The 2010 American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Maurice Hilleman/Merck Award is presented to Samuel L. Katz, M.D., Wilburt C. Davison Professor Emeritus, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, for his 50 years of work on vaccine discovery and development. This award, established in the memory of Maurice Hilleman, honors major contributions to pathogenesis, vaccine discovery, vaccine development, and/or control of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Katz earned his medical degree from Harvard University and was a Research Fellow in Pediatrics at Children's Hospital Medical Center, Boston, under John F. Enders. While working with Enders, Katz developed the attenuated measles virus and developed it into the live vaccine used today worldwide. He has also been involved in vaccine development studies related to vaccinia, polio, rubella, influenza, pertussis, HIV, and others.
Long recognized as a leading authority on vaccine research and development, Katz has worked with CDC, NIH, IOM, and WHO in planning and organizing efforts for vaccine development and disease prevention throughout the world. He chaired the Committee on Infectious Diseases for the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Committee on Issues and Priorities for New Vaccine Development, Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences, the National Research Council Committee on Development of a Polio Antiviral and its Potential Role in Global Poliomyelitis Eradication, and countless other committees. He also chaired the Department of Pediatrics at Duke from 1968 to 1990.
The Maurice Hilleman/Merck Award will be presented during the 110th General Meeting of the ASM, May 23-27, 2010 in San Diego, CA. ASM is the world's oldest and largest life science organization and has more than 43,000 members worldwide. ASM's mission is to advance the microbiological sciences and promote the use of scientific knowledge for improved health and economic and environmental well-being.