Howard E. Gendelman M.D., has been named the David T. Purtilo
Distinguished Professor of Pathology and Microbiology at the
University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Gendelman serves as
director of the Center for Neurovirology and Neurodegenerative
Diseases. He also is a professor of pathology and microbiology,
internal medicine and psychiatry.
Dr. Gendelman graduated with honors in Russian studies and
natural sciences from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa.,
before earning his medical degree from Pennsylvania State
University in Hershey, Pa., in 1979. He completed his residency
in internal medicine at the Montefiore Hospital Center at the
Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, N.Y., in 1982, and
his fellowship in neurology at the Johns Hopkins University
Hospital in Baltimore.
He joined UNMC in 1993 after occupying positions at Johns
Hopkins University, the National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Disease in Bethesda, Md., and the Walter Reed Army
Institute of Research in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Gendelman has authored more than 140 publications and
edited a major textbook on the neurology of AIDS. He is a
distinguished scholar known for contributions to the biology and
treatment of AIDS associated brain diseases. He serves on
numerous editorial boards including the Journal of the American
Medical Association, the Scientific Advisory Committee for the
American Foundation for AIDS Research and on other national and
international scientific committees. He is the associate editor
of the Journal of Neurovirology and the past editor of the
Journal of Leukocyte Biology.
Dr. Gendelman’s other honors include the Henry L. Moses
Award in Basic Science, the Leo M. Davidoff Society Award for
research and outstanding teaching achievement from the Albert
Einstein College of Medicine, and the Carter-Wallace Fellow for
Distinction in AIDS Research.
Dr. Gendelman has brought in more than $11 million in research
grants to UNMC during the past three years and currently brings
in more research dollars from the National Institutes of Health
than any other UNMC investigator.
"Dr. Purtilo was known for his compassion toward those in
need, and Dr. Gendelman is likewise a very caring individual. His
boundless energy, infectious enthusiasm, brilliant research and
vision for neuroscience at UNMC honor the vision and memory of
Dr. Purtilo," said Samuel M. Cohen, M.D., Ph.D., chairman
and professor of pathology and microbiology. "We are pleased
to honor him with this important position."
The David T. Purtilo Distinguished Professorship is awarded to
an outstanding UNMC leader whose work ethic, vision and research
mirrors that of Dr. Purtilo’s, Dr. Cohen said.
Dr. Purtilo joined UNMC in 1981 as professor and chairman of
pathology and microbiology. He is best known for discovering
Duncan’s Disease, a rare genetic disease which was later
named X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP). Dr. Purtilo
died suddenly of a stroke in 1992 at the age of 53 while in
Naples, Fla., where he had made a presentation at the American
Association for Cancer Research conference.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the
state. Through its commitment to research, education and patient
care, UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading
centers for cancer research and treatment and solid organ
transplantation. More than $25 million in research grants and
contracts are awarded to UNMC scientists annually. In addition,
UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for training more
health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other
institution.