Academician James Edward Rothman has received the title of Doctor Honoris Causa from the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testemitanu”. The distinction was conferred during a ceremony organized in Chisinau, in recognition of his major contributions in the field of molecular biology and for the impact on the global health system, reports IPN.
The Rector of USMF, Emil Ceban, emphasized that James Edward Rothman, a renowned researcher of global stature and laureate of the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2013, has trained dozens of generations of specialists and played a crucial role in strengthening the scientific school in the field of cellular biology and molecular medicine.
Emil Ceban also mentioned that the granting of the title of Doctor Honoris Causa to Professor Rothman represents a gesture of deep gratitude and appreciation, which, at the same time, strengthens the international visibility of the university and the country as a whole.
The President of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Ion Tighineanu, stated that James Edward Rothman is one of the most respected personalities in modern biomedicine. His research has revolutionized the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms by which cells communicate with each other, a process essential for life.
According to the academician, Professor Rothman has Bessarabian roots and that, after more than a century, he is the first member of the family to return to his ancestors’ heritage. Ion Tighineanu also said that this moment has a profound symbolic significance, representing a meeting between science and history.
James Edward Rothman declared that he receives the awarded title with great honor. The academician recounted that, over the years, he had the privilege of studying, working, and learning alongside over 300 young researchers, most of whom have now become renowned scientists, heads of departments, and members of prestigious academies.
The speaker stated that the greatest discovery ever made by scientists is, and will remain, the scientific method. James Edward Rothman urged the participants at the event to apply this method in their research, in medical practice, and in everyday life, as an essential way to maintain objectivity and to rely on concrete evidence.
Academician James Edward Rothman, Emeritus Professor in Cellular Biology at Yale University and Professor in Physiology and Cellular Biophysics at Columbia University in the USA, has been recognized for his significant contribution to the development of medical sciences and the strengthening of scientific schools in cellular biology and molecular medicine. He has also trained dozens of generations of researchers and supported international academic collaborations, including with the Academy of Sciences of Moldova.
