George Washington University Professor of Chemistry and Medicine Holden Thorp, editor-in-chief of the Science family of journals, is the recipient of Friends of the National Library of Medicine’s (FNLM) 2025 Donald A.B. Lindberg Award for Distinguished Health Communications.
The award recognizes Thorp’s exceptional leadership in scientific publishing and his dedication to improving public understanding of biomedical and health sciences. Under his stewardship, “Science” has helped shape global discourse on pressing topics including pandemic response, climate change and medical innovation.
“Dr. Thorp’s dedication to making biomedical and health sciences accessible to the public aligns perfectly with the mission of FNLM and the legacy of Dr. Donald A.B. Lindberg,” said FNLM Chair Barbara Redman. “His leadership in scientific publishing has not only advanced the dissemination of knowledge but also reinforced the essential role of science in society.”
Before joining “Science,” Thorp held academic leadership roles as provost at Washington University in St. Louis and chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has been a consistent advocate for the role of science in public policy and for strengthening science communication across diverse audiences.
Thorp will be honored at the 2025 FNLM Awards Gala on Sept. 8 at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel in Washington, D.C. The annual gala recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to medical science, health communications, and public service.