UMass Chan’s Nobel Prize winner named one of TIME’s most influential health leaders
Photo | Courtesy of Faith Ninivaggi/UMass Chan Medical School
Victor Ambros, UMass Chan Medical School scientist and Nobel Prize winner
Victor Ambros, the Nobel Prize-winning scientist at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, has gained international recognition once again as he’s been named one of TIME100’s most influential people in health of 2025.
Ambros was selected for the list along with his Nobel win partner Gary Ruvkun of Boston-based Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. The two received a 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in October for their co-discovery of microRNA, short RNA molecules playing an integral role in gene regulation.
“The potential of their discovery is tremendous. With greater knowledge about how genes are controlled throughout development, researchers can start to think about modifying those instructions to address processes that go awry in disease, or even improve agricultural yield or address pests,” Alice Park, senior TIME correspondent, wrote in Ambros’ TIME100 profile.
The annual TIME100 list recognizes the 100 most influential individuals within the health sector including business executives, doctors, scientists, activists, and government officials from across the world.
List members were separated into one of four categories: titans, innovators, pioneers, leaders, and catalysts, with Ambros named as a pioneer.
TIME editors and health correspondents compiled its 2025 list following months of international consultations with sources and experts, according to an article published on Thursday.
"“The recognition of being named to the 2025 TIME100 Health list underscores Dr. Ambros’ contributions to scientific discovery and the importance of his work to advancing biomedical research and, ultimately, human health,” UMass Chan Chancellor Dr. Michael Collins said in an email to WBJ. “Victor has had a profound impact on our academic community, as well as the global RNA community. He is an integral member of a truly stellar group of RNA researchers at UMass Chan who, together, are contributing to the world’s understanding of biological mechanisms and furthering the field of biomedical sciences.”
Ambros was recognized along with the likes of philanthropist and women’s health advocate Melinda French Gates, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr., and former Miami Heat basketball player Dwyane Wade.
In May, TIME100’s 2025 members will convene in New York City to share insights on how to make the world a healthier place, according to the article.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article has been updated to include Dr. Michael Collins' comments.
Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare and diversity, equity, and inclusion industries.
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