Election Citation:Dr. Wang Xiaodong, a distinguished biologist born in 1963 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and a U.S. citizen, has been recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to the field of cell apoptosis. Graduating from Beijing Normal University in 1984 and obtaining his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in 1991, he was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2004.

Dr. Wang's innovative use of biochemical techniques unveiled the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis, particularly identifying the mitochondria's central role in this process, challenging traditional views on mitochondria and revolutionizing our understanding of cell biology. His work significantly impacts the study of evolution, development, and diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's. As the full-time director of the newly established National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, he has implemented reforms that have made the institute a leading center for life sciences in China, achieving breakthroughs such as identifying the hepatitis B virus receptor and solving longstanding research challenges.