America’s Nobels

It’s medical researchers’ and public health policymakers’ day in the sun. The Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation has announced the six winners of the Lasker Awards, one of the most sought-after accolades in medical science, sometimes called “America’s Nobels.” In addition to the world’s appreciation and their colleagues’ envy, the winners of each category also receive $250,000, according to a Lasker Foundation press release.

The honorees include some innovation heavyweights:

John Gurdon of Cambridge University and Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University, winners of the Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award, who are recognized for helping figure out how specialized adult cells can be made to form stem cells. Brian J. Druker of Oregon Health & Science University, Nicholas B. Lydon, formerly of Novartis, and Charles L. Sawyers of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, winners of the 2009 Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award, are recognized for their groundbreaking work on treating chronic myeloid leukemia. Thanks to this team's innovation, that particular cancer is no longer considered fatal. New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, winner of the 2009 Mary Woodard Lasker Public Service Award, is recognized for designing policies that make public health concerns a driving force for government action and that encourage philanthropy to advance public health.

“All six Laureates have played crucial roles in finding solutions to a host of vexing health problems,” said Maria Freire, President of the Lasker Foundation. “Lives everywhere may be saved and improved because of their bold innovations in public health, cell differentiation, and cancer treatments.”

 

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