School of Medicine Professor Awarded Institut de France Grand Prize in Science
Christopher Glass recognized for research on the development and function of macrophages
Professor Margaret Buckingham, chair of the Lefoulon-Delalande Foundation Scientific Council (left), presented the Grand Prize to Kathryn Moore, Ph.D. and Christopher Glass, M.D., Ph.D., at a ceremony in Paris, France.
Christopher Glass, M.D., Ph.D., professor of cellular and molecular medicine at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, has been awarded the Grand Prix Scientifique 2024 of the Lefoulon-Delalande Foundation.
The grand prize is awarded each year to those who have made significant contributions to the fields of cardiovascular physiology, biology or medicine. This year, Glass shared the award with Kathryn J. Moore, Ph.D., the Jean and David Blechman Professor of Cardiology in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. The award was presented on June 19 in Paris, France.
The award recognizes a series of papers from the Glass laboratory which helped advance the understanding of the roles of macrophages in the development of atherosclerosis (the plaque that can cause arteries to narrow) and how these cells might be targeted for therapeutic purposes. Macrophages are key cells of the immune system that normally play essential roles in our body’s responses to infection and injury. Glass explained that during aging, however these cells are affected by a variety of dietary, environmental and genetic factors to promote the development of numerous chronic diseases that include diabetes, atherosclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease. The lab’s work has uncovered some of the mechanisms that underlie these pathogenic functions and pointed to new therapeutic strategies that they continue to work on.
“It was very exciting to learn that I had been selected for this award for several reasons, not the least being the cultural significance of the Institut de France and the outstanding scientists who have been previous recipients,” said Glass. “The award also pays tribute to the contributions of the members of my laboratory who were directly responsible for the discoveries that are being recognized.”
Glass earned a bachelor’s degree in biophysics from UC Berkeley, as well as a dual doctorate in medicine and science (M.D./Ph.D.) through the UC San Diego Medical Scientist Training Program. After an internship in internal medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital of Harvard Medical School, he continued his training in endocrinology and metabolism at UC San Diego where he participated in the creation of the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine.
The awards ceremony was held in the Institut de France, which is an architectural and cultural landmark in Paris situated across the Seine River from the Louvre Museum. For the ceremony, members of the institute are attired in historical jackets and pants. The ceremony began with a drum roll by a military honor guard, during which the members of the institute, awardees and guests entered the central rotunda of the Institute. Photos courtesy of Institut de France.
— Joyce Pritchett
Communications Specialist, UC San Diego School of Medicine