Nomination Guidelines
The Lee C. Howley Sr. Prize for Research in Arthritis recognizes those researchers whose contributions during the previous five years have represented a significant advance in the understanding, treatment or prevention of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. It is a fitting memorial tribute to Lee C. Howley Sr., former chairman of Revco D.S., Inc., who was instrumental in the establishment of the Revco Arthritis Research Center at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Arthritis Foundation extends its gratitude to the Howley family on behalf of the estimated 70 million Americans who have arthritis for making the Lee C. Howley Sr. Prize for Research in Arthritis possible. The recognition that this program offers for excellence in arthritis research will ensure that the search will continue for cures to the more than 100 forms of arthritis and the rheumatic diseases. The Howley family's expression of commitment offers hope that one day the problems of arthritis will be solved.
The 2007 recipients are Gary Koretzky, MD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania, and David Wofsy, MD, University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Wofsy is recognized for initiating the use of so called biologic agents for the treatment of rheumatic disease and for establishing a large clinical trial network for evaluating the use of these agents in humans with lupus. Biologic agents are typically monoclonal antibodies or other molecules that are produced by cells. Their therapeutic use has revolutionized the treatment of several types of autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis. In early work Wofsy showed that inhibition of T cells improves the outcome of autoimmune disease in animal models. His more recent studies led to the development of clinical applications of a new biological agent that inhibits T cells. One such medication known as abatacept is now in use for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. Koretzky is recognized for his studies of the molecules that white blood cells use to control their function. One of these molecules is known as SLP-76. Koretzky’s studies demonstrated how signals delivered by extra-cellular molecules such as antigens can be linked to the control of protein molecules inside cells. These studies have been crucial for understanding how white blood cells are produced within the body. Moreover, they have contributed greatly to understanding how these cells malfunction when an autoimmune disease develops.
Previous recipients include Gary Firestein, MD, Chella David, PhD, David Felson, MD, MPH, Jeffrey Ravetch, MD, David V. Goeddel, PhD, Betty Diamond, MD, Peter Lipsky, MD, David S. Pisetsky, MD, PhD, Daniel Kastner, MD, PhD, Morris Reichlin, MD, Matthew H. Liang, MD, MPH, William P. Arend, MD, Arthur Weiss, MD, PhD, Michael B. Brenner, MD, Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, Barton F. Haynes, MD, K. Frank Austen, MD, Allen C. Steere, MD, Darwin J. Prockop, MD, PhD, John P. Atkinson, MD, Douglas T. Fearon, MD, Robert J. Winchester, MD, Eng M. Tan, MD, Mart Mannik, MD, Dennis A. Carson, MD, Hugh O. McDevitt, MD,C. William Castor, MD, Joan A. Steitz, PhD, Michael Lerner, MD, PhD, and John A. Hardin, MD.
Purpose: The purpose of this award is to recognize an outstanding contribution to research that represents a major advance in the understanding, treatment or prevention of arthritis and rheumatic diseases.
Sponsoring Organization: Support is provided by a generous endowment by the Howley Family.
Eligibility: An investigator is eligible for nomination if he or she has performed major research in a clinical or scientific field directly related to the rheumatic diseases in facilities located within the U.S. during the five years immediately preceding April 1, 2008.
Restrictions: The award will ordinarily be made to a single individual. In exceptional situations, the prize committee may recommend either:
- Dividing the award equally among more than one investigator from a single research group.
- Dividing the award among individuals from more than one research group who have made critical contributions to the same research area or problem.
Basis of Judgment: The awardee will be chosen primarily on the basis of the following criteria:
- Significance of the work to understanding and treatment of rheumatic disease and to initiating and sustaining the field of arthritis research.
- Originality and innovative insight on the part of the investigator into a major scientific problem.
- Intellectual and scientific independence of the investigator clear evidence that he or she is the prime intellectual and organizational force behind the particular research effort cited.
- The magnitude and quality of other career research efforts by the investigator, whether or not related to the major scientific achievement, will be given some weight in case of a close decision.
Nominations: Nominations can be made by any individual who is thoroughly familiar with the work of the nominee and must be co-sponsored by another such individual. One of these individuals should ordinarily be associated with an institution at which some of the work was performed and the other nominator from a different institution.
Deadline and Nomination Letter: The deadline for receipt of all nominating materials is September 5, 2008. See Instructions for Nominating Candidates for details.
Award Procedure: The award will be presented at the Arthritis Foundation's National Meeting, November 14, 2008, in Atlanta, Georgia.
