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Barney S. Graham, formerly with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Vaccine Research Center at the National Institutes of Health, received the 2022 John J. Carty Award for the Advancement of Science, presented in infectious diseases.
Graham is widely recognized for his groundbreaking work on vaccine and monoclonal antibody development for COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, HIV, and other emerging viruses.
He has pioneered new strategies in structure-guided coronavirus vaccine design using nanoparticle and mRNA vaccine technologies. His recent research elucidated optimal viral glycoprotein structures that elicit superior vaccine-induced protective immunity, which has been the foundation for several successful COVID-19 vaccines.
Graham’s research determined the precise conformation of the antigen that can be presented to the immune system to induce the most protective response. This enabled scientists to take viral proteins -- such as the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein -- and hold it in the exact shape the protein assumes before fusing with a cell, which has been the foundation for developing a number of successful COVID-19 vaccines. His innovations in vaccine design are portable, providing effective countermeasures against other high-threat human viruses.
The John J. Carty Award for the Advancement of Science is awarded every two years, to recognize noteworthy and distinguished accomplishments in any field of science within the National Academy of Science’s charter. The award is presented with a medal and a $25,000 prize. The American Telephone and Telegraph Company established the award to honor the memory of their Chief Engineer, Vice President, and general telecommunications innovator, John J. Carty.
