News

Erin K. O’Shea, PhD

Washington, DC – The Friends of the National Library of Medicine (FNLM) is honored to announce that Dr. Erin K. O’Shea, PhD, President of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Paul G. Rogers Award for Public Service. This prestigious award recognizes Dr. O’Shea’s leadership in fostering an inclusive, high-quality scientific culture and her commitment to advancing biomedical research through innovation, education, and public engagement.

Dr. O’Shea has been instrumental in creating an environment where researchers from all backgrounds and perspectives have opportunities to thrive and contribute to groundbreaking discoveries. Under her leadership as its first female president, HHMI has continued to invest in programs that push the boundaries of biomedical science while also ensuring that the scientific community reflects the wide range of personal histories and experiences present in society.

Dr. O’Shea’s career is marked by significant contributions to molecular biology, particularly in gene regulation and signal transduction. Beyond her scientific achievements, she has been an advocate for transforming research culture to support inclusivity and collaboration. Her work has had a lasting impact on both policy and practice in the scientific and medical communities.

“Dr. O’Shea’s leadership and advocacy have strengthened the foundation of biomedical research and public health,” said Dr. Barbara Redman, Chair of the Friends of the NLM. “Her dedication to fostering a more inclusive and dynamic scientific enterprise embodies the very spirit of the Paul G. Rogers Award.”

FNLM will formally present this honor to Dr. O’Shea at the 2025 Friends of the NLM Awards Gala, to be held on September 8, 2025, at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel in Washington, DC. The gala is a premier event bringing together leaders from the medical, library, and research communities to celebrate exceptional contributions to medical science, public service, and health information access.