Tom Hughes is the Head, NIBR Basel at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) and Head of Diabetes & Metabolism Research, a.i.   In this dual role, Tom oversees NIBR’s Basel-based Disease Areas and Platforms and directs the drug discovery research teams specializing in type 2 diabetes and metabolic disorders at NIBR’s Cambridge, Massachusetts site.
 
Prior to his current position, Tom was Global Head of Diabetes & Metabolism Research.  Tom has also held several senior positions at Novartis including Executive Director of Pharmacology/Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases Research for Novartis Research in Summit, NJ.  From 1995 until 2002, he was responsible for the conception and leadership of the dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP4) inhibitor program within Novartis Research. In recognition of his leadership of the DPP4 program, Tom received the Novartis Distinguished Scientist Award in 2000.
 
In the course of his career, he has participated in a number of drug discovery efforts in the metabolic and cardiovascular diseases area, focusing on glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism and the control of blood clotting. As part of his work in the Diabetes & Metabolism area, Tom has established a broad drug discovery program in the control of fat oxidation, mitochondrial function, cellular aging, and the genetics of type 2 diabetes.  He joined Novartis (then Sandoz Pharmaceuticals) as a postdoctoral fellow in 1987. 
 
Tom received his B.A. in Biology from Franklin and Marshall College, in Lancaster, PA, and his M.S. in Zoology from Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg, VA.  He received his Ph.D. in Nutrition from Tufts University in Medford, MA. He completed his Graduate Training at The Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts.
 
In addition to his work at Novartis, Tom serves on the Board of Overseers of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.