Rewarding a peer in basic science research

A scientist who specializes in the study of sepsis and inflammation, Lyle L. Moldawer, Ph.D., has won the 2004 College of Medicine Basic Science Research Award.

Moldawer, a professor of surgery in the laboratory of inflammation biology and surgical science, is best known for his work studying sepsis and septic shock, including the use of gene therapy to treat the life-threatening infection. Sepsis occurs when the body’s infection-fighting white blood cells produce an excess amount of hormone-like factors that can trigger a potentially fatal organ inflammation. It is responsible for about 60 percent of all deaths in intensive care units.

“This award is especially meaningful to me because it comes from my peers,” Moldawer said. “I appreciate the high quality of basic research that the College of Medicine performs, and as such, just to be considered for this award is an honor, to receive the award is a particularly special honor. I am very grateful to the dean and the faculty review committee.”

Moldawer has researched a wide range of topics in inflammation, including cancer, and developing a technique to slow growth of inoperable liver tumors in cancer patients using heat rather than cold. In 1999, Moldawer received a 10-year, $2.5 million MERIT Award from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences for his research on sepsis.

Moldawer is one of only a small number of academicians with a Doctor of Philosophy who hold the academic rank of full professor in a department of surgery.

Faculty members of the College of Medicine present this award to recognize a peer who has shown to have consistently conducted outstanding basic research.