Professor Randy Schekman, Nobel Prize Laureate in Medicine, has become Doctor Honoris Causa of ”Nicolae Testemitanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy

The Senate of Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova awarded the honorary title of Doctor Honoris Causa to Mr. Randy Schekman, professor at the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Berkeley, USA, Nobel Prize Laureate in Medicine (2013), a world-renowned scientist at Howard Hughes Medical Institute. 

At the opening of the ceremony, university rector, Professor Emil Ceban, read the Laudatio, highly appreciating the multilateral scientific activity of researcher Schekman, as well as the continuous effort to develop the world health system. "Fundamental discoveries in the field of molecular biology constitute the basis of all normal and pathological biological processes of living organisms, including humans, with beneficial results for the understanding, prophylaxis and treatment of the most severe pathologies. Each stage of his professional ascent confirms the tenacity and dedication with which he built his destiny and followed his calling", emphasized the rector.

Academician Stanislav Groppa, vice-rector for research activity, pointed out the stages in Prof. Schekman’s research career. Initially, he focused on important directions, little studied at that time - the architecture of cells, structures that form the surrounding world and, further, the synthesis processes that are the basis of extremely significant strategies, such as the strategy of insulin synthesis, and today over two thirds of the world's population use the results of his research. It is a holy cause in conducting research. Currently the distinguished scientist is studying Alzheimer's disease, which affects many people, there are around 6 million patients in the US alone.

Professor Groppa believes that it is important to recognize where your roots originate, irrespective of the fact if you are in the USA or in another state: "You are a citizen of the Republic of Moldova, you grew up here, and it is an education credo to love your land and peers, and to continue working for humanity, for the people. Thank you for representing a role model for intellectuals, continuity for researchers, our university is proud to have such a famous scientist among us”. 

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It is a historic day for the Republic of Moldova, which is visited by a scientist of international stature, with Bessarabian genealogical roots, highlighted the president of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova Ion Tighineanu, who noted that the last time when a Nobel Prize laureate visited our country was 50 years ago. "The event will go down in the history of science and education of our country. In the person of the distinguished professor, we have a supporter at the international level in our desire to build in the Republic of Moldova capacities in science and technology and to integrate our research into the European and international area", added academician Ion Tighineanu. 

Professor Randy Schekman expressed his gratitude for the awarded title. In this context, the scientist appreciated “the deeply held spirit of democracy that has taken hold in Moldova”, “the level of commitment that Moldova has to a democratic future and a union with Western Europe”, mentioning that “this is a desirable goal, one that I hope to be able in my own way to contribute to in the years ahead.” 

The ceremony took place on September 9, 2023 - an event attended by members of the Senate of Nicolae Testemitanu University, heads of university subdivisions, professors, students, resident doctors, doctoral students, representatives of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova and other guests.

Professor Randy Schekman was born on December 30, 1948, in Saint Paul, the capital of the State of Minnesota, United States of America, in a Jewish family with Bessarabian origins. Mr. Schekman's maternal grandparents come from the town of Lipcani, Briceni district. In 1927, his family migrated to the United States of America.

 In 1966, Randy Schekman graduated from Western High School in Anaheim, California. In 1971 he obtained his bachelor's degree in molecular sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles. Later, he studied molecular biology at the same university, after which he was enrolled at Stanford University, Department of Biochemistry. In 1975 he received a PhD degree for research on DNA replication and followed postdoctoral studies. A year later, the young scientist returned to the University of California, Berkeley. Here, in 1981, he was promoted to Associate Professor, and in 1984 became a University Professor. 

For prodigious scientific activity and outstanding human qualities, in 1999 he was elected president of the American Society for Cell Biology, member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow and member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Between 2006-2011, the scientist exercised his duties of editor, and from 2011 – of editor-in-chief of eLife open access specialized magazine. He is also a member of the Life Science and Medicine Selection Committee for the selection of Shaw Prize winners.

The scientific research results obtained by Professor Randy Schekman and James Rothman were recognized in 2002 with Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research and Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize of Columbia University, for the discovery of cell membrane trafficking – a process by which cells organize their activities and communicate with the environment.

 In 2010, the Massry Award was bestowed on him by the University of Southern California. In 2013, Professor Randy Schekman, together with Professors Thomas C. Sudhof and James Rothman, became Nobel Prize Laureates in Medicine for their discoveries of machinery regulating vesicle traffic, a major transport system in our cells, thanks to which molecules are transported in the cell to the right place and at the right time.

The scientist demonstrated the similarity between the secretory pathways of yeast cells and human cells. Currently, the professor is concerned with the application of his research in studies on protein transport genetic disorders. Professor Randy Schekman is also well known as a supporter of the Open Access movement and the reform of the academic journal publishing process.

 In 2021, Professor Randy Schekman was elected honorary member of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova.

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