Dr. Avery August, a professor of immunology and chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, was awarded the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences Distinguished Alumnus Award.
The award, given annually, recognizes Dr. August '94 for his distinguished contributions to the fields of microbiology and immunology, and his dedication to mentoring a new generation of students and postdoctoral fellows. Dr. August received the award at the Alumni Award of Distinction dinner on May 27.
"I was actually very surprised, but pleased to receive the award," Dr. August said. "I didn't think that I necessarily would've been chosen, just looking at the distinguished group that has won this award in the past. I have fond memories of my time as a student at Weill Cornell and appreciate the opportunity to have been able to get my degree from the graduate school."
Since graduating from Weill Cornell, Dr. August has made several scientific and professional achievements, including discovering new strategies to prevent asthma. He and his team made seminal discoveries in understanding how key cells in the immune system are activated to spark an allergic response. They also studied the pathways those immune cells use to determine whether or not they recognize antigens — substances that cause the immune system to produce antibodies against them — and what the cells then do once antigens have been recognized.
Dr. August has served on and chaired several National Institutes of Health study section panels, and has also been a Johnson & Johnson Focused Giving Program Awardee. He has received the Scientist Development Award from the American Heart Association and an Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America Investigator Award.