快猫成版视频

KENNESAW, Ga. | May 19, 2025

快猫成版视频 alumnus Ali Shilatifard 鈥�89 has been elected to the of the United States, an internationally renowned association of scientists conducting cutting-edge research that advances society.

One of 120 American inductees for 2025, along with 30 international honorees, Shilatifard is the first KSU graduate to receive the recognition. Now the Robert Francis Furchgott Professor and chair of biochemistry and molecular genetics at Northwestern University鈥檚 Feinberg School of Medicine, Shilatifard earned his Bachelor of Science in Organic Chemistry from KSU.

鈥溈烀ǔ砂媸悠� State opened the door for me to pursue an organic chemistry degree when other doors were shut,鈥� Shilatifard said. 鈥淣ot only did KSU open the door for me, but my professors, like Dr. Frank Walker and Dr. Linda Hodges, demonstrated a genuine interest and commitment to teaching their subjects, which kept me engaged and excited about the career I was pursuing.鈥�

Heather Koopman, the dean of the College of Science and Mathematics (CSM), said Shilatifard鈥檚 legacy serves as motivation for KSU students to see what鈥檚 possible in the sciences.

鈥淥n behalf of the College of Science and Mathematics, I am sending warm wishes of congratulations to Dr. Shilatifard for this achievement, and for all that he has accomplished,鈥� Koopman said. 鈥淐SM is proud to have played a role in his incredible success, and for being part of the early steps of his academic journey. He is an excellent role model for our current and future students.鈥�

Shilatifard鈥檚 research focuses on the causes of childhood leukemia through chromosomal translocations. His has also discovered novel mechanisms underlying transcription elongation, the process of synthesizing RNA from DNA. Studies from Shilatifard鈥檚 lab linking epigenetic factors and transcription elongation control to malignancies have provided new therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment with drugs in clinical trials based on his studies.

Shilatifard overcame homelessness to succeed at KSU, then earned his doctorate from the University of Georgia and Oklahoma in 1994. He has served as a senior editor for the journal Science and the founding Editor for Science Advances. In 2023, he returned to KSU鈥檚 campus to deliver a lecture on epigenetics, the first time he had returned since his undergraduate days.

Also in 2023, he received a Distinguished Alumni Award from CSM and was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation鈥檚 oldest and most prestigious honorary societies. He is also the leader of the Cancer Epigenetics and Nuclear Dynamics Program at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.

The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit institution that was established under a congressional charter signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. It recognizes achievement in science by election to membership, and, with the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Medicine, provides science, engineering and health policy advice to the federal government and other organizations. With this year鈥檚 inductees, the Academy now has 2,662 active members and 556 international members.

鈥� Story by Dave Shelles

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 快猫成版视频 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. 快猫成版视频 State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. 快猫成版视频 State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.