Andrew Pieper, professor of psychiatry and member of the Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, has been selected for membership in the American Society for Clinical Investigation, one of the nation’s oldest and most respected medical honor societies.

The ASCI considers the nominations of several hundred physician-scientists submitted from among its members each year and elects up to 80 new members each year for their significant research accomplishments. Because members must be 50 years of age or younger at the time of their election, membership reflects accomplishments by its members relatively early in their careers.

Pieper’s election brings the number of UI faculty among the ASCI membership to 34.

Pieper’s research focuses on the discovery of new treatment options for neuropsychiatric disease, using animal models and pharmacologic screening approaches. This approach is characterized by the discovery of the P7C3-series of neuroprotective molecules, which offer protection in animal models of Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, peripheral nerve injury, traumatic brain injury and other forms of neurodegeneration. The Pieper laboratory is also implementing similar discovery approaches to identify new treatment options for autism, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder.