Don Summers Memorial Lecture

Dr. Donald F. “Big Don” Summers, M.D. (1934 – 2001) was an eminent virologist, a warm and caring human being, and one of the few key persons responsible for revamping basic science research at the University of Utah Medical Center, resulting in its current level of national and international prominence. He accomplished this in a variety of ways. First, he set a high standard through his own pioneering research, initially with poliovirus and later with vesicular stomatitis virus. Second, he recruited excellent young scientists to his department, inspiring other departments to follow his lead. Third, he had a merciless intolerance of bureaucracy at all levels which led him to occasionally pound his fist on the table to emphasize an important point. Finally, he promoted a global spirit of cooperation among science departments at the University, including sharing of resources, that enabled basic science to excel and expand in this relatively remote area of the country.

This annual symposium reflects the spirit of collaboration that we inherited from Don, and the lectureship in his name expresses our gratitude.

Text provided by Costa Georgopoulos