Twice in the past month, Time Magazine has named Yale School of Medicine scientist Akiko Iwasaki, PhD, to one of its prestigious “Time100” lists.
On April 17, Time featured Iwasaki on its list of “the 100 most influential people of 2024,” which included leading figures in a variety of fields including the arts, entertainment, world politics, and the group that highlighted Iwasaki — innovators. Iwasaki is Sterling Professor of Immunobiology and professor of dermatology; of molecular, cellular & developmental biology; and of epidemiology (microbial diseases),
In praising Iwasaki, Anthony Fauci, MD, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, wrote in Time that “she is at the top of her game. Her deep appreciation of the regulation of the human immune system has allowed her to lead the way in delineating the mechanisms of how it reacts to COVID-19, and the consequences of Long COVID.”
On May 2, a second list featured Iwasaki — this one devoted to the 100 most influential people in health. The magazine described the group as “a community of leaders from across industries — scientists, doctors, advocates, educators, and policy-makers, among others — dedicated to creating tangible, credible change for a healthier population.”
In recognizing Iwasaki in its category called “leaders,” Time noted her work toward being able to administer COVID-19 vaccines through the nose, the part of the body through which the virus often enters and where vaccines may offer the best protection. Time also cited Iwasaki’s efforts toward solving the mysteries of post-infection diseases like Long COVID. Of her work on treating and preventing Long COVID symptoms, and also on the disease’s basic biology, Iwasaki told Time that she is in it for the long haul. “It’s not going to be solved overnight,” she said, “but I’m committed to doing it.”