National Academy of Sciences Member Joins UA Faculty

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – National Academy of Sciences member and a University of Alabama alumnus, Dr. Michael B.A. Oldstone, has joined the faculty of The University of Alabama in its College of Arts and Sciences.

Oldstone, one of the world’s leading experts on viral-immunobiology, has accepted an appointment as a professor and resident scholar in the department of biological sciences starting in the 2009-2010 academic year.

“Dr. Oldstone is a true pioneer in his field, and the College is honored to have him join our faculty. The knowledge and expertise he will share with faculty and students of the University will be invaluable,” said Dr. Robert Olin, dean of UA’s College of Arts and Sciences. “We are proud that this alumnus of the College is coming back to the Capstone to share the fruits of his successful career in science with others.”

In May 2008, Oldstone was one of 72 people to be elected to the National Academy of Sciences — one of the most prestigious honor societies in the world — for his work in establishing “the most fundamental principle of viral immunopathology,” according to the National Academy of Sciences.

As a professor, Oldstone will be in residence on the UA campus annually for two weeks each semester to conduct classes and consult with faculty on their research. After graduating in 1954 with a degree in biology from UA, Oldstone entered the combined M.D.-Ph.D. program through The University of Maryland and the McCollum-Pratt Institute of Johns Hopkins University, where he studied biochemistry and microbiology.

Following a medical and neurology residency at University Hospital in Baltimore, he did postgraduate training at the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation (now the Scripps Research Institute) in the department of experimental pathology. There he worked in the laboratory of Frank Dixon, one of the giants in immunology, and later with Karl Habel, one of the giants in virology.

In 1966 he became a faculty member at the Scripps Research Institute, the country’s largest private, nonprofit research organizations engaged in basic biomedical science. He is currently a professor and head of the viral-immunobiology laboratory in the department of immunology and microbial science at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, Calif.

While at Scripps, Oldstone has focused primarily on negative-stranded RNA viruses, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), and measles virus, as well as infectious folding protein (prion) disease. His studies changed the once-accepted dogma that a virus that persists in the body causes tolerance of the immune system; he extended these findings to human infections. Oldstone defined both LCMV and measles virus as infections that lead to a suppression of the immune system. His research has proven instrumental in the understanding of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), various types of hepatitis virus, and other human persistent virus infections.

“Michael is in the top tenth of 1 percent of people in neurology and viral biology worldwide,” said Thomas Edgington, M.D. and professor in the department of immunology at Scripps. “The depth of his knowledge is greater than most. And although he is very well recognized internationally, he does not tout his own honors or push his fame. He is a quiet powerhouse.”

Oldstone is also the author of the book “Viruses, Plagues, and History,” which addresses a number of global events precipitated by viruses and mortal illnesses. The book was featured in the New York Times Sunday book section and has been translated into six different languages.

Oldstone is the recipient of a number of national and international awards including Pioneer in NeuroVirology Award, International Society for NeuroVirology, 2003; R.E. Dyer Lectureship and Directors Award from the National Institutes of Health for his contributions in viral pathogenesis, 2000; J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine (host-virus interactions), 1997; Member, National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine, 1996; Biomedical Science Award, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden for contributions in virus/autoimmune diseases, 1994; and the Rous-Whipple Award for contributions in experimental pathology, 1993; the Abraham Flexner Award for contributions in biomedical research, 1988; and the Cotzias Award for contributions in research of the central nervous system, 1986.

The College of Arts and Sciences is the University’s largest division and the largest liberal arts college in the state. Students from the College have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships and memberships on the USA Today Academic All-American Teams.