Beaumont Prize in Gastroenterology
Warren Strober, MD
National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
The 2009 AGA William Beaumont Prize in Gastroenterology is presented to Warren Strober, MD, chief, Section on Mucosal Immunity, Laboratory of Host Defenses, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at NIH, Bethesda, MD. The William Beaumont Prize in Gastroenterology recognizes an individual who has made a major contribution (a single accomplishment or series of accomplishments) that has significantly advanced gastroenterological basic or clinical research.
Dr. Strober is recognized as one of the most productive, innovative and insightful scientists in the field of mucosal immunology and one whose research has had a profound influence on the understanding of experimental and human gastrointestinal diseases. He has done pivotal studies of the molecular and cellular basis of IgA production in the gastrointestinal tract and has conducted key studies elucidating the function of regulatory T cells in the mucosal response. Perhaps most importantly, he has made major contributions to the understanding of the nature of inflammatory bowel diseases, both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, including research that has elucidated the genetic basis of this disease, which has resulted in new therapeutic options. Finally, Dr. Strober has trained and mentored a significant number of physician/scientists, many of whom are leading GI divisions or departments in the U.S. and around the world.
In 1981, Dr. Strober received the AGA Distinguished Achievement Award for his innovative contributions to our understanding of the immune-physiology of the gastrointestinal mucosa. In 1997, he received the highest service award of the U.S. Public Health Service, the Distinguished Service Medal. In 2000, he received the Nelson Prize from the University of California at Davis. In 2007, Dr. Strober received the Outstanding Mentor Award from his present and former fellows in recognition of his contribution to their training and careers and was awarded the Doctor of Medicine, Honoris Causa, by the Charité Hospital and Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany. In 2008, Dr. Strober received an NIH Merit Award for extraordinary progress in elucidating the fundamental mechanisms underlying inflammatory bowel disease and the development of innovative therapies for these diseases. The same year, he received the Ismar Boas Medal from the German Society of Digestive Diseases and Metabolic Disease in recognition of his outstanding scientific achievements in immunology, especially translational research in intestinal inflammatory diseases, and his continued support of international exchanges and training of young researchers. He also received the first Scientific Achievement Award for Basic Science granted by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation for his role as a major contributor in many areas of basic research and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in 2008.
Dr. Strober received his medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine, New York, in 1962, and was an intern and resident at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York. He has been serving NIH since 1964, when he began in the Metabolism Branch of the National Cancer Institute. He has been with NIAID since 1982 and has served as Deputy Scientific Director of the Division of Intramural Research. He serves as the chair of the advisory board of the Harvard Digestive Disease Center and on the executive advisory board and as an editor of the journal, Mucosal Immunology, which is the standard textbook in this area. From 2001- 2004, he served as president of the Mucosal Immunity Society.
