UW-Madison professor of Comparative Biosciences Albee Messing was named the new director of the Waisman Center April 14, according to a university release.
The Waisman Center, run under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education, is devoted to research, medical care and outreach for various developmental and neurodegenerative diseases.
Messing started his role as the interim director in May 2014 before taking on the permanent role. He will report to the Dean of School of Medicine and Public Health Robert Golden, according to the release.
"Dr. Messing is an internationally renowned scientist who has developed an innovative scientific program while serving in a series of leadership roles in the Waisman Center,” Golden said in the release.
Messing will continue research on the neurological disorder Alexander disease as director, which he and his colleagues found the genetic background for in 2001.
"I'm excited and honored to lead the many Waisman Center faculty, scientists and staff who carry out the important work of understanding and treating some of human health's most challenging conditions," Messing said in the release. "These efforts inspire hope for those affected by these conditions and advance the science and knowledge of human development."
