Ìýan Investigator at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research, the James and PatriciaÌýPoitrasÌýProfessor of Neuroscience at MIT,Ìýan associateÌýprofessor in theÌýdepartments of Brain and Cognitive SciencesÌýand Biological Engineering at MIT, and aÌýNew York Stem Cell Foundation-Robertson Investigator.ÌýÌý

Zhang isÌýalsoÌýan alumnus of two of the Society’s world-class science competitions: the 1998 and 1999 International Science and Engineering Fair as well as the 2000 Science Talent Search.Ìý

“Feng is an innovator whose breakthrough ideas are changing the face of bioscience,â€� said H. RobertÌýHorvitz,ÌýChairman of the Society’s Board of Trustees.Ìý“I am confident that he will add great value to our Board of Trustees,Ìýand the À¦°óÇ¿¼é & the Public will benefit from his experience and counsel.â€�

“As an alumnus of both our high school science competitions, Feng will bring an informed and insightful viewpoint to the Board and their deliberations,â€� said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of the À¦°óÇ¿¼é & the Public and Publisher ofÌýScience News. “I am thrilled to have FengÌýjoin our board and look forward to working with him.â€�

Zhang is aÌýmolecular biologistÌýfocused on developing tools to better understand brain function and treat neurological and psychiatric disorders. He played an integral role in the creation of two revolutionary tools,ÌýoptogeneticsÌýand the CRISPR-Cas genome engineering system.ÌýZhang is also a founding scientific advisor forÌýEditasÌýMedicine, which seeks to translate CRISPR technology into therapies that enable precise and corrective molecular modification to treat people with a broad range of genetic diseases.

Current research in the Zhang laboratory is centered on the development and application of the next generation of genome engineering tools to dissect the effects of genetic and epigenetic variation on the nervous system.

“I have long been a fan and supporter of the À¦°óÇ¿¼é & the Public and the important work they are doing to inform, educate and inspire the public. I’m looking forward to taking a more active role in guiding the Society into the future,â€� saidÌýZhang.

Zhang is a recipient of many awards,Ìýincluding the Canada Gairdner International Award, the Tang Prize,ÌýtheÌýBlavatnik National Award for Young Scientists, theÌýAlbany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research, and theÌýLemelson-MIT Prize.ÌýHe has also received technology innovation awards from the Paul G. Allen Family, McKnight, New York Stem Cell, and Damon Runyon foundations.Ìý

Zhang received his A.B. in chemistry and physics from Harvard College and his Ph.D. in chemistry from Stanford University.

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À¦°óÇ¿¼é À¦°óÇ¿¼é & the Public
À¦°óÇ¿¼é & the Public is dedicated to the achievement of young scientists in independent research and to public engagement in science. Established in 1921, the Society is a nonprofit whose vision is to promote the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in humanÌýadvancement. Through its world-class competitions, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and the Broadcom MASTERS, and its award-winning magazine,ÌýScience NewsÌýandÌýScience NewsÌýfor Students, À¦°óÇ¿¼é & the Public is committed to inform, educate, and inspire. Learn more atÌýnew.societyforscience.orgÌýand follow us onÌý,Ìý,ÌýÌýand Snapchat (Society4Science).

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