Emil C. Gotschlich

Emil C. Gotschlich (born 1935) is an American microbiologist and immunologist known for his significant contributions to the field of bacterial pathogenesis, particularly in relation to meningococcal disease.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Gotschlich was born in 1935 in Vienna, Austria. He moved to the United States in 1941, escaping the Second World War. He completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard University and later earned his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1960.

Career[edit | edit source]

After completing his medical degree, Gotschlich joined the Rockefeller University as a faculty member in 1966. He served as the head of the Laboratory of Bacterial Pathogenesis and Immunology from 1976 to 2006. His research primarily focused on the development of vaccines against meningococcal disease.

Research and Contributions[edit | edit source]

Gotschlich's most significant contribution to medical science is his work on the meningococcal vaccine. He and his team identified the capsular polysaccharides of the meningococcus, which led to the development of the first effective meningococcal vaccines. These vaccines have significantly reduced the incidence of meningococcal disease worldwide.

Awards and Honors[edit | edit source]

Gotschlich's contributions to medical science have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 1998, he received the Albert Lasker Clinical Medical Research Award for his work on meningococcal vaccines.