From Student to Physician-Scientist: Personal Stories that Inspired the Science (Emily Cooley Memorial Award Lecture)

The son of a diamond merchant, an esoteric journal club article, a former Navy officer, and a labradoodle named Dexter all played important roles in Dr. Siegel’s growth as a transfusion medicine physician and scientist. While a seemingly random group, together they afforded him the opportunity to participate in the development of CAR-T therapy, which is now recognized for its use in the treatment of cancer, autoimmune disease, and transplantation. In his presentation, Dr. Siegel will be sharing how his experiences with mentors and trainees contributed to the creation of novel immunotherapies for both two-legged and four-legged members of our families.

2026 Recipient: Donald L. Siegel, PhD, MD (citation)
In grateful recognition of his extraordinary career and his field-advancing research. Dr. Siegel’s world-renowned research has spurred critical advancements in patient care, leading to effective new therapies for countless patients. Additionally, Dr. Siegel has been instrumental in mentoring subsequent generations of leaders in the blood and biotherapies field, many of whom have made their own essential contributions to the field.

About the Emily Cooley Memorial Award
This award began as a lectureship in 1963 and was designated as a Memorial Award in 1983. The awardee shall have demonstrated teaching ability and shall have made a major contribution to the field of transfusion medicine or biotherapies. Acceptance of this award requires attendance at the AABB Annual Meeting and lecture presentation.
The Emily Cooley Memorial Award and Lectureship is presented annually, and recipient is selected one year in advance. This award is funded through an endowment from Vitalant.