E-Insight

April 2005

PVM Alum Elected to Institute of Medicine

Dr. James G. Fox, PVM Class of 1968, has been elected a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science. The Institute announced the names of 65 new members late last year, raising the Institute's total active membership to 1,416.

Dr. Fox is a Professor of Biological Engineering and Director of the Division of Comparative Medicine at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His current research in biological engineering examines the mechanisms by which chronic infection with environmentally acquired pathogens causes cancer in humans. The Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM) employs 145; Dr. Fox serves as director and as a principal investigator in research on cancer in animals. He also is principal investigator on a program at the DCM that trains veterinarians for careers in biomedical research.

The Institute of Medicine is unique for its structure as both an honorific membership organization and an advisory organization. Established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute has become recognized as a national resource for independent, scientifically informed analysis and recommendations on issues related to human health. With their election, members make a commitment to devote a significant amount of volunteer time as members of IOM committees, which engage in a broad range of studies on health policy issues.

Current active members elect new members from among candidates nominated for their professional achievement and commitment to service. An unusual diversity of talent is assured by the Institute's charter, which stipulates that at least one fourth of the membership be selected from outside the health professions, from such fields as the natural, social, and behavioral sciences, as well as law, administration, engineering and the humanities.