David Matthew Altshuler

Dr. David Matthew Altshuler is a leading figure in characterizing human DNA sequence variation and the genetic basis of common human diseases, with a particular focus on how this information can inform the development of new therapeutics. In 2015, he became the Executive Vice President of Global Research and Chief Scientific Officer for Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He was formerly Deputy Director & Chief Academic Officer at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, as well as the Institute's Director of the Program in Medical & Population Genetics; Professor of Genetics & Medicine, Harvard Medical School; and Adjunct Professor of Biology, MIT. Dr. Altshuler is a leading figure in characterizing human DNA sequence variation, and developing new methods to systematically dissect the genetic basis of common human diseases. He spearheaded the SNP Consortium, HapMap, and 1000 Genomes Project, all international public-private partnerships that made possible the modern era of human genetic research. Dr. Altshuler's research has also led the international effort to apply these methods to type 2 diabetes and other diseases, pioneered the use of next-generation sequencing in complex disease, and in developing novel methods to determine the functions of genes identified through human genetics. He was a founding member of the renowned Broad Institute, which fosters interdisciplinary research aimed to meet today's most critical challenges in biology and medicine. Dr. Altshuler participates in public debates about human genetics and its role in medicine and society as a member of the board of directors of the American Society of Human Genetics and the advisory council of the National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases. In addition to his membership in AAAS, he was also inducted as a member of the National Academy of Medicine in 2011. He is the author of over 300 scientific papers, with numerous publications in top-tier journals including Nature, Science, and Nature Genetics.