| 1 | Name: | Dr. Michael Sela | |
| Institution: | Weizmann Institute of Science | ||
| Year Elected: | 1995 | ||
| Class: | 2. Biological Sciences | ||
| Subdivision: | 209. Neurobiology | ||
| Residency: | International | ||
| Living? : | Deceased | ||
| Birth Date: | 1924 | ||
| Death Date: | May 27, 2022 | ||
One of the world's leading chemical immunologists, Michael Sela is the W. Garfield Weston Professor of Immunology at the Weizmann Institute of Science. During his tenure at the Institute, which began in 1963, he has served as Dean of the Faculty of Biology (1970-73), as President (1975-85) and as Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors (1985-94). Considered a premier ambassador for Israeli science, Dr. Sela has most successfully applied his understanding of proteins and synthetic amino acid polymers to the manipulation of the immune system. He has also been responsible for the design and production of the specific immunogenic molecule "COP 1," which has positive actions in counteracting the autoimmune process in multiple sclerosis. Dr. Sela's scientific contributions have been recognized internationally by major honors and prizes, including the Warburg (1968), Landsteiner (1986) and UNESCO Albert Einstein (1995) Medals, the German Order of Merit and the French Legion d'Honeur. He is a member of the Max-Planck-Society, the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and the National Academies of the U.S., France, Russia, Germany, Vatican, Romania, and Italy, and a recipient of nine honorary doctorates from the USA, Mexico, France and Israel. He received his Ph.D. from the Hebrew University in 1954. | |||