Lasker award

Lasker Award

The Lasker Award is an annual award given by the Lasker Foundation to recognize the contributions of scientists, clinicians, and public servants who have made significant advancements in the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of human disease. The award is often referred to as "America's Nobel Prize" due to its reputation for identifying future winners of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

History

The Lasker Award was established in 1945 by Albert Lasker and his wife Mary Lasker, who were both passionate advocates for medical research. The award was created to honor and promote the essential and often under-recognized role of biomedical research in improving human health.

Categories

The Lasker Award is presented in three categories:

1. The Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award is given to those who have made significant contributions to the clinical practice of medicine.
2. The Lasker-Basic Medical Research Award is given to scientists whose fundamental investigations have provided techniques, information, or concepts contributing to the elimination of major causes of disability and death.
3. The Lasker-Koshland Special Achievement Award in Medical Science is given to individuals with a long-term contribution to the understanding of biology and medicine.

Selection Process

The recipients of the Lasker Awards are selected by a panel of scientists from various fields, including cell biology, genetics, immunology, and neuroscience. The selection process is rigorous and confidential, ensuring that only the most deserving individuals receive this prestigious award.

Notable Recipients

Over the years, many Lasker laureates have gone on to receive the Nobel Prize. Notable recipients of the Lasker Award include James Watson and Francis Crick, who were recognized for their discovery of the structure of DNA, and Albert Sabin, who developed the oral polio vaccine.

Impact

The Lasker Awards have had a significant impact on the field of medicine and have helped to highlight the importance of medical research in improving human health. The awards have also played a crucial role in promoting public understanding of science and medicine.