Harold E. Varmus

National Cancer Institute director Harold E. Varmus (2)

Dr. Harold Varmus Director of the National Institutes of Health from 1993 until 1999 (14172851687)

Harold Eliot Varmus (born December 18, 1939) is an American oncologist and Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1989 along with J. Michael Bishop for their discovery of the cellular origin of retroviral oncogenes, a pivotal finding that significantly advanced the understanding of cancer and its origins. This work was instrumental in demonstrating that normal genes can become oncogenes when mutated, a concept that has been fundamental in cancer research.

Early Life and Education

Harold E. Varmus was born in Oceanside, New York, to a family of Jewish descent. He pursued his undergraduate education at Amherst College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature. Despite his initial interest in English, Varmus later shifted his focus towards medicine. He received his M.D. from Harvard Medical School in 1966. Following his graduation, Varmus conducted his medical training at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons and later at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he developed a keen interest in research, particularly in the field of oncology.

Career and Research

After completing his training, Varmus joined the faculty at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he began his collaboration with J. Michael Bishop that would eventually lead to their Nobel Prize-winning discovery. Their research focused on the origins of cancer and led to the groundbreaking discovery that genes present in normal cells can become oncogenes due to mutations, which can lead to cancer. This work not only expanded the understanding of cancer but also opened new avenues for research and treatment.

In addition to his research, Varmus has held several prominent positions throughout his career. He served as the Director of the National Institutes of Health from 1993 to 1999, where he was instrumental in doubling the NIH budget and promoting the importance of biomedical research. Following his tenure at NIH, Varmus became the President of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City, furthering cancer research and treatment. In 2010, he was appointed Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a position he held until 2015, focusing on cancer research and its applications in medicine.

Awards and Honors

Harold E. Varmus has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to science and medicine, including the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1989. He is also a recipient of the National Medal of Science, awarded in 2001, and has been elected to several prestigious organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Legacy and Impact

Varmus's work has had a profound impact on the understanding of cancer and its genetic basis. His discoveries have paved the way for the development of targeted cancer therapies, significantly improving the prognosis for many cancer patients. Beyond his scientific contributions, Varmus's leadership roles at NIH, NCI, and MSKCC have influenced the direction of cancer research and treatment policies in the United States and around the world.

Selected Publications

Throughout his career, Varmus has authored numerous scientific papers and articles that have contributed to the field of oncology. Some of his most notable publications include works on the genetic basis of cancer, the role of oncogenes, and the development of targeted therapies.

See Also

• Oncogene
• Cancer research
• Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
• National Institutes of Health
• National Cancer Institute