October 1, 2007

Leading American HIV Doc Honored for Public Service

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has received the Mary Woodard Lasker public service award for his continued dedication to AIDS research.

The Washington Post profiled Fauci on Friday, the day he received the $150,000 award. Earlier this year, the Association of American Physicians presented him with the Kober Medal, while President Bush awarded him the National Medal of Science in July.

Fauci, 66, has led the fight against AIDS through four presidential administrations—beginning his work with the disease before it had a name—and has played an instrumental role in uncovering how the disease works. In the late ’90s, he collaborated with activist group ACT UP, encouraging members to become part of several NIH boards and committees.

Fauci shows no signs of letting up or resting on his laurels. He gave an appropriately titled speech, “Much Accomplished, Much Left to Do,” at the International AIDS conference in Sydney this past summer.