Michigan State University Professor Thomas O’Halloran is among the 252 newest members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, joining the ranks of storied members from George Washington and Benjamin Franklin to Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein.
O’Halloran is an MSU Research Foundation Distinguished Professor in the departments of Chemistry and Microbiology, Genetics and Immunology. His research in inorganic chemistry has led to the development of drugs targeting fungal infections and Wilson’s disease. He’s also made new discoveries in the role of metals in fertilization, and new cancer therapies based on his work are in clinical trials.
The academy, first chartered in 1780, recognizes leaders each year in academia, the arts, industry, journalism, philanthropy, policy, research and science. O’Halloran was announced this year alongside members such as actress Jodie Foster and author Colson Whitehead.
“It’s so humbling to look at the list of people, including some of my heroes in the field,” O’Halloran said. “It’s an honor to be selected and thought of as having contributed in a way that I can be counted among this group.”
O’Halloran came to MSU from Northwestern University in 2021, after his wife, Teresa Woodruff, was named provost. He started his career in chemistry with a question — why are metals found in proteins? How did they get there, and what are they doing?
O’Halloran received his first grant from the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, in 1985 and hasn’t stopped since. He’s explored how elements like zinc, mercury, copper and manganese interact with human biology. He also collaborated with Woodruff to explore the role of zinc in the earliest stages of human life, research that could have implications for human fertility.
Coming to MSU, where Barnett Rosenberg discovered the revolutionary cancer treatment cisplatin in 1965, drove him even deeper into drug discovery. He’s exploring cancer therapies, some of which are in the development and approval process.
“Tom has been a tremendous asset to MSU since he arrived five years ago,” College of Natural Science Dean Eric Hegg said. “He’s done so much in the physiology of metals in cells. His research in metals and cancer therapies continues our college’s longstanding legacy in the fight against the disease, and also continues what Barney Rosenberg started with cisplatin nearly 50 years ago. I’m thrilled to see him honored with this well-deserved recognition.”
In addition to his latest accolade, O’Halloran is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and the National Academy of Inventors. He’s also received the NIH MERIT Award, the National Science Foundation’s Presidential Young Investigator Award, Eli Lilly’s Biochemistry Award, the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology’s Scientific Achievement Award and the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award.
“It is incredible to see Tom’s contributions recognized by such a prestigious institution,” said Supratik Rayamajhi, interim dean of the College of Human Medicine. “His work across inorganic chemistry, biology and medicine has advanced our understanding of fertility, cancer and other diseases. My congratulations to Tom on all his achievements.”
