by Kelsey Herbers
The American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) has appointed Matthew Wilson, MD, PhD, associate professor of Medicine in Vanderbilt’s Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, to its board of directors. Beginning in May 2019, Wilson will serve a three-year term as an at-large director.
Wilson has been an active member of the ASGCT since 2004, when he joined the society as a postdoctoral fellow. He currently serves on the Physical Delivery Therapeutics and Vector Development and Genome Editing committees, chairing the former from 2018 to 2020.
In his new role, Wilson hopes to help publicize the benefits of cell and gene therapy to increase support for research and engage more young investigators.
“ASGCT has been a great organization in helping me advance my career and has served as the scientific meeting home for all stages of my career in my research. I’m happy to serve and give back in this role,” said Wilson.
Currently focused on developing cell and gene therapy approaches for kidney disease, which has a high rate of morbidity and mortality, Wilson’s lab is working to extend gene therapy to understudied organs.
“As a physician-scientist, my research is driven by patients,” said Wilson. “I still see patients in clinic and in the hospital, and they inspire me to advance cell and gene therapy applications. New approaches and technologies need to be developed.”
