Congratulations to Dr Nadia Schoenmakers who gave the  2020 Van Meter Award lecture on 12 September during the first ever virtual meeting of the American Thyroid Association (ATA). The award, established in 1930, recognizes outstanding contributions to research on the thyroid gland or related subjects and is given each year to an investigator no more than 45 years in age.

The ATA described Dr. Schoenmakers as an outstanding speaker who presents her work clearly and elegantly and a worthy recipient of the highly sought-after and prestigious Van Meter Award.

Dr Shoenmakers’ research uses candidate gene, gene panel, and whole exome sequencing technologies to identify known and novel genetic causes of congenital hypothyroidism. Her work has led to the characterization of three congenital thyroid conditions, collaborations with pediatric endocrinologists and investigators worldwide, and several publications and presentations. She also contributes to adult and pediatric thyroid practice and to diagnostic services for unusual and rare thyroid disorders, serving as an Honorary Consultant Endocrinologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and a Visiting Specialist at Great Ormond St. Hospital in London.

The ATA is dedicated to transforming thyroid care through clinical excellence, education, scientific discovery and advocacy in a collaborative community. The ATA website serves as a bonafide clinical resource for patients and the public who look for reliable information on the Internet.