Considered a pioneer in infectious disease research, the UW’s Seymour Klebanoff was awarded a lifetime achievement award for distinguished research in the biomedical sciences by the American Association of Medical Colleges last month.

In 1967, Klebanoff discovered an antibacterial enzyme produced by white blood cells called myeloperoxidase. This discovery, and his research on what he calls “the mechanisms by which phagocytes … kill ingested microorganisms,” especially mechanisms involving the toxicity of forms of oxygen to microbes, continues to help scientists as they study diseases such as AIDS and cancer.

Klebanoff is now a professor emeritus at the University’s Department of Medicine with the Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease.

“I was pleased and honored to have been chosen to be the 2007 recipient of the AAMC Research Award. One of the pleasures of our business is to be recognized by one’s peers,” he said.

Klebanoff received an M.D. with honors from the University of Toronto and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from University College London, and completed various fellowships, including one at the Rockefeller Institute in New York. He remains active in the field of infectious disease research.

“He really established the field,” said Paul Ramsey, the dean of the UW’s School of Medicine. Ramsey trained with Klebanoff.

“Dr. Klebanoff is a world leader in his area of research. He pioneered the work that has led to the understanding in how white blood cells are effective in defending the body against bacterial infections,” Ramsey said.

Klebanoff has been with the University since 1962.

“His work is responsible for the University of Washington being known as one of the best places for research in infectious disease.”

Klebanoff has led two major programs at the University that train medical scientists — the Research Training Unit and the Medical Scientist Training Program — and has been a role model for many students throughout his time at the University.

“He has been an extremely effective mentor for those individuals who have trained with him over the years,” Ramsey said. “[He] represents excellence in every respect.”

Henry Rosen, an associate chair with the Department of Medicine and a professor of medicine, had Klebanoff as a mentor when he was studying in a combined research and clinical training program in infectious disease.

“He taught me to think more rigorously, write better and conduct myself in a supportive and community-minded manner. … While others have contributed substantially, Seymour stands out asa role model for me,” Rosen said.

Jay Heinecke, a professor in the Department of Medicine and a member of the Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, also had Klebanoff as a mentor. Klebanoff introduced him to basic scientific research, and “got me going on being a researcher,” he said.

“He was a mentor for a lot of people who’ve gone on to important scientific careers,” he said. “He is an old-fashioned scientist who wants to get everything right … he’s not about showmanship.”

The AAMC has recognized outstanding individuals within the medical research field with the award for distinguished research in the biomedical sciences since 1947. The award includes a prize of $5,000, and nominations can be made by a faculty or staff member of a medical school, teaching hospital or academic society.

[Reach reporter Erinn Unger at news@thedaily.washington.edu.]