Edgar Engleman '71: Gold Medalist for Outstanding Achievements in Medical Research

Edgar Engleman '71 was presented with the Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievements in Medical Research at the VP&S Alumni Reunion on May 14, 2022, in New York City.

Dr. Engleman, a professor of pathology and medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, has spent 40 years discovering ways to manipulate the immune system for the treatment and, hopefully, the cure of life-threatening diseases. Early in his career, he generated monoclonal antibodies to human T-lymphocytes, which led to the design of the first AIDS screening test for blood donors. He later developed methods for purifying, loading, and activating human dendritic cells and evaluated their ability to induce immunity in cancer patients. This led to the first FDA-approved vaccine for the treatment of cancer. More recently, he discovered a way to activate immune cells in tumors that has entered clinical trials in a range of cancers. In addition to discovering approaches to boost immunity, Dr. Engleman helped create a therapy that safely reduces excessive or undesirable immunity. Currently, this therapy is being used to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs, but it has the potential to be applied broadly to autoinflammatory diseases.

This award honors alumni who have made outstanding achievements in medical research by advancing their field and creating tangible impacts on patient care. Learn more about the VP&S Alumni Association's annual awards program and submit a nomination anytime for yourself or a fellow alum.