IU's Li selected to head NIH institute on alcohol abuse

By Joe Stuteville

Thompson

"It gives me great pleasure that one of our nation's preeminent scientists in the alcohol research field will be taking the helm to lead our federal alcohol research efforts," said Tommy Thompson, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "There's much to be done to protect all Americans from the tragedy of alcohol abuse and alcoholism." Dr. Li, internationally known for his research into the genetic determinants of alcohol use and alcoholism, is expected to take over his new duties in mid-November. He has produced groundbreaking research in many areas, including alcohol metabolism and animal models of alcoholism.

Since 1987, Li has served as director of the IU Alcohol Research Center, which was established with a grant from the NIAAA, the major federal agency supporting research into the etiology, treatment and prevention of alcoholism.

"Li's contributions to the School of Medicine are legion and are of inestimable value," said Dr. D. Craig Brater, dean of IUSM. "He has served as a mentor, leader and visionary for the school; we would not be realizing the success of today without his contributions. He undoubtedly will have the same impact at the NIAAA so that his contributions and accomplishments will also include shaping the future of the field to which he has devoted his career."

The IU researcher replaces Dr. Raynard Kingston, who has served as NIAAA's acting director since the retirement of Dr. Enoch Gordis in January.

Li joined IUSM in 1971 and also is adjunct professor at the IU School of Nursing. He received his medical degree from Harvard in 1959 and later completed his residency at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston, Mass. In his 31-year career at IU, Li has gained many accolades for his research. He has written more than 400 journal articles and book chapters. In 1999, he was elected to membership in the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, a prestigious organization that recognizes outstanding professional achievement and demonstrated concern with critical public health issues. Li's other research accomplishments include the Jellinek Award, the James B. Isaacson Award for Research in Chemical Dependency Disease and the R. Brinkley Smithers Distinguished Science Award. Li, editor of the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, also is an honorary fellow of the United Kingdom's Society for the Study of Addiction.

"I am honored to come to the NIAAA at this exciting time," said Li. "Great progress has been made over the last two decades in our scientific knowledge base of genetics, neurobiology, and the behavioral and other aspects of alcohol abuse and alcoholism. I am confident that by diligently expanding the boundaries of our knowledge, we will continue to improve ways of preventing and treating these important public health problems."

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