Varki Lab

About Ajit Varki

Google Scholar Profile

Biography

Ajit Varki received basic training in physiology, medicine, biology, and biochemistry at the Christian Medical College, Vellore, The University of Nebraska, Omaha, and Washington University, St. Louis. Dr. Varki was trained and board-certified in internal medicine, hematology, and oncology. He joined the faculty of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in 1982.

Professor Ajit Varki is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, National Academy of Medicine, American Society for Clinical Investigation, Association of American Physicians, and of Sigma Xi. He has been a recipient of a MERIT award from the NIH, the American Cancer Society Faculty Research Award, as well as four of the highest honors in the field: the Karl Meyer Award (2005), the International Glycoconjugate Organization Award (2007), the Rosalind Kornfeld Award for Lifetime Achievement in Glycobiology (2020), and the Distinguished Service Award from the Society of Glycobiology; Dr. Varki also received the ASBMB Herbert Tabor Research Award (2023). He was elected President of the American Society for Clinical Investigation (1998–1999), President of the Society for Glycobiology (1996) and served Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of Clinical Investigation (1992–1997). He is  recognized for creating the first major open access research journal, The Journal of Clinical Investigation, JCI (1996), as well as the first major open access textbook, Essentials of Glycobiology (2008) and the most recent Edition is available online. Dr. Varki was honored with the Old Cottonian of Eminence Award at the 150th Anniversary of Bishop Cotton Boy's School in Bangalore, India (2015) and he was also honored with the Annual Research Day Distinguished Faculty Medal and Oration at his medical school alma mater, the Christian Medical College, Vellore, India (2020). Dr. Varki's interests in human evolution also led him to propose a novel Mind Over Reality Transition theory about human origins, in the book, Denial.

Significant past appointments also include:

• Specialist Advisor to the Vertebrate Gene Nomenclature Committee (2017–2022)
• Specialist Advisor to the Human Gene Nomenclature Committee (2001–2022)
• Associate Dean for Physician-Scientist Training at UCSD (2003–2010)
• Consulting Editor for PLoS Medicine (2004–2008)
• Coordinator for the multidisciplinary UCSD Project for Explaining the Origins of Humans (1996–2007)
• Committee Member of the National Advisory Committee of PubMed Central (NLM/NIH) (2003–2006)
• Consulting Editor for the Journal of Clinical Investigation (1998–2006)
• Scientific Advisor to the Yerkes Primate Center (Emory University) (1997–2001)
• Scientific Advisor to the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center (University of Georgia) (1993–1999)
• Interim Director of the UCSD Cancer Center (1996–1997)
• Co-Head, UCSD Division of Hematology/Oncology (1987–1989)