Prestigious Academic Recognition
Dr. Alan Saltiel, Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, has been elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Founded in 1780 by John Adams, John Hancock, and other founders of the United States, the academy is one of the nation's oldest and most selective honorary societies, honoring leaders across academia, the arts, industry, policy, and science.
Saltiel's election brings the total number of UC San Diego faculty elected to the prestigious academy to 189. The 2026 cohort comprises more than 250 international scholars and leaders recognized for preeminent contributions to the advancement of public knowledge.
"Alan Saltiel's election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences exemplifies UC San Diego's commitment to transformative, interdisciplinary research that improves human health," said UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. "This recognition is a proud moment for the entire campus and reflects both Saltiel's personal scientific excellence and the university's commitment to tackling the most pressing health challenges of our time".
Pioneering Research in Metabolic Health
Saltiel serves as the Maryam Ahmadian Endowed Chair in Metabolic Health, Director of the UC San Diego Institute for Diabetes and Metabolic Health, and Director of the joint UC San Diego/UCLA Diabetes Research Center.
An alumnus of Duke University and the University of North Carolina, Saltiel has built an extensive career bridging basic biomedical discovery, translational science, and pharmaceutical development. His scientific career has centered on unraveling complex cellular signaling mechanisms involved in insulin action, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. His laboratory's discoveries have illuminated the molecular pathways governing cellular energy metabolism and cleared pathways for novel therapeutic interventions.
Sustained Contributions to Medicine
Throughout his career, Saltiel has authored hundreds of peer-reviewed articles and holds numerous patents related to metabolic disorder treatments. In addition to his election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Saltiel is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and a fellow of both the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Academy of Inventors.
Saltiel's induction into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences celebrates decades of sustained academic leadership and commitment to advancing medical solutions for global metabolic health challenges.