Institute of Medicine Elects Dr. Maria Freire to Membership
New York City Maria C. Freire, Ph.D., President of the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation, has been elected to the prestigious Institute of Medicine.
Dr. Freire is highly regarded for her leadership in the field of global public health, and for her significant contributions to drug development for neglected diseases, public health policy, technology transfer and intellectual property as they relate to medicine and basic science.
“I am honored to join the distinguished membership of the Institute of Medicine,” said Dr. Freire. “I look forward to contributing to the Institute’s work, especially with respect to the growing challenges of global public health, science education and biomedical research support.”
“Election to the Institute of Medicine is a tribute to the significant professional accomplishments and leadership of Dr. Freire,” said Dr. Alfred Sommer, Chairman of the Lasker Foundation and a long time member of the IOM. “The Lasker Foundation is privileged to benefit from her experience and vision at this important time, and we congratulate her and the Institute on this announcement. She will bring her outstanding talents to the important deliberations of the Institute.”
The Institute of Medicine is the nation’s primary resource for independent, scientifically informed analysis and recommendations on human health issues. Established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute’s members actively participate in a broad range of studies on health policy issues for presentation to the U.S. Congress, the Executive Branch, and other institutions. Members are elected through a highly selective process that recognizes people who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care, and public health.
Prior to joining the Lasker Foundation as its President in 2008, Dr. Freire was the President and CEO of the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development, successfully spearheading a pioneering effort to expand and accelerate the development of new drugs with which to more effectively treat tuberculosis, an urgent global health priority. Dr. Freire previously led the Office of Technology Transfer at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and serves on numerous committees concerned with domestic and global issues of public health.
The Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation fosters the prevention and treatment of disease and disabilities by honoring excellence in basic and clinical science, educating the public, and advocating for support of medical research. It annually presents the prestigious Lasker Awards.