Timothy J. Eberlein, M.D., of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine, one of the highest honors medical scientists in the United States can receive. Eberlein was selected in recognition of his professional achievements in medical science and health care and leadership in issues affecting public health.
The Institute of Medicine is a private organization that promotes and disseminates scientific knowledge to improve human health. It was established in 1970 as part of the National Academy of Sciences, which advises the federal government on science and technology issues.
Eberlein is Bixby Professor and chairman of the Department of Surgery, Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor and director of the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center and surgeon-in-chief at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
Born in 1951 in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, Eberlein obtained his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. He was trained in surgery at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, serving as chief resident. Later, he completed research and clinical fellowships at the National Cancer Institute.
Prior to joining Washington University in 1998, Eberlein served as the Richard E. Wilson Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School, chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology and vice chairman for research in the Department of Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
A member of Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha, Eberlein is listed in the Best Doctors in America and is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including Fellowship in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Eberlein is active in the American College of Surgeons, contributing to numerous committees, and is a member of the National Cancer Institute Advisory Board. He has served on several Institute of Medicine committees and is on the National Cancer Policy Board.
Eberlein is editor-in-chief of the prestigious Journal of the American College of Surgeons and associate editor of the Yearbook in Surgery. He serves on the editorial boards of many peer-reviewed journals including Annals of Surgical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Annals of Surgery and Surgery.
Eberlein’s research activities focus on tumor immunology and immune therapies, tumor/lymphocyte interactions and their roles in tumor rejection, identification of tumor-associated antigens and vaccine development to treat cancer.
Eberlein’s bibliography includes over three hundred titles, including original reports in peer-reviewed journals and contributions to many textbooks and monographs. His publications have focused on work in tumor immunology, molecular biology, breast cancer and gastrointestinal malignancies.
Eberlein is one of 65 members elected to the Institute of Medicine this year, raising the total active membership to 1,416. As a member, Eberlein makes a commitment to devote a significant amount of volunteer time on committees engaged in a broad range of health-policy issues.
The full-time and volunteer faculty of Washington University School of Medicine are the physicians and surgeons of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals. The School of Medicine is one of the leading medical research, teaching and patient care institutions in the nation, currently ranked second in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Through its affiliations with Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals, the School of Medicine is linked to BJC HealthCare.