Dr. Wayne Streilein was a pioneering scientist and world-renowned authority in the specialized field of ocular immunology, whose groundbreaking work established fundamental principles of immune responses in the eye. Born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on June 19, 1935, he completed his medical training at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1960 and pursued postdoctoral work in immunology and transplantation under the influential British immunologist Rupert Billingham. He served as the Charles L. Schepens Professor of Ophthalmology and Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School, where he also held the prestigious position of President of The Schepens Eye Research Institute. Prior to his tenure at Harvard, Dr. Streilein demonstrated exceptional leadership as Chairman of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Miami School of Medicine, where he completely rebuilt and rejuvenated the department from its lowest rank to become the top-ranked Basic Science Department within a decade.
Dr. Streilein's seminal research focused on the unique immune privilege of ocular tissues, particularly his groundbreaking work on the mechanisms that maintain the cornea's avascular state despite inflammatory stimuli, establishing the concept of 'corneal antiangiogenic privilege.' His laboratory made significant contributions to understanding herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 triggered keratitis and advancing the field of retinal transplantation, fundamentally reshaping scientific understanding of ocular immune responses. Throughout his thirty-year career spanning multiple institutions, he influenced scientific thinking across three distinct areas: transplantation immunology, ophthalmology, and dermatology, with his insights forming the foundation of modern ocular immunology. His research elucidated the complex interactions between the eye and the immune system, revealing how the eye maintains its transparency and function through specialized immunological mechanisms that differ from other tissues in the body.
Widely recognized as 'The Father of Modern Ocular Immunology,' Dr. Streilein's leadership extended far beyond his laboratory as he nurtured the development of outstanding young scientists and recruited major researchers to strengthen the field. He administered the cross-departmental Immunology Graduate Program at Harvard, establishing a precedent for collaborative research across institutional boundaries, and served on influential committees at the National Institutes of Health and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. His lasting legacy includes two significant publications: 'Immunology: A Programmed Text' and 'Immune Privilege, Sites, Tissues, Strategies and Diseases,' which continue to educate new generations of immunologists. Even while holding leadership positions, Dr. Streilein remained deeply committed to mentoring young scientists, finding great joy in guiding the next generation of researchers who would carry forward his pioneering work in ocular immunology.
