World-renowned researcher Dr. Stephen T. Warren — the first to identify the long-sought genetic abnormality responsible for fragile X syndrome — will be honored by the March of Dimes.
Stephen T. Warren, PhD, the William Patterson Timmie Professor of Human Genetics and Charles Howard Candler chair of the Department of Human Genetics, as well as professor of biochemistry and pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine, will receive the March of Dimes/Colonel Harland Sanders Award for Lifetime Achievement in the field of genetic sciences.
Fragile X syndrome is an inherited genetic condition that is the result of an abnormality in the X chromosome, specifically the FMR1 gene. It is the leading cause of inherited intellectual disability. Fragile X can be passed on in a family by individuals who have no signs of this genetic condition. In 1991, Dr. Warren — initially funded by a March of Dimes Basil O’Connor Starter Scholar Award — and colleagues published their findings about fragile X syndrome, including the affected protein. Dr. Warren has successfully applied his research findings to clinical settings.
Dr. Warren received his doctorate in human genetics in 1981 from Michigan State University and in 1985 joined the faculty of Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Warren was elected to the Board of Directors of the American Society of Human Genetics in 1997 and elected its president in 2006. He was also editor-in-chief of The American Journal of Human Genetics from 1999 until 2005.
Dr. Warren has received many honors for his fragile X syndrome research, including:
- Albert E. Levy Faculty Award from Emory University
- MERIT award from the National Institutes of Health
- William Allan Award from the American Society of Human Genetics
- Elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science.
- Awarded the inaugural William Rosen Research Award from the National Fragile X Foundation
Established in 1986, the March of Dimes/Colonel Harland Sanders Award is given annually to an individual whose lifetime body of research and education has made a significant contribution to the genetic sciences.