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(Music)
Narrator: A pioneer in medical research and
astrobiology, Dr. Baruch Blumberg was one of
history's greatest explorer-scientists.
Dr. Blumberg strongly believed in the breakthrough
value of interdisciplinary research,
and the importance of extraordinary endeavors.
Through his field expeditions to remote areas,
he discovered the antigen of the virus that causes
hepatitis B, a deadly infection of the liver
affecting about one-third of the Earth's
population.
He and his team also developed the first
diagnostic test to detect the hepatitis B virus in
blood plasma, and led the team that invented the
vaccine to prevent the disease.
In 1976, Dr. Blumberg shared the Nobel Prize with
Carlton Gajdusek for "discoveries concerning new
mechanisms for the origin and dissemination of
infectious diseases."
Today, the hepatitis B vaccine is one of the most
widely used vaccines in the world.
His discoveries and inventions saved and will save
tens of millions of lives.
Coupled with his abiding interest in the nature of
life and the unique perspective that space
exploration offers humanity, Dr. Blumberg joined
NASA in 1999 to become the founding director of
the NASA Astrobiology Institute.
As director he forged an effective balance between
competition and cooperation among scientists and
placed the emerging discipline of astrobiology on
a firm foundation.
He served as the NASA Administrator's senior
advisor on biology, and chaired key meetings
about the International Space Station
as a national laboratory.
In 2008 Dr. Blumberg became the first
Distinguished Scientist of both the NASA
Astrobiology Institute and the new NASA Lunar
Science Institute.
Dr. Blumberg was the very model of scientific
excellence that is the hallmark of the Ames
Fellows.
Dr. Baruch Blumberg's profound contributions left
an enduring legacy for all mankind both today
and into the future.
(Music)
(Electronic Sounds of Data) (Musical Tones)