Academician James Edward Rothman – Doctor Honoris Causa of ”Nicolae Testemitanu” University

Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova conferred the honorary title Doctor Honoris Causa on Academician James Edward Rothman - a remarkable personality in the field of modern biology, Sterling Professor in Cell Biology at Yale University, Professor of Cellular Physiology and Biophysics at Columbia University, USA, Professor at the Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK, Nobel Prize Laureate in Medicine (2013). 

"The honorary title is conferred by the Senate of Nicolae Testemitanu University as a sign of gratitude and high appreciation for the significant contribution to the development of medical sciences, the consolidation of scientific schools in cell biology and molecular medicine, the training of many generations of researchers and for international academic collaboration, including with the Academy of Sciences of Moldova," specified rector Emil Ceban in Laudatio. 

President of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova Ion Tighineanu conveyed a message of support for the university senators’ decision. He highlighted the significance of this legendary meeting as well as the fame of Academician Rothman, who continues to inspire generations of researchers through his example of rigor, modesty and vision. "Through his work, he reminds us that true knowledge does not consist only in discovering the laws of nature, but also in understanding the order and beauty hidden in every cell of life," pointed out the academician.

For his part, academician James Edward Rothman has stated that he feels honored by the title and the attention received, especially because of the relationship he has with our country thanks to his great-grandparents originally from Falesti and Telenesti, who had emigrated to the United States of America at the end of the 20th century. After more than 100 years, he is the first representative of his family to return to his homeland.

Next, the guest spoke about the motivation to do research, the support from his parents, the subject of his research that was appreciated with numerous international awards. At the same time, the illustrious scientist emphasized that any hypothesis must be tested using scientific methods, and the emphasis must be placed on evidence. According to what the American biochemist stated, in science nothing happens by chance, and his collaboration with other erudite researchers gave him the privilege of achieving success that materialized in important discoveries. Professor Rothman stated that he had a fruitful collaboration with George Paladi, a Romanian researcher of international stature, who explained the cellular mechanism of protein production, and who inspired him in his scientific activity. Later, after many years of hard work in the field, Professor Rothman shared the Nobel Prize with another scientist originally from Basarabia, named Randy Schekman, for discoveries regarding the mechanisms that regulate vesicular traffic. 

The celebration took place within the University Sociocultural Complex on October 9, 2025. The event was attended by members of the Senate, heads of university subdivisions, professors, students, resident doctors, doctoral students and representatives of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova.

During his academic career, James Edward Rothman held several positions in prestigious institutions with world-renowned reputations: professor at Stanford University (1978-1988), professor at Princeton University (1988-1991), head of the Cellular Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (1991-2004), professor and director at Columbia University (2004-2008), director of the Department of Cell Biology (2008-2023) at Yale University. He was also director of the Institute for Nanobiology at Yale University, professor at University College London and at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris. 

The teaching and scientific activity of the remarkable Professor Rothman is reflected in over 300 articles published in leading international journals. He has contributed to the training of many generations of researchers. 

Professor James Edward Rothman is a member of the most prestigious academies and scientific organizations, including: the National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Medicine (USA), the Royal Society (UK), the Academia Europaea, the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO).

His research contributions have included serving on the editorial boards of Science, Cell, Journal of Clinical Investigation, Annual Review of Biochemistry, and founding the Gordon Conference on Molecular Membrane Biology. He is also a member of the Lasker Award jury.