Stanley J. Korsmeyer

Korsmeyer Washington University

Stanley J. Korsmeyer

Stanley J. Korsmeyer was an American oncologist and molecular biologist known for his groundbreaking research in the field of cancer biology. He was born on January 24, 1950, in St. Louis, Missouri, and passed away on August 31, 2005.

Early Life and Education

Korsmeyer obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 1972. He then went on to earn his M.D. from Washington University School of Medicine in 1976. Following his medical studies, he completed his residency in internal medicine at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

Career

Korsmeyer's research focused on the molecular mechanisms that regulate cell death, particularly in the context of cancer. He made significant contributions to the understanding of how defects in cell death pathways contribute to the development and progression of cancer.

One of his most notable discoveries was the identification of the Bcl-2 protein, which plays a critical role in regulating apoptosis, or programmed cell death. His work laid the foundation for the development of targeted cancer therapies that aim to restore the normal process of cell death in cancer cells.

Throughout his career, Korsmeyer published numerous influential papers in top scientific journals and received several awards for his research contributions.

Legacy

Stanley J. Korsmeyer's work continues to have a lasting impact on the field of cancer biology. His research laid the groundwork for the development of novel cancer treatments that target specific molecular pathways involved in cell death.

Awards and Honors

- Member of the National Academy of Sciences - Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences - Recipient of the Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award