Honoring an Einstein Luminary
On December 11, 2017, Einstein held its fifth annual Dr. Stanley G. Nathenson Memorial Lecture, to honor the legacy of the much beloved and renowned immunologist who passed away in 2012 at the age of 79.
(From left) Dr. Allen M. Spiegel, John Nathenson, Matty Scharff, M.D., Susan Nathenson, Dr. Hans-Georg Rammensee, and Matthew Nathenson at the Stanley G. Nathenson Memorial Symposium.
Dr. Nathenson, a professor of cell biology and of microbiology & immunology, made numerous contributions to the field, particularly involving his research regarding the basis for immunological rejection of transplanted tissues and organs.
Members of Einstein’s research community filled Robbins Auditorium where Dr. Nathenson’s closest colleagues highlighted the worldwide impact of his work within the immunology field. Dr. Nathenson’s wife Susan and their two sons, John and Matthew, were also in attendance.
To begin, Dr. Margaret Kielian, professor of cell biology, recalled Dr. Nathenson’s major contributions in understanding transplantation antigens at the molecular level. She also discussed his influence as a mentor to numerous students and postdocs, whose own accomplishments would make him proud.
She noted, “The department of cell biology really benefited from our interactions with Stan. He could be counted on to bring new methods and his rigorous protein biochemistry background to our biweekly faculty discussions. Stan was dogged in his determination to understand the research of other faculty and was famous for asking questions to satisfy his curiosity, a refreshing if sometimes time-consuming quality that is definitely missed.”
Dr. Laura Santambrogio, professor of pathology, of microbiology & immunology, introduced this year’s distinguished lecturer, Dr. Hans-Georg Rammensee. In doing so, she recalled first hearing about Dr. Nathenson’s research while still a student and how “everybody was excited about the first analysis of peptides eluted from MHC I proteins.” She added, “He really is part of the history of immunology.”
Dr. Rammensee, chair of immunology at the University of Tübingen, in Germany, offered the event’s keynote presentation, titled “Impact of the Immunogenic Landscape of Cancers on Immunotherapy.” He also commented on the importance of Dr. Nathenson’s research in connection to the current focus on transplantation immunology research within his department.
A reception followed the memorial lecture, where students and faculty shared further memories and anecdotes of Dr. Nathenson.
Posted on: Thursday, June 14, 2018