Asian American Scholar Forum Congratulates Dr. Xihong Lin’s Election to National Academy of Sciences

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 22, 2023

Media Contact: Mary Tablante, Asian American Scholar Forum, media@aasforum.org

Washington, D.C.— The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) announced the election of AASF board member Dr. Xihong Lin in recognition of her distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Dr. Lin was among 120 members and 23 international members elected this May.

NAS is a private, non-profit society founded in 1863, tasked with providing independent advice on science and technology. It comprises distinguished scholars elected by their peers for outstanding research contributions. The NAS is dedicated to advancing science in America and has active members in the international scientific community. Over 500 NAS members, past and present, have received Nobel Prizes, while its journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is renowned for publishing original research.

Dr. Xihong Lin is a professor and former chair of the Department of Biostatistics, coordinating director of the program in quantitative genomics at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, and professor of the Department of Statistics at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences of Harvard University, and associate member of the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT.  She is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine.  Her research is focused on the development and application of scalable statistical and machine learning methods for the analysis of massive data from the genome, exposome, and phenome, including big and complex genetic and genomic, epidemiological, and health data.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to have been elected to the NAS, and I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Academy and its members for this incredible recognition. I would also like to thank the many colleagues who have generously supported me over the years, as well as my students and postdocs and collaborators whose talent and creativity have been a constant source of inspiration,” said Dr. Xihong Lin. “The news of this election is especially uplifting as it coincides with the beginning of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. I look forward to the opportunity to continue contributing to science, health, and our community, and to help create a brighter tomorrow for all.”  

“AASF applauds Dr. Xihong Lin on this well-deserved honor,” said Gisela Perez Kusakawa, AASF Executive Director. “It has been my personal privilege to work with Dr. Lin and see her brilliance at play from her service to AASF as the Co-Chair of our Data and Research Committee to her leadership as an inaugural AASF board member. Her dedication to the public good and remarkable achievements during her career is an inspiration to women and Asian Americans across the country. We are grateful to have her as an integral part of the AASF community and witness her passion each and every day.”

“We at AASF feel extremely proud for her election to NAS,” said Dr. Yasheng Huang, AASF President. “Dr. Lin has been a trailblazer, and she was at the forefront of COVID-19 research as she was able to educate the public during the early days on the pandemic. She is a thoughtful leader and we always draw from her wisdom and advice for our work at AASF.” 

“Being an NAS member is one of the highest honors as a scientist.   Professor Lin’s election to NAS is a testament to her exceptional contributions to science and her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on society,” said Dr. Kai Li, AASF Vice President. “She is a great role model for all scientists, especially women, immigrants and other underrepresented groups.  Professor Lin is a founding board member of AASF.  It has been my honor to work with her helping the Asian American community.”  

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Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) is a national non-profit that promotes academic belonging, openness, freedom, and equality for all. In response to heightened anti-Asian sentiments and profiling in the U.S., AASF has been a leading national voice fighting for the rights of Asian American and immigrant scientists, researchers, and scholars. AASF membership includes members from the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Science and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, in addition to past and current university presidents, provost, vice provosts, deans, associate deans and past and current department chairs.

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