Since 1959, the Canada Gairdner Awards recognize and reward the achievements of medical researchers whose work contributes significantly to improving the quality of human life. Among the world’s most esteemed medical research prizes, the awards distinguish Canada as a leader in science and provide a $100,000 prize to each scientist for their work.

Four U.S. scientists are among this year’s winners:

• Harvey J. Alter, MD and Daniel W. Bradley, PhD received the Canada Gairdner International Award for their contributions to the discovery and isolation of the hepatitis C virus. Dr. Alter is a senior investigator and Chief Infectious Diseases Section and associate director for research, Department of Transfusion Medicine at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Bradley is a consultant for infectious diseases viral hepatitis at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Stephen Joseph Elledge, PhD, received the Canada Gairdner International Award for his work in DNA repair. Dr. Elledge is a Gregor Mendel Professor of Genetics and Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Continue reading →