Tamas L. Horvath, the Jean and David W. Wallace Professor of Comparative Medicine, is the recipient of the American Diabetes Association’s 2016 Outstanding Scientific Achievement Award.
The award recognizes research in diabetes that “demonstrates particular independence of thought and originality.” Horvath will be recognized with the honor during the association’s 76th Scientific Sessions®, to be held June 10-14 in New Orleans. He will deliver a lecture titled “Hunger-promoting Hypothalmic Neurons Control Systemic Metabolism and Drive Complex Behaviors and Longevity” on June 13.
Horvath also holds appointments as professor of neuroscience and of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences. His work has significantly impacted the understanding of metabolic regulation at the interface between peripheral tissues and the brain.
The Yale professor has authored more than 250 publications, including seminal discoveries establishing the anatomical principles of the melanocortin system, demonstrating a unidirectional relationship between neuropeptide Y and pro-opiomelanocortin neurons that regulates feeding, whole body metabolism and glucose homeostasis. In addition, he unmasked that synaptic plasticity of adult brain circuits is essential to the brain’s ability to respond to changing peripheral metabolic milieu. His recent work uncovered a fundamental role for mitochondrial dynamics in central control of metabolism. His efforts also have been instrumental in defining how maternal diet and insulin action in the brain affect transgenerational metabolic health.
The American Diabetes Association’s Scientific Sessions is the world’s largest scientific meeting focused on diabetes.