Publication Type: Media Release
Date: 9/4/2008
BALTIMORE, MD – As 2008 marks the 25th anniversary of the finding of the HIV virus, the Institute of Human Virology (IHV) of the University of Maryland School of Medicine announced today IHV’s 2008 prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award honorees. IHV is headed by Dr. Robert C. Gallo – co-discoverer of the HIV virus and developer of the first HIV blood test. IHV is one of the nation’s leaders in combining the disciplines of basic research, epidemiology and clinical research to find HIV diagnostics, therapies and a vaccine to end HIV infection and the AIDS pandemic.
In an unprecedented decision, the Institute’s faculty unanimously voted to bestow Lifetime Achievement Awards for Public Service to two outstanding individuals. Mr. John D. Evans, a co-founder of C-SPAN and an internationally recognized expert in the cable and telecommunications industry and The Honorable Robert K. Gray, a Cabinet member in the Eisenhower Administration, founder of Gray and Company and former worldwide Chairman of Hill & Knowlton. Additionally, IHV will present the IHV Lifetime Achievement Award for Scientific Contributions to Dr. Isaac P. Witz a pioneer cancer researcher of Tel Aviv University. The Awards will be presented during IHV’s 11th Annual International Gala Awards Banquet Friday, September 12, 2008 at Harborplace Renaissance Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to recognize the life-long commitments of John Evans, Bob Gray and Isaac Witz for their uniquely important contributions to the mission of the Institute in advancing the human condition,” said Dr. Gallo, Director and Professor of IHV. “This year’s recipients will follow in the grand footsteps of previous honorees including IHV Board of Advisor members Stewart Greenebaum and Martin Delaney and many world-renowned scientists.”
“I am truly humbled to be recognized for my work in the fight for an HIV vaccine and cure, but the true honor goes to the hundreds of dedicated men and women I have had the privilege of working and associating with who are in the science labs, clinics and our global communities fighting with all of us to end this pandemic,” said Mr. John Evans, Chairman and CEO of Evans Telecommunication Company. “Additionally, Bob Gallo has been my friend, teacher, and mentor for almost 25 years and I am honored to receive this award from him and the faculty of IHV.”
“I am flattered to be in the same galaxy as Bob Gallo,” said The Honorable Robert Gray Chairman and President of Gray and Company II. “His is the lifetime of achievement.”
“I am delighted that the scientific endeavors to prove that the microenvironment is a pivotal determinant of carcinogenesi and of metastatic spread is worthy of an award,” said Professor Isaac Witz of Tel Aviv University. “I am also honored and proud to belong to the highly prestigious group of IHV Life Time Achievement Honorees, and I hereby express my sincere gratitude to the faculty members of IHV for bestowing this great honor upon me. I must note, it is symbolic that IHV’s 11th Annual Meeting starts on September 11 – a clear manifestation that the human spirit, integrity and achievements are victorious.”
Dr. George Klein, a pioneer tumor cell biologist of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden will make a few remarks on behalf of Dr. Isaac Witz. Dr. William Haseltine, President of The William A. Haseltine Foundation for Medical Sciences and the Arts, will also speak at the Gala Awards Banquet about “HIV Past and Present.”
The Institute of Human Virology is the first center in the United States -- perhaps the world -- to combine the disciplines of basic research, epidemiology and clinical research in a concerted effort to speed the discovery of diagnostics and therapeutics for a wide variety of chronic and deadly viral and immune disorders - most notably the HIV virus that causes AIDS.
Formed in 1996 as a partnership between the State of Maryland, the City of Baltimore, the University System of Maryland and the University of Maryland Medical System, IHV is an institute of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and is home to some of the most globally-recognized and world-renowned experts in all of virology.