NIAMS Director Dr. Lindsey Criswell Elected to National Academy of Medicine

On October 21, 2024, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) announced that Lindsey A. Criswell, M.D., M.P.H., D.Sc., Director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), was elected as a member in recognition of her outstanding scientific achievements and commitment to volunteer service.?NAM elected 90 regular members and 10 international members during its annual meeting, including seven with an NIH affiliation.?

As a physician scientist, Dr. Criswell has led international teams to discover genetic (the study of genes) and epigenetic (how chemical compounds regulate the activity of genes) drivers of a broad range of systemic autoimmune diseases, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.?Using genome-wide association and other genetic studies, Dr. Criswell’s research teams have contributed to the identification of dozens of genes linked to these disorders.

Notably,?Dr. Criswell’s work has highlighted key biologic pathways responsible for disease onset and progression in lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sj?gren’s disease. In addition, her efforts have helped define the molecular basis for the heterogeneity in disease severity, outcome, and response to treatment of these disorders. Importantly, in characterizing genetic, epigenetic, and environmental contributions to the dramatic increases in risk and severity among ethnic minorities, her research efforts have broad implications for health disparities.?

“I am honored to be part of such an esteemed group of members of the Academy and to be recognized by my peers,” said Dr. Criswell.? “I credit my past and current collaborators as we continue our collective work to improve the lives of people with autoimmune diseases.”

Dr. Criswell, who is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology, has a long record of exceptional professional achievement, innovation, and service. Dr. Criswell became director of NIAMS in 2021 and previously served as vice chancellor of research at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where she was also professor of medicine (rheumatology) and professor of orofacial sciences.?

Dr. Criswell’s other honors include?election to the Association of American Physicians; the Kenneth H. Fye, M.D., endowed chair in rheumatology and the Jean S. Engleman distinguished professorship in rheumatology at UCSF; and the Henry Kunkel Young Investigator Award from the American College of Rheumatology. She has a long history of mentoring students, medical residents, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty, exemplifying one of her core values.?