Edwin D. Kilbourne

Who was Edwin D. Kilbourne?

Edwin Dennis Kilbourne was an American research scientist. Born in Buffalo, New York, he received his AB and MD degrees from Cornell University. After completion of service in the Medical Corps of the Army of the United States at the end of World War II, he trained in virus research at The Rockefeller Institute. Subsequently, he has taught successively on the faculties of four medical schools: Tulane, Cornell, Mount Sinai, and New York Medical College..

An internationally recognized research scientist who has made significant contributions to the study and prevention of influenza and other viral diseases, he developed the first genetically engineered vaccine of any kind more than 30 years ago. This method became the standard for optimization of the virus used to produce the influenza vaccines that many of us receive on a yearly basis.

Dr Kilbourne is the recipient of numerous honors and awards. He received the National Institutes of Health Career award in 1961 and was given the NIH's Dyer award in 1973. In 1977 he was honored by an invitation to give New York City's Harvey Lecture. In 1983 he received the New York Academy of Medicine Award.