ATLANTA — In a remarkable affirmation of scholarly excellence, two preeminent researchers from the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State University have been distinguished as among the most highly cited scientists worldwide. This elite recognition, conferred by Clarivate in its Highly Cited Researchers 2025 list, places these researchers at the very apex of global scientific influence, highlighting their seminal contributions that have shaped and propelled biomedical sciences forward.
Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers list is an annual publication that identifies scientists and social scientists who have demonstrated outsized impact within their research domains through a combination of extensive publication and extraordinary citation metrics. The exhaustive selection process highlights those researchers whose published work ranks within the top 1% by citations for their respective fields over the previous 11 years, underscoring not only influence but also the integrity and reproducibility of their contributions to scientific knowledge.
This prestigious designation is not merely a reflection of citation counts but embodies a holistic assessment incorporating quantitative bibliometrics, qualitative review, and expert judgment to ensure the recognition of truly groundbreaking research. Being named to this list signifies that a researcher’s work has garnered sustained attention and has deeply influenced the trajectory of their scientific discipline, marking them as leaders whose findings have shaped research agendas and clinical practices worldwide.
Within this competitive and global context, Georgia State University’s Institute for Biomedical Sciences proudly counts two leading figures among its faculty who exemplify this highest standard of research excellence. Regents’ Professor Andrew Gewirtz and Distinguished University Professor Lanying Du have each secured places on the 2025 Highly Cited Researchers list in the coveted cross-field category, underlining their versatile and broad-ranging scientific impact across multiple intersecting disciplines.
Professor Andrew Gewirtz, whose scholarly work spans a wide array of biomedical fields, has been recognized consistently from 2022 through 2025. His cross-disciplinary influence is emblematic of an expansive research portfolio that transcends traditional boundaries, impacting areas as diverse as immunology, microbiology, and gastrointestinal physiology. Gewirtz’s ability to integrate complex biological systems insights has advanced understanding of disease mechanisms and opened new therapeutic avenues.
Equally distinguished, Professor Lanying Du continues to solidify her reputation as a towering figure in biomedical science. Listed on the Highly Cited Researchers roster since 2021, Du’s expertise has been acknowledged across both microbiology and cross-field categories, reflecting her prolific contributions at the interface of virology, immunology, and molecular biology. Moreover, her inclusion in Stanford University’s top 2 percent most-cited scientists for multiple consecutive years further attests to the enduring significance and wide-reaching impact of her research.
The emphasis on cross-field categorization for both Gewirtz and Du highlights a critical trend in contemporary science: the rising importance of interdisciplinary approaches that leverage techniques and insights from several domains to tackle complex biological questions. Their work exemplifies how bridging distinct fields fosters innovation, accelerates discovery, and enhances the translation of fundamental science into clinical applications.
In the broader landscape, the 2025 Highly Cited Researchers list comprises 7,131 awards granted to 6,868 researchers hailing from 60 countries. This global assembly reflects science’s international fabric and the collaborative nature of knowledge generation. These honorees represent a minuscule fraction of the global scientific community—approximately one in every 1,000 researchers—underscoring the exacting standards and exceptional achievements required for such inclusion.
The methodology underpinning the selection extends beyond mere citation tallying; it employs Clarivate’s Web of Science Core Collection to identify publications with exceptional citation performance, followed by rigorous data analytics and peer evaluation. This process ensures that the honored researchers are those whose scientific contributions have demonstrable, broad-scale influence that galvanizes further research, informs policy, and impacts public health outcomes.
For Georgia State University, having faculty members continually recognized on this list strengthens its standing as a hub of cutting-edge biomedical research. It reflects strategic investments in research infrastructure, interdisciplinary collaboration, and robust mentorship that empower scientists to produce high-impact investigations addressing urgent biomedical challenges, particularly in infectious and gastrointestinal diseases.
The work led by Gewirtz, for example, delves into the complex interplay between the gut microbiome and systemic immune responses, elucidating mechanisms that underpin chronic inflammatory conditions and informing development of microbiota-targeted therapies. Conversely, Du’s research advances understanding of viral pathogenesis and host immune defense mechanisms, contributing to vaccine development and antiviral strategies.
This confluence of expertise is pivotal in an era where infectious diseases and gastrointestinal disorders remain pervasive public health concerns globally. Their groundbreaking research not only advances fundamental biomedical science but also holds promise for transformative clinical applications that will improve patient outcomes and resilience against emerging pathogens.
As scientific inquiry increasingly demands collaborative, cross-disciplinary frameworks, the accomplishments of these researchers illustrate the power of integrative thinking and persistent innovation. Their recognition by Clarivate serves as both a testament to individual brilliance and a beacon inspiring emerging scientists within the biomedical community.
Ultimately, the inclusion of Professors Andrew Gewirtz and Lanying Du in the 2025 Highly Cited Researchers list signals a pivotal contribution to the global scientific enterprise. Their work exemplifies research excellence, influence, and leadership in the pursuit of knowledge that drives forward human health and well-being on a worldwide scale.
Subject of Research: Infectious diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, biomedical sciences
Article Title: Georgia State University Researchers Among World’s Most Highly Cited Scientists in Biomedical Sciences
News Publication Date: 2025
Web References:
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State University: https://biomedical.gsu.edu/
- Highly Cited Researchers 2025 by Clarivate: https://clarivate.com/highly-cited-researchers/
- Web of Science Core Collection: https://clarivate.com/academia-government/scientific-and-academic-research/research-discovery-and-referencing/web-of-science/web-of-science-core-collection/
Keywords: Infectious diseases, Gastrointestinal disorders, Biomedical sciences, Highly cited researchers, Cross-field research, Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular biology, Scientific impact, Research excellence
