Ellen Vitetta

Ellen Vitetta is a renowned immunologist and cancer researcher known for her significant contributions to the field of medicine. She is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center where she has conducted extensive research on cancer immunotherapy and vaccine development.

Early Life and Education

Ellen Vitetta was born and raised in New York City. She completed her undergraduate studies at Hunter College and went on to earn her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Career

Vitetta began her career at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in 1972. She served as the Director of the Cancer Immunobiology Center and held the Scheryle Simmons Patigian Distinguished Chair in Cancer Immunobiology.

Her research primarily focused on the development of therapeutic antibodies and vaccines for cancer and infectious diseases. She is known for her work on immunotoxins, proteins that can specifically target cancer cells and deliver a toxin to kill them. This work has led to the development of several experimental cancer therapies.

Awards and Honors

Vitetta has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the field of medicine. She is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She has also received the American Association for Cancer Research Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cancer Research.

Personal Life

Vitetta is married to Ralph Brinster, a pioneer in the field of reproductive biology. They have two children.

See Also

• Immunology
• Cancer research
• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center