Harvey J. Alter
Early Life and Education
Harvey James Alter was born on September 12, 1935, in New York City, USA. He attended the University of Rochester in New York, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956. He then went on to earn his medical degree from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1960.
Alter completed his residency in internal medicine at Strong Memorial Hospital and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He then moved to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland in 1961, where he began his long and distinguished career in medical research.
Career and Research
In 1969, Alter was appointed as the Chief of the Infectious Disease Section and Associate Director of Research of the Department of Transfusion Medicine at the NIH Clinical Center. His research primarily focused on the occurrence and spread of viral diseases, particularly those affecting the liver.
Alter's most significant contribution to medical science was his work on hepatitis. He was instrumental in the discovery of the hepatitis C virus, a major cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. His research also led to the development of tests to detect and prevent the spread of hepatitis B and C in blood supplies, significantly reducing the incidence of post-transfusion hepatitis.
Achievements and Awards
Over the course of his career, Alter has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to medical science. In 2000, he was awarded the Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research, one of the most prestigious awards in the field of medicine. In 2002, he received the Prince Mahidol Award from the King of Thailand for his outstanding contributions to the field of medicine.
In 2020, Alter was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine along with Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice for their discovery of Hepatitis C virus. This recognition marked the pinnacle of his career, highlighting the significant impact of his research on global health.
Personal Life
Alter is married and has two children. He is known for his humility and dedication to his work. Despite his numerous achievements, he has always maintained a low profile, preferring to focus on his research rather than personal accolades.