Introduction to the National Academy of Medicine
The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) is a prestigious organization that recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the fields of health and medicine. On October 20, the NAM announced the election of 100 new members, including two MIT faculty members, Dina Katabi and Facundo Batista, as well as three additional MIT alumni.
Who are the New Members?
The two MIT faculty members elected to the NAM are Facundo Batista and Dina Katabi.
Facundo Batista
Facundo Batista is the associate director and scientific director of the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard. He is also the first Phillip T. and Susan M. Ragon Professor in the MIT Department of Biology. Batista was recognized for his work on unraveling the biology of antibody-producing B cells to better understand how our body’s immune system responds to infectious diseases. His research has advanced preclinical vaccine and therapeutic development for globally important diseases, including HIV, malaria, and influenza.
Dina Katabi
Dina Katabi is the Thuan (1990) and Nicole Pham Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT. Her research spans digital health, wireless sensing, mobile computing, machine learning, and computer vision. Katabi was recognized for pioneering digital health technology that enables non-invasive, off-body remote health monitoring via AI and wireless signals. She has developed digital biomarkers for Parkinson’s progression and detection, advancing objective, sensitive measures of disease trajectory and treatment response in clinical trials.
Additional MIT Alumni Elected to the NAM
In addition to Batista and Katabi, three other MIT alumni were elected to the NAM:
- Christopher S. Chen SM ’93, PhD ’97, an alumnus of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology
- Michael E. Matheny SM ’06, an alumnus of the Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology
- Rebecca R. Richards-Kortum SM ’87, PhD ’90, an alumna of the Department of Physics and the Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology
About the National Academy of Medicine
The National Academy of Medicine was established in 1970 as the Institute of Medicine by the National Academy of Sciences. The organization addresses critical issues in health, science, medicine, and related policy, and inspires positive actions across sectors. The NAM President, Victor J. Dzau, welcomed the new members, stating that their demonstrated excellence in tackling public health challenges will critically strengthen the collective ability to tackle the most pressing health challenges of our time.
Conclusion
The election of these individuals to the National Academy of Medicine is a significant recognition of their contributions to the fields of health and medicine. Their work has the potential to make a significant impact on our understanding and treatment of various diseases, and their election to the NAM is a testament to their dedication and expertise.
FAQs
- What is the National Academy of Medicine?
The National Academy of Medicine is a prestigious organization that recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the fields of health and medicine. - Who were the MIT faculty members elected to the NAM?
The two MIT faculty members elected to the NAM are Facundo Batista and Dina Katabi. - What is the significance of being elected to the NAM?
Being elected to the NAM is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine, recognizing individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service. - How many new members were elected to the NAM in 2025?
100 new members were elected to the NAM in 2025, including two MIT faculty members and three additional MIT alumni.
