Dr. Huda Zoghbi to Deliver Address at Rice University’s 112th Commencement Ceremony
Rice University has announced that Dr. Huda Zoghbi, a globally acclaimed neurogeneticist and pioneer in brain research, will serve as the keynote speaker at its 112th commencement ceremony, scheduled for May 10 at Rice Stadium. A scientist whose work has fundamentally changed the landscape of neuroscience, Dr. Zoghbi’s discoveries continue to inspire and impact lives across the world. Dr. Zoghbi is the founding director of the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, an investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and a distinguished service professor at Baylor College of Medicine. She is perhaps best known for uncovering the genetic underpinnings of Rett syndrome — a debilitating neurological disorder that predominantly affects young girls — and for her pioneering research into adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases such as spinocerebellar ataxia and Alzheimer’s disease. Her exceptional contributions to science have earned her numerous prestigious honors, including the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, the Kavli Prize in Neuroscience, and the Shaw Prize in Life Science and Medicine. She is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. A Rice trustee emerita, Dr. Zoghbi has long been a valued member of the Rice community, having served on various university boards and mentored countless emerging researchers and leaders. “Undoubtedly, Huda’s contributions to neuroscience serve as a powerful example of how scientific discovery can transform lives,” said Rice President Reginald DesRoches. “At this moment in history, when the world is increasingly shaped by advancements in research and technology, her insights could not be more timely or relevant. Our graduates — many of whom will go on to make an impact in research, medicine and innovation — will be inspired by her journey and her dedication to discovery.” Dr. Zoghbi’s own journey began in Lebanon, where she was born and raised. She completed her undergraduate studies in biology at the American University of Beirut before transferring to Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, as a result of the Lebanese Civil War. After completing a pediatric residency and later a residency in pediatric neurology at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, she pursued a postdoctoral fellowship in molecular genetics and joined Baylor’s faculty in 1988. In recognition of their groundbreaking achievements and commitment to advancing science and medicine, Dr. Huda Zoghbi and her husband, Dr. William Zoghbi, were jointly honored as Laureates of the TAKREEM AMERICA Scientific and Technological Achievement Award in 2022. Their shared legacy continues to inspire the Arab diaspora and global scientific community alike.
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