Estes named to Institute of Medicine

HOUSTON -- (October 24, 2005) -- Dr. Mary Estes, professor of molecular virology and microbiology and medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, has been elected to membership in the Institute of Medicine.

One of 64 American and five foreign scientists named to the prestigious institute today and the only BCM faculty member, Estes is a leader in the field of virology and has produced ground-breaking work in the understanding and prevention of gastrointestinal viruses such as Norwalk and rotavirus. Using the tools of molecular biology, she has performed work leading to new understanding of the basic biology of such viruses, including how they are controlled, how they interact with the organisms that host them, and how they create disease.

Her work with rotaviruses extends beyond the level of bench science as she and colleagues develop oral vaccines to protect against infection with rotavirus and similar pathogens. She is also considered an expert on the Norwalk virus, known for creating virulent outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease in enclosed populations such as cruise ships and nursing homes. She has been instrumental in research that has led to a new understanding of the natural history and spread of these viruses.

"Mary is an internationally-recognized scientist and educator who is one of our outstanding faculty leaders at Baylor. She is richly deserving of this recognition," said Dr. Janet Butel, chair of the department of molecular virology and microbiology at BCM.

"Dr. Estes' election to the Institute of Medicine is recognition of the quality of work she has done in her field and its contribution to improving the health of people around the world," said Dr. Peter G. Traber, president and CEO of BCM. "She is not only a top-notch researcher, but a talented educator whose work has extended her field by producing new scientists who will carry on her work."

Recently, Estes took on a new task as co-director of a graduate program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine. Working with fellow co-director Dr. David Huston, she seeks to train new scientists to work on the cusp between very basic science in the laboratory and the application of new findings directly to patients.

Estes received her doctorate from the University of North Carolina and did her postdoctoral work at Baylor College of Medicine.

Twelve other current BCM faculty members are IOM members.