| 1 | Name: | Dr. Edwin D. Kilbourne | |
| Institution: | New York Medical College | ||
| Year Elected: | 1994 | ||
| Class: | 2. Biological Sciences | ||
| Subdivision: | 205. Microbiology | ||
| Residency: | Resident | ||
| Living? : | Deceased | ||
| Birth Date: | 1920 | ||
| Death Date: | February 21, 2011 | ||
Edwin Dennis Kilbourne spent his professional lifetime in the study of infectious diseases, with particular reference to virus infections. His early studies of coxsackieviruses and herpes simplex preceded intensive study of influenza in all of its manifestations. His primary contributions have been to the understanding of influenza virus structure and genetics and the practical application of these studies to the development of influenza vaccines and to the understanding of the molecular epidemiology and pathogenesis of influenza. His studies of influenza virus genetics resulted in the first genetically engineered vaccine of any kind for the prevention of human disease. A new approach to influenza immunization has received 2 United States Patents. Following his graduation from Cornell University Medical College in 1944, and an internship and residency in medicine at the New York Hospital, he served two years in the Army of the United States. After three years at the Rockefeller Institute, he served successively as Associate Professor of Medicine at Tulane University, as Professor of Public Health at Cornell University Medical College, and as founding Chairman of the Department of Microbiology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, at which he was awarded the rank of Distinguished Service Professor. He was Emeritus Professor at New York Medical College. He was a member of the Association of American Physicians and the National Academy of Sciences and was elected to membership in the American Philosophical Society in 1994. He was the recipient of the Borden Award of the Association of American Medical Colleges for Outstanding Research in Medical Sciences and of an honorary degree from Rockefeller University in addition to other honors and lectureships. As an avocation, Dr. Kilbourne published light verse and essays and articles for the general public on various aspects of biological science. Edwin Kilbourne died on February 21, 2011, at the age of 90, in Madison, Connecticut. | |||