FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Melissa Stek, media@aasforum.org
Washington, DC—The American Academy of Arts & Sciences (The Academy), one of the nation’s oldest learned societies, founded in 1780 by the nation’s Founding Fathers, recently announced AASF Board Member and Yale Stem Cell Biologist Dr. Haifan Lin as the recipient of its esteemed Francis Amory Prize in Reproductive Medicine and Physiology. The Academy works to advance the common good by honoring excellence and convening leaders from every field of human endeavor to examine new ideas, address issues of importance to the nation and the world, and work together “to cultivate every art and science which may tend to advance the interest, honor, dignity, and happiness of a free, independent, and virtuous people.” First awarded in 1940, the Amory Prize recognizes outstanding scientific achievements in reproductive biology and medical care. Dr. Lin receives the award for his essential contributions to the fields of reproductive biology, developmental biology, and stem cell biology.
“The Academy is pleased to honor [Dr. Lin’s] determined spirit, zest for discovery, and rigorous approach to research,” David Oxtoby, President of the American Academy, said in a press release announcing the award.
“Everyone at AASF is extremely proud of Dr. Lin for receiving this award, Said Dr. Yasheng Huang, AASF Founding President. “AASF represents some of the most prestigious Asian American scholars in the country, and Dr. Lin is no exception. Dr. Lin has made invaluable contributions to science that have remarkably advanced the field.”
“The American Academy of Arts & Sciences awards are prestigious and rare,” said Dr. Kai Li, AASF Founding Vice President. “Dr. Lin’s contributions to stem cell biology in particular, and his contributions to stem cell research are invaluable to our understanding of the Argonaute/Piwi protein family and examination of its function in stem cell maintenance and post-transcriptional regulation. For one of our very own to be esteemed with such a high honor is a testament to Dr. Lin’s contributions and successes.”
“Dr. Lin’s contributions to the fields of reproductive, developmental, and stem cell biology demonstrate the vastness of the value Asian American Scholars bring to our country,” said Gisela Perez Kusakawa, AASF Executive Director: “We are very proud of Dr. Lin for his contributions and impact, in addition to his outstanding public service as an AASF board member. Our AASF community will cheer him on as he accepts this prestigious honor.”
“I feel extremely honored by this prize because it represents a seal of approval of my work from this esteemed academy,” said Dr. Lin. “I also feel humbled by this prize because its past recipients are my inspiring role models. I want to thank my former and current lab members, whose dedication and many contributions are integral to my research. I’m grateful to my mentors, colleagues, friends, family, and Yale for their unwavering support.”
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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.