Two physician-scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine have been distinguished with prestigious early-career honors from the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) for the year 2026, recognizing their exceptional contributions to biomedical research and the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical practice. The recipients, Dr. Semra Etyemez and Dr. Jesse Platt, exemplify the commitment and innovation emblematic of the next generation of medical researchers dedicated to advancing healthcare through rigorous scientific inquiry.
The ASCI, a venerable medical honor society with a membership exceeding 3,500 physician-scientists across diverse clinical and research disciplines, serves to promote the integration of laboratory science and clinical medicine. This society’s early-career awards are crafted to acknowledge groundbreaking research accomplishments by investigators at critical stages in their careers and to foster their professional development and immersion within an influential scientific community.
Dr. Semra Etyemez, who holds research associate appointments in both obstetrics and gynecology as well as psychiatry, was awarded the ASCI Emerging-Generation Award. This accolade is bestowed upon promising post-MD researchers who have yet to secure faculty positions but who are deeply engaged in intensive, high-impact investigations. Her work probes the biological substrates underlying perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, an area of profound clinical significance due to the high prevalence and deleterious impact of these conditions on maternal and child health.
In her research, Dr. Etyemez aims to elucidate the complex neurobiological changes occurring during the perinatal period, with a particular focus on identifying reliable biomarkers that could predict or reflect the onset of mood disturbances. This precision approach aspires to pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies that prevent or mitigate perinatal mental illness, a field historically hindered by limited mechanistic understanding. Dr. Etyemez emphasizes how this award highlights the critical importance of advancing perinatal mental health research, which remains an underexplored yet vital domain affecting millions of women worldwide.
Parallel to Dr. Etyemez’s achievements, Dr. Jesse Platt, an assistant professor specializing in gastroenterology and hepatology, received the ASCI Young Physician-Scientist Award. This distinction is reserved for early faculty members who have demonstrated exceptional research accomplishments with strong potential to influence the trajectory of their fields. Dr. Platt’s laboratory investigates the dynamic intracellular organization and protein mobility, fundamental biological processes that govern cellular function and contribute to disease pathogenesis.
His research centers on decoding how cellular architecture modulates molecular interactions, with implications for metabolic diseases and other complex disorders. By dissecting the spatial-temporal behavior of proteins within the cellular milieu, Dr. Platt endeavors to uncover mechanistic insights that may ultimately be harnessed to formulate innovative therapeutic interventions. He notes that receiving this award affirms the impact of his work and invigorates his commitment to scientific exploration during this pivotal stage of his career.
Both scientists are slated to receive their awards at the upcoming ASCI annual meeting in April, an event that convenes leading physician-scientists from across medical disciplines to exchange ideas and foster collaboration. This forum offers an invaluable platform for early-career investigators like Dr. Etyemez and Dr. Platt to engage with esteemed colleagues, broaden their professional networks, and refine their leadership skills through targeted workshops and discussion panels.
Beyond the ceremony, the honorees will participate in ongoing ASCI activities throughout the year, including leadership development programs, mentorship from senior members, and scientific symposia that encourage interdisciplinary dialogue. These opportunities are designed to enhance the careers of emerging physician-scientists by providing access to resources essential for successful navigation of the academic research landscape.
Dr. Etyemez’s research occupies a critical nexus between psychiatry and obstetrics, emphasizing the necessity of understanding the neuroendocrine and molecular mechanisms that modulate maternal mental health. The perinatal period, encompassing pregnancy and the postpartum phase, is marked by profound hormonal fluctuations that impact brain function. Her work strives to translate these biological insights into clinical applications that can improve screening, diagnosis, and treatment strategies for mood and anxiety disorders in this unique patient population.
In contrast, Dr. Platt’s investigations delve into the realm of cell biology with a focus on gastroenterological conditions that pose significant global health burdens. By elucidating how intracellular organization influences disease mechanisms, his findings may revolutionize the conceptual framework guiding the development of therapies for chronic metabolic and liver diseases, among others. His approach exemplifies how fundamental research at the molecular level can culminate in translational breakthroughs with real-world clinical relevance.
Together, these two awardees underscore the breadth and depth of contemporary physician-scientist research at Weill Cornell Medicine. Their work not only advances our biological understanding of complex diseases but also highlights the symbiotic relationship between clinical experience and scientific investigation that propels medical innovation. The acknowledgment by ASCI serves as both a recognition of their past accomplishments and an encouragement for continued pioneering efforts to improve patient outcomes.
As the scientific community anticipates the presentation of these awards, the broader impact of such honors becomes clear: They inspire a new cadre of physician-scientists to pursue investigative careers that bridge bench and bedside. By fostering an environment that supports early-career researchers, organizations like ASCI play a pivotal role in ensuring the sustainability of biomedical discovery and the future of clinical medicine.
In summary, Dr. Semra Etyemez and Dr. Jesse Platt’s recognition by the American Society for Clinical Investigation not only celebrates their individual scientific contributions but also epitomizes the mission of physician-scientist training programs that cultivate leaders dedicated to improving human health through research. Their awarded work in perinatal mental health and cellular mechanisms of disease embodies the transformative potential of early-career investigators in reshaping medical science.
The advancements spearheaded by these researchers highlight critical areas of unmet medical need and promise innovative avenues for therapeutic interventions. Through such distinguished honors, the broader medical community gains both inspiration and affirmation that the future of clinical research is in capable and visionary hands.
Subject of Research: Biological mechanisms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders; intracellular protein mobility and its role in disease biology
Article Title: Two Weill Cornell Medicine Physician-Scientists Honored with Prestigious Early-Career Awards from ASCI for 2026
News Publication Date: 2026
Web References:
- Dr. Semra Etyemez: https://vivo.weill.cornell.edu/display/cwid-see4002
- Dr. Jesse Platt: https://vivo.weill.cornell.edu/display/cwid-jep4025
Image Credits: Credit: Weill Cornell Medicine
Keywords: Early career scientists, Psychiatry, Geriatrics, Gastroenterology
