In September 2021, Kelsey Martin took on the role of Executive Vice President of Autism and Neuroscience at the Simons Foundation. She leads the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) and collaborations in neuroscience. This distinguished scientist has now been elected to the 2024 class of new members by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), a private nonprofit organization that elects scientists based on peer recognition.
The NAS was established in 1863 under a congressional charter and works alongside the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Medicine to provide science, engineering, and health policy advice to the federal government and other organizations. During her tenure as dean at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Martin established innovative programs in precision health and computational medicine while leading interdisciplinary research initiatives that bridged basic and clinical research.
Martin’s research focuses on the cellular and molecular biology of long-term synaptic plasticity and memory, with a particular emphasis on the regulation of gene expression in neurons in response to experience. Her lab has made significant discoveries related to signaling molecules involved in synaptic transmission and translation mechanisms impacting synapse formation and plasticity. This prestigious honor recognizes Martin’s distinguished contributions to original research, alongside 120 national and 24 international members being honored this year by the NAS.