Fall 2001

Einhorn Honored with Prestigious Memberships

The achievements of Lawrence Einhorn, MD, distinguished professor at IU, have been recognized by his peers in many ways, but none more prestigious than his election in May to membership in the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and in the American Philosophical Society.

Dr. Einhorn is the only current faculty member in the School of Medicine to hold NAS membership, although Ting-Kai Li, MD, distinguished professor and professor of medicine and of biochemistry and of molecular biology; Morris Green, MD, the Perry W. Lesh Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics; and Clement J. McDonald, MD, distinguished professor and co-director of Regenstrief Institute, are members of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences.

The American Philosophical Society was founded by Benjamin Franklin and is the oldest learned society in the U.S. Previous members include Thomas Jefferson and other American presidents, Albert Einstein and other distinguished scientists. Membership in the society is bestowed on eminent scholars in a variety of disciplines to promote scholarly research in the sciences and humanities.

Election to membership in NAS is considered one of the highest honors accorded a U.S. scientist or engineer. The seventy-two new members and fifteen foreign associates from ten countries who were elected at this year's annual meeting bring the total number of active members to 1,874. NAS was established in 1863 by Congress and signed into law by Abraham Lincoln. The legislation calls for the academy to act as an official adviser to the federal government in any matter of science or technology.

Election to the academy recognizes the member's distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. A medical oncologist, Dr. Einhorn has received international recognition for his role in the development of a chemotherapy regimen for disseminated testis cancer, the most common cancer in young men. His research led to a marked increase in the cure rate for what had previously been an aggressive fatal disease. Dr. Einhorn also is an internationally recognized authority on other types of urologic cancer, lung cancer and certain other tumors.

Dr. Einhorn has been in the news frequently in recent years because of his role in the treatment of Olympic cyclist and testis cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, who just won his third Tour de France.