Dr. Margaret Goodell, known for her work in stem cell research, has joined the ranks of the National Academy of Sciences, recognizing her fruitful career and endeavors in science.
Reflecting on her recent honor, Goodell expressed her gratitude: “I feel so very fortunate. It is a huge honor to be recognized this way. My scientific achievements have been made possible by the exceptional environment here at BCM, including wonderful trainees, colleagues and leaders, all of whom I am very grateful to." Goodell is currently a professor and the chair of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and holds a prestigious position at Baylor College of Medicine.
She also leads as director of the Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center and contributes as an associate director at the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center. Goodell becomes one of 120 new members of the Academy, including 30 from various international disciplines.
Dr. Paul Klotman, president and CEO of Baylor, celebrated this achievement: “Peggy Goodell is a great leader, wonderful mentor and a top scientist in the field of stem cell research. The National Academy of Science membership is a tribute to her work in advancing an important field and having a significant impact on training the scientists of the future.”
Adding to the commendations, Dr. Carolyn Smith, dean of research at Baylor, noted, “Fabulous! This is a terrific and well-deserved honor for Dr. Goodell. She is an excellent, talented leader.”
Goodell's academic journey began at Imperial College in the UK, pursuing her Bachelor of Sciences degree, followed by a Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge. Her postdoctoral work took place at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and Harvard Medical School before she began her long tenure at Baylor College of Medicine in 1997.
Her research has substantially impacted regenerative medicine, leukemia research, and understanding of aging processes. Her lab focuses on hematopoietic stem cells, crucial for blood formation and regeneration. Her contributions include developing a method to isolate these stem cells from adult animals, facilitating in-depth studies of their regulation.
Goodell is the sixth faculty member from Baylor College of Medicine to join the National Academy, joining other distinguished scholars like Dr. Hugo Bellen and Dr. Mary Estes, among others.
Established in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln, the National Academy of Sciences is a private, non-profit body that elects scientists for their outstanding research contributions, bestowing a lifetime honor.
Goodell was recently acknowledged by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a forum for eminent scholars and innovators to engage with societal challenges through independent policy research.
