Baylor Honors Six Innovators with Prestigious DeBakey Research Awards

Houston, Texas, USA - On June 24, 2025, Baylor College of Medicine celebrated outstanding contributions to clinical and basic science research by awarding the prestigious Michael E. DeBakey M.D. Award for Excellence in Research to six remarkable faculty members. This award, named after the first president of the college, honors excellence over a three-year period and includes a commemorative medallion along with research funding. Dr. Paul Klotman, president of Baylor, expressed immense pride in the awardees‘ work and attributed much of their success to the support from the DeBakey Medical Foundation.

The 2025 recipients are:

• Dr. Alastair Thompson
• Dr. Anna Mandalakas
• Dr. Anthony Maresso
• Dr. Hongjie Li
• Dr. Lilei Zhang
• Dr. Na Li

Innovative Research Contributions

Each of these awardees has made significant strides in their respective fields. For instance, Dr. Hongjie Li is pioneering work in single-cell sequencing and multi-omics to study aging. His notable achievements include developing the first single-cell RNA-sequencing technique for Drosophila and co-leading the creation of the Fly Cell Atlas, which was published in the journal Science in 2022. Li’s extensive research in aging has also led to the establishment of the Aging Fly Cell Atlas and the Alzheimer’s disease Fly Cell Atlas. His groundbreaking work garnered recognition from the Welch Foundation with an award in 2023.

Dr. Na Li has focused her research on cardiac electrophysiology, investigating inflammatory pathways particularly related to atrial fibrillation. She has defined the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling as a crucial mediator in atrial fibrillation and has more than 90 peer-reviewed articles to her name in leading scientific journals.

Dr. Anna Maria Mandalakas is recognized for her important research on tuberculosis (TB) in children. With over 40 peer-reviewed manuscripts and more than $12 million in research funding across various countries, her work is vital in evaluating TB screening and prevention strategies.

Public Health and Cardiology Innovations

Turning to public health, Dr. Anthony Maresso has developed a monitoring program for disease-causing viruses found in wastewater, which is becoming crucial for infectious disease tracking. His research has shed light on the detection of H5N1 bird flu in wastewater, showcasing the intersection of environmental science and health.

On the front lines of cancer research, Dr. Alastair Thompson’s focus is on breast cancer treatment and clinical trials. Leading innovative efforts in surgical imaging technology, he has published over 450 peer-reviewed articles, making significant impacts in breast cancer care.

A heart specialist, Dr. Lilei Zhang, has directed his research towards circadian regulation and inherited cardiac diseases. His pioneering work on ERR agonists aims to improve heart failure treatments, and he has discovered a promising treatment for TANGO2 deficiency disorder that can prevent fatal arrhythmias.

Emerging Findings from Immunology

Also worth mentioning is Dr. Jordan Orange, the Chief of Immunology, Allergy, and Rheumatology at Texas Children’s Hospital and a professor at Baylor. His research is pivotal in understanding primary immunodeficiency and the cellular biology of natural killer (NK) cells, which play a crucial role in combating tumors and viral infections. Recent discoveries published in Nature Genetics explored a connection between a vesicular transport protein and a hereditary autoimmune condition affecting the lungs and joints. Additionally, Dr. Orange’s previous work detailed the implications of IRF8 gene variants related to NK cell deficiencies and their increased risks for severe viral infections.

Dr. Orange has a multitude of recognized publications, including opportunities where he has showcased how NK cells enhance their effectiveness in targeting diseased cells while limiting damage to healthy ones through the strategic concentration of lytic granules. His work exemplifies the vital nature of immunology research and its implications for patient care.

These exceptional achievements highlight the innovative power of Baylor College of Medicine and its commitment to advancing health through research, providing hope and new understanding in various fields. With brilliant minds pushing the boundaries of medical knowledge, there’s certainly something to be said for the future of healthcare.