Aghajanian, Hostetter elected to Institute of Medicine

George K. Aghajanian, M.D., professor of psychiatry and pharmacology, and Margaret K. Hostetter, M.D., professor of pediatrics, chief of the section of pediatric immunology and director of the Yale Child Health Research Center, were elected in October to the Institute of Medicine. Aghajanian was named a senior member and Hostetter a member.

Aghajanian is best known for his basic research on drugs and chemical neurotransmission in the brain. His recent work on serotonin and glutamate has influenced investigations into treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders.

Hostetter’s research focuses on virulence factors in two important pathogens: Streptococcus pneumoniae, the leading cause of death from respiratory infections, and Candida albicans, the predominant cause of fatal fungal infections in patients with compromised immune function. Hostetter co-founded the first clinic specializing in the medical and developmental evaluation of internationally adopted children and has transplanted this model to Yale. She serves on the Council of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.