2026 O’Donnell Award in Medicine: Pengfei Liu, Ph.D
Trailblazing geneticist Pengfei Liu, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine, is the recipient of the 2026 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in Medicine from TAMEST. He was chosen for his transformative use of genome and RNA sequencing to improve the diagnosis and treatment of rare genetic diseases.
A global leader in his field, Dr. Liu has consistently expanded the boundaries in the diagnosis and treatment of rare genetic disorders. His contributions span nearly every major advancement in modern clinical genetics – from early discoveries of genome rearrangement mechanisms to transforming exome, whole genome and RNA sequencing into frontline clinical diagnostics. These advancements enable clinicians to analyze a person’s genetic code to better understand diseases, leading to faster and more accurate diagnoses.
As a leader in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undiagnosed Diseases Network, Dr. Liu helped establish whole-genome and RNA sequencing as clinically approved tests, benefiting thousands of patients and enabling individualized medicine and personalized treatment to give each patient an accurate diagnosis in order to receive the appropriate clinical care.
His lab also uses cutting-edge techniques to study how genes behave in specific tissues, which has opened doors to new RNA-based treatments. His work has not only increased the number of patients getting a diagnosis, but also sped up the process of developing treatments for rare and previously mysterious diseases.
“Dr. Liu is a true innovator in integrating cutting-edge genomics by using a patient’s genetic information to guide clinical diagnostics and care,” said nominator Arthur L. Beaudet, M.D. (NAM, NAS), Professor Emeritus at Baylor College of Medicine. “His creative advances are directly improving lives, and he truly embodies the spirit of the O’Donnell Award – advancing science through bold modernization and transformative patient care.”
Dr. Liu is one of five Texas-based researchers receiving the TAMEST 2026 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards. Recipients are chosen for their individual contributions addressing the essential role that science and technology play in society, and whose work meets the highest standards of exemplary professional performance, creativity and resourcefulness.
Dr. Liu will be recognized at the 2026 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, and will give a presentation on his research on Wednesday morning, February 4, at the TAMEST 2026 Annual Conference: Pioneering Climate Innovations in San Antonio, Texas, at the Kimpton Santo Hotel.
The Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards annually recognize rising star Texas researchers who are addressing the essential role that science and technology play in society, and whose work meets the highest standards of exemplary professional performance, creativity and resourcefulness.
Nominations for the 2027 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards will open Tuesday, January 20, 2026, and close Monday, March 30, 2026, at 6 p.m. CT.
The Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards are made possible by the O’Donnell Awards Endowment, established in 2005 through the generous support of several individuals and organizations. View a full list of supporters here.
TAMEST was co-founded in 2004 by the Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison and Nobel Laureates Michael S. Brown, M.D., and Richard E. Smalley, Ph.D. With more than 355 members, eight Nobel Laureates and 23 member institutions, TAMEST is composed of the Texas-based members of the three National Academies (National Academy of Medicine, National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Sciences) and other honorific organizations. We bring together the state’s brightest minds in medicine, engineering, science and technology to foster collaboration, and to advance research, innovation and business in Texas.
TAMEST’s unique interdisciplinary model has become an effective recruitment tool for top research and development centers across Texas. Since our founding, more than 325 TAMEST members have been inducted into the National Academies or relocated to Texas.