Oakland, California (January 5, 2026) — The National Laboratory for Education Transformation (NLET), a nonprofit research and development organization advancing strategic innovation in science, education, and health, is pleased to announce the appointment of A. Phillip West, Ph.D. to its Board of Directors. Dr. West brings distinguished expertise in mitochondrial biology, immunology, and translational research, strengthening NLET’s leadership and its global impact in the rapidly evolving field of mitochondrial science.
“We welcome Dr. West to the NLET board to help shape strategic direction and growth initiatives, particularly for NLET’s mitochondrial research and collaboration platforms, including MitoWorld™ and MITOS.Global,” says NLET and MitoWorld founder Gordon Freedman. “His leadership will be pivotal as the organization supports mitochondrial science as a cornerstone of modern medicine and health research.”
Dr. West is an Associate Professor and principal investigator at The Jackson Laboratory (JAX). His research explores how mitochondria regulate innate immune and inflammatory responses in health and disease. This has significantly advanced understanding of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) signaling and its influence on disease susceptibility and progression, including inflammatory heart failure, cancer, and rare mitochondrial diseases. (JAX)
As a member of the NLET board, Dr. West will support strategic efforts to grow NLET’s biomedical informatics and collaboration initiatives. NLET’s MitoWorld™ platform serves as a global web hub connecting researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates to accelerate research and clinical collaboration in mitochondrial medicine. This platform disseminates cutting-edge research, supports patient communities, and fosters interdisciplinary science in mitochondrial health and disease. (nlet.org)
Complementing this, MITOS.Global is a networked institute devoted to comprehensively understanding mitochondrial biology across health, aging, and disease, integrating basic science with AI-driven informatics and global research collaboration to forge new frontiers in mitochondrial science. (MITOS)
“We are honored to welcome Dr. Phillip West to the NLET Board,” said Board Chair David Andrews. “His deep scientific expertise and international research stature will enhance our ability to convene and empower the global mitochondrial research community. Together, we will accelerate discoveries, build collaborative research platforms, and support the translation of mitochondrial science into clinical and societal solutions.”
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About National Laboratory for Education Transformation (NLET)
The National Laboratory for Education Transformation (www.NLET.org) is a nonprofit dedicated to innovative research and transformative strategies in education, science, and health. NLET convenes experts and stakeholders across domains to challenge traditional paradigms and advance interdisciplinary research and practice. As part of its mission, NLET fosters initiatives connecting global research communities, with a special focus on emerging scientific priorities, including mitochondrial science and biomedical informatics.
Media Contact: Gordon Freedman, gordon.freedman@nlet.org
