Andy Shih

Andy Shih, Ph.D., joined Autism Speaks in 2006, after its merger with the National Alliance for Autism Research where he served as chief science officer. Dr. Shih has held various leadership roles in the organization throughout his tenure including senior vice president of public health and inclusion. In his current role of chief science officer, Mr. Shih is responsible for the science portfolio, including grantmaking, the MSSNG genomic research project and the Autism Care Network. Since joining Autism Speaks, Dr. Shih has led important advancements toward the organization’s mission, including the development of several large international research consortia that delivered high impact scientific outcomes for the community. He was central to the 2008 passage of the World Autism Awareness Day resolution at the United Nations and subsequently led the development of the Global Autism Public Health (GAPH) initiative that provides technical support to country governments to enhance autism awareness, advocacy, research and services worldwide. Under Dr. Shih’s leadership, Autism Speaks supports ministries, government agencies and leading nongovernmental organizations in more than 70 countries to deliver better outcomes and quality of life for tens of millions of individuals and families. With emphasis on human rights, science-driven advocacy and policymaking, and the development and implementation of innovative tools and programs, the team aims to help address knowledge and health disparities for individuals and families affected by autism and developmental disabilities worldwide, including underserved communities in the U.S. and other high-income countries. Dr. Shih holds a Ph.D. in molecular cell biology from New York University School of Medicine. His research background includes published studies in gene identification and characterization, virus-cell interaction and cell-cycle regulation. He was instrumental in the cloning of a family of small GTPases involved in cell-cycle control and nuclear transport and he holds three patents on nucleic acids-based diagnostics and therapeutics.