Introduction
MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES IN IMMUNODIAGNOSIS AND IMMUNOTHERAPY Volume 33, Number 3, 2014 ª Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089/mab.2014.kop.intro
Hilary Koprowski, MD December 5, 1916–April 11, 2013
D
r. Hilary Koprowski had a vision that extended beyond developing a world-class research institution. He was also able to see the beauty of art and science. An inkling of the breadth of his interests has been articulated in several memorials written in commemoration of his life. Those that worked with Hilary, or whose studies were influenced by him, wrote the contributions in this Festschrift issue dedicated to Hilary Koprowski, MD. Within many of these articles are reminiscences of Hilary and his contribution to the respective areas under reflection or his role in establishing various opportunities for particular studies. So numerous were his scientific friends throughout the world who could have contributed to this issue that initial invitations were limited to select co-workers distributed across many fields as a representation of Hilary’s research interests and the focus of The Wistar Institute that he built over a period of nearly 35 years. He saw no boundaries as he traveled the world in search of answers to many of the pressing questions of the day that were of interest, or in finding the scientific talent to recruit to join The Wistar Institute and facilitate its growth and development. He was not bound to tradition and was quick to grasp the promise of new technologies. Yet, he believed that progress comes through attention to fundamentals. His influence and leadership throughout the fields of immunology, vaccinology, and biotechnology is well established. Authors of the articles in this issue feel honored to dedicate this work in memory of Hilary, his inspiring leadership, and his vigorous role in advancing science. It is fitting that the papers in this memorial treat a wide variety of subjects; they are dedicated to a scientist whose interests were broad and who himself made significant research contributions to many of these subject areas. Hilary faithfully practiced what Benjamin Franklin had advised: ‘‘He who would master nature must obey her laws. He must learn her laws and then obey them.’’ In this brief Introduction, it is not possible to capture in words the vigor and influence of a man like Hilary Koprowski. In personality, he was warm, charming, and dynamic. He liked people. In his devotion to science, he was untiring in his efforts and uncompromising in pursuit of facts and fundamentals. He gave himself wholeheartedly to the advancement of science through his own studies, through the
Hilary Koprowski, MD organization of seminars and symposia, through conferences and committees, nationally and internationally. Those who knew and understood him remember his fine qualities and his contributions will always be reflected in the pages of science history, and the path he forged for some who owe him a debt of gratitude.
153
—Zenon Steplewski, MD, PhD Editor-in-Chief —Thomas Kieber-Emmons, PhD Guest Editor
MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES IN IMMUNODIAGNOSIS AND IMMUNOTHERAPY Volume 33, Number 3, 2014 ª Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089/mab.2014.kop.intro
Hilary Koprowski, MD December 5, 1916–April 11, 2013
D
r. Hilary Koprowski had a vision that extended beyond developing a world-class research institution. He was also able to see the beauty of art and science. An inkling of the breadth of his interests has been articulated in several memorials written in commemoration of his life. Those that worked with Hilary, or whose studies were influenced by him, wrote the contributions in this Festschrift issue dedicated to Hilary Koprowski, MD. Within many of these articles are reminiscences of Hilary and his contribution to the respective areas under reflection or his role in establishing various opportunities for particular studies. So numerous were his scientific friends throughout the world who could have contributed to this issue that initial invitations were limited to select co-workers distributed across many fields as a representation of Hilary’s research interests and the focus of The Wistar Institute that he built over a period of nearly 35 years. He saw no boundaries as he traveled the world in search of answers to many of the pressing questions of the day that were of interest, or in finding the scientific talent to recruit to join The Wistar Institute and facilitate its growth and development. He was not bound to tradition and was quick to grasp the promise of new technologies. Yet, he believed that progress comes through attention to fundamentals. His influence and leadership throughout the fields of immunology, vaccinology, and biotechnology is well established. Authors of the articles in this issue feel honored to dedicate this work in memory of Hilary, his inspiring leadership, and his vigorous role in advancing science. It is fitting that the papers in this memorial treat a wide variety of subjects; they are dedicated to a scientist whose interests were broad and who himself made significant research contributions to many of these subject areas. Hilary faithfully practiced what Benjamin Franklin had advised: ‘‘He who would master nature must obey her laws. He must learn her laws and then obey them.’’ In this brief Introduction, it is not possible to capture in words the vigor and influence of a man like Hilary Koprowski. In personality, he was warm, charming, and dynamic. He liked people. In his devotion to science, he was untiring in his efforts and uncompromising in pursuit of facts and fundamentals. He gave himself wholeheartedly to the advancement of science through his own studies, through the
Hilary Koprowski, MD organization of seminars and symposia, through conferences and committees, nationally and internationally. Those who knew and understood him remember his fine qualities and his contributions will always be reflected in the pages of science history, and the path he forged for some who owe him a debt of gratitude.
153
—Zenon Steplewski, MD, PhD Editor-in-Chief —Thomas Kieber-Emmons, PhD Guest Editor
