The Jackson Laboratory has named Associate Professor Ron Korstanje, Ph.D., to the Evnin Family Chair. With his appointment, Korstanje, a specialist in the genetics of kidney disease and function, begins a new phase of his 20 years of dedication to JAX’s goals.
As stated by President and CEO Lon Cardon, Ph.D., FMedSci, Ron’s outstanding contributions to JAX have advanced research discoveries and nurtured generations of future scientists. His selection to the Evnin Family Chair strengthens our resolve to comprehend the most challenging modern health issues. He was appreciative of him and the Evnin family for their assistance in assisting us to attract and keep outstanding scientists.
Being a leading expert in his domain, Korstanje has written over 110 articles examining the relationship between kidney function, aging, metabolism, and genetics. In addition to being a lead collaborator at the JAX Center for Aging Research, he is an excellent volunteer for both JAX-affiliated organizations and internal committees and boards.
Korstanje has been conducting research in a variety of species, including C. elegans, zebrafish, mice, and even black bears, to gain a better understanding of the biology of aging and the age-associated reduction of kidney function. He co-authored research that found novel genes that had not previously been linked to longevity and that revealed treatments that target these genes to enhance kidney function and lengthen life expectancy.
Having been raised and schooled in the Netherlands, Korstanje joined JAX in 2001 as a postdoctoral fellow, assisting the late Beverly Paigen, Ph.D., a renowned scientist and mentor. In 2004, he was brought back to the Netherlands to work as a research associate in the medical biology department at the University of Groningen, where he soon attained the rank of assistant professor. In 2007, he rejoined JAX and worked as a research scientist in Paigen’s lab. In 2019, he was promoted to associate professor.
Korstanje has supervised numerous undergraduate, predoctoral, and postdoctoral trainees during his time at JAX. Additionally, he works with participants in the esteemed Summer Student Program (SSP) of the nonprofit biomedical research institution, which is celebrating its centennial this summer. Throughout the 10-week program, Korstanje has lived with his family next to students in his role as the Bar Harbor SSP resident supervisor. It was a full circle event last year when he named the first Paigen Fellow to a one-year position in his laboratory.
Korstanje expressed her honor at being named the Evnin Family Chair. With the support of excellent mentors and colleagues at JAX, as well as top-notch resources, He have been able to progress my research for more than 20 years. He was thrilled to be able to contribute even more to our amazing scientific community and our common goal of a healthier future.
Emeritus Trustee Anthony B. Evnin, Ph.D., and his spouse Judith established the Evnin Family Chair in 2015. They were among the first people to finance endowed chairs at JAX. Korstanje is the successor to the late George Weinstock, Ph.D., a highly esteemed member of the JAX community and a pioneering geneticist. In order to fund innovative JAX research aimed at shielding individuals against Alzheimer’s disease even if they have a hereditary predisposition to it, the Evnins have established a second chair, the Evnin Family Endowed Chair in Alzheimer’s Research.
There are now 15 endowed chair seats at JAX, all of them are supported by kind donors.
Nearly 3,000 people work for the independent, nonprofit Jackson Laboratory, a biomedical research organization with locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan, and China. The Jackson Laboratory is a cancer center designated by the National Cancer Institute. Its goal is to empower the international biomedical community in our common endeavor to enhance human health by finding accurate genetic treatments for disease.
