Dr. Lawrence Steinman is a world-renowned leader in neuroimmunology and autoimmune disease research, holding the prestigious George A. Zimmermann Professorship at Stanford University School of Medicine. He serves as Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Pediatrics, and Genetics, with a career spanning over four decades since completing his neurology residency at Stanford in 1980. His journey began with a medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1973, followed by postdoctoral training at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel where he worked on the development of glatiramer, an MS therapy still in use today. His decision to focus on multiple sclerosis was profoundly influenced by his sister's struggle with polio during his childhood, which ignited his passion for finding cures for neurological disorders.
Dr. Steinman's groundbreaking research has fundamentally transformed our understanding of how the immune system attacks the brain in autoimmune conditions, particularly multiple sclerosis. His laboratory published the seminal research leading to the first approved monoclonal antibody therapy for MS, Natalizumab (Tysabri), which has provided relief for millions of patients worldwide. His work elucidated the molecular basis for how Epstein-Barr virus triggers multiple sclerosis, representing a paradigm shift in understanding MS pathogenesis that has redirected global research efforts. Additionally, his team developed innovative microarray technology for detecting autoantibodies to myelin proteins and lipids, creating new diagnostic tools that have significantly advanced precision medicine approaches in neuroimmunology and related fields.
As an elected member of both the US National Academy of Sciences and the US National Academy of Medicine, Dr. Steinman has shaped the global neuroimmunology landscape through his leadership and mentorship of the next generation of scientists. He has received numerous prestigious honors including the John Dystel Prize, the Charcot Prize for Lifetime Achievement in MS, and the Cerami Prize for creating a new field of research and contributing to disease prevention and treatment. Currently, his laboratory is advancing multiple novel therapies through clinical trials, targeting conditions ranging from type 1 diabetes to progressive multiple sclerosis, reflecting his enduring commitment to translating scientific discoveries into treatments. His current work on biobanking for MS and demyelinating diseases continues to establish foundational resources that will accelerate future discoveries in neuroimmunology for decades to come.
