The Lurie Autism Institute announced on Mar. 12 that Huda Y. Zoghbi, MD, has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Nancy Lurie Marks Prize for Autism Research. The award is the highest honor given by the institute, which is a joint initiative between Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine.
The prize recognizes transformative contributions to autism research. Zoghbi is known for her work in understanding the genetic and molecular basis of neurological diseases, including autism spectrum disorder. She serves as Distinguished Service Professor at Baylor College of Medicine and Director of Texas Children’s Duncan Neurological Research Institute, as well as an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Zoghbi's research integrates human genetics, animal models, and systems-level neuroscience to explore how disruptions in gene regulation and neuronal function contribute to disease. Her work has helped define how these factors drive conditions such as autism.
Frances E. Jensen, MD, chair of the Department of Neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and co-director of the Penn Translational Neuroscience Center, said: “When thinking of an appropriate inaugural recipient of the Nancy Lurie Marks Prize for Autism Research, we wanted to consider the pre-eminent minds whose long history of incredible work in autism research continues to have a lasting effect. Dr. Zoghbi’s record speaks for itself, and we couldn’t think of a more deserving inaugural recipient who exemplifies the pioneering work in autism research that the Lurie Autism Institute wants to make possible.”
The announcement highlights ongoing efforts by leading institutions to advance understanding and treatment options for individuals with autism.
