Rollins Professor Inducted into National Academy of Medicine

The National Academy of Medicine announced Monday that Mohammed Ali, MD, has been inducted to the Academy, one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine.

Ali serves as the William H. Foege Distinguished Professor of Global Health and a professor of epidemiology at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, co-director of the Emory Global Diabetes Research Center, and vice chair of research in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at Emory’s School of Medicine.

He was one of 100 new members, and one of three from Emory, elected by the Academy through a process that recognizes individuals who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care, and public health.

Ali earned his medical degree at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, master’s degrees in cardiovascular medicine and global public health from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom as a Rhodes Scholar, and an MBA and family medicine board certification from Emory.

His work centers on cardiometabolic health—including diabetes, obesity, and related conditions—as well as health care delivery, preventive services, and implementation science. He served as a scientific advisor to the CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation from 2010-2025 and has led or contributed to key reports for the World Health Organization, World Bank, International Diabetes Federation, and National Academy of Medicine.

“I am so very honored to be elected to the National Academy of Medicine. While accolades like this one are individual, research is a team sport – and I am just so fortunate that we have an amazing team at the Emory Global Diabetes Research Center,” Ali says. “From our administrative team that binds us like glue, to our superstar faculty, our families who support us, and our ‘can-do’ spirit, this achievement is recognition of our Center’s tremendous efforts to study and combat the devastating burdens of diabetes around the world.”

The Emory Global Diabetes Research Center uses a broad international network to strengthen researchers’ capacity to conduct leading studies on diabetes and related conditions including stroke, hypertension, heart disease, tuberculosis, and mental health disorders. The Center’s work focuses on understanding the causes and impacts of these diseases, developing prevention strategies, and shaping health policy by examining risk factors such as demographics, nutrition, obesity, physiology, and physical activity.

Founded in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences as the Institute of Medicine, the National Academy of Medicine tackles pressing challenges in health, science, medicine, and public policy while driving positive change across sectors. Working in partnership with the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine delivers independent, evidence-based analysis and advice to address complex issues and guide sound policy decisions.

“My hope going forward is that membership to Academy will open opportunities to reach and engage decision-makers globally to accelerate the translation of scientific advances in diabetes and related conditions to improvements in practice and policy, and ultimately, impact human health positively,” Ali says.