Dean Sheppard, Charles Craik Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

UC San Francisco biochemist Charles Craik, PhD, and pulmonologist Dean Sheppard, MD, have been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Craik is professor of pharmaceutical chemistry at the School of Pharmacy and director of the Quantitative Biosciences Consortium. Sheppard, professor of medicine, is the founding director of the UCSF Lung Biology Center and chief of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine.

They are among the 228 new members elected to the 2017 class, which includes some of the world’s most accomplished scholars, scientists, writers, artists, as well as civic, business and philanthropic leaders. Among this year’s class are the singer-songwriter John Legend; actress Carol Burnett; immunologist James P. Allison, PhD; and writer Chimimanda Ngozi Adichie.

Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences is one of the country’s oldest learned societies and independent policy research centers, convening leaders from academic, business, and government sectors to respond to the challenges facing the nation and the world.

Craik’s research focuses on the ubiquitous enzymes known as proteases that are involved in nearly every biological function and their inhibitors. Using a combination of genetic, biochemical and biophysical methods, his lab is identifying and regulating the activity of proteases associated with infectious diseases, cancer and development, leading to new strategies for therapeutic intervention. Craik has been on the UCSF faculty since 1985.

Sheppard’s clinical and basic science research seek to illuminate the molecular mechanisms underlying common lung diseases and to develop targeted therapies for pulmonary fibrosis, acute lung injury and asthma. He is a leader in the study of integrins, proteins that help cells communicate with the extracellular matrix, and has identified important roles for integrins in common lung diseases. Sheppard joined the UCSF faculty in 1980.

“It is an honor to welcome this new class of exceptional women and men as part of our distinguished membership,” said Don Randel, chair of the Academy’s board of directors. “Their talents and expertise will enrich the life of the Academy and strengthen our capacity to spread knowledge and understanding in service to the nation.”

The new class will be inducted at a ceremony on Oct. 7 in Cambridge, Mass.

A complete list of new members, as well as the Academy’s press release, can be found on the Academy’s website.

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