Ellen Vitetta facts for kids

Ellen S. Vitetta is a very important scientist. She leads the Cancer Immunobiology Center at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. This center focuses on understanding and fighting cancer using the body's own defenses.

Her Early Life and Education

Ellen Vitetta studied at Connecticut College for her first degree. Later, she earned advanced degrees from New York University Medical and Graduate Schools. This education helped her become a leading expert in her field.

What She Does

Ellen Vitetta is a professor of microbiology and immunology. This means she teaches and researches tiny living things (microbes) and how our bodies fight off sickness (immunology). She is also the director of the Cancer Immunobiology Center. She holds special positions that recognize her amazing work and teaching skills at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Her Research and Discoveries

Dr. Vitetta is an immunologist. She does "bench to bedside" research. This means she takes discoveries made in the lab (the "bench") and tries to turn them into treatments for people (the "bedside").

Here are some of her key achievements:

• She and her team were the first to find a special protein called IgD on the surface of certain immune cells in mice.
• She also helped discover a protein called Interleukin-4 (IL-4). Her group showed that IL-4 acts like a "switch" for immune cells.
• For over 20 years, she has worked on "biological missiles." These are special antibody-based treatments designed to find and destroy cancer cells or cells infected with HIV.
• These treatments have been studied a lot in labs and in animals. Since 1988, over 300 people have also received these treatments in clinical trials.
• In 2001, Dr. Vitetta successfully created a vaccine to protect against ricin, a dangerous toxin. This vaccine was also tested in people.

Her Impact and Recognition

Dr. Vitetta has written over 500 scientific papers and edited several books. She also holds 24 patents for her inventions. She is known as one of the top 100 most-cited biomedical scientists in the world. This means her work is often referenced by other scientists.

She is a member of several important science groups, including:

• The National Academy of Sciences
• The American Academy of Arts and Sciences
• The Institute of Medicine
• The American Academy of Microbiology

She was the first biomedical scientist from Texas to be chosen for the National Academy of Sciences. She also served as president of the American Association of Immunologists in 1994. This group gave her awards for mentoring (helping younger scientists) in 2002 and for her lifetime achievements in 2007. In 2006, she was honored by being elected to the Texas Women's Hall of Fame.

Dr. Vitetta also helps promote good science in government. She serves on the board of advisors for Scientists and Engineers for America.

Her Students' Success

One of Dr. Vitetta's former students, Linda Buck, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2004. This shows how well Dr. Vitetta mentors and teaches future scientists.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Vitetta has received many awards for her important work:

• 2007: American Association of Immunologists Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2006: Texas Women's Hall of Fame
• 2003: American Academy of Arts and Sciences
• 2002: Mentoring Award, American Association of Immunologists
• 2002: Charlotte Friend Award, American Association for Cancer Research
• 1995: Rosenthal Award, American Association for Cancer Research
• 1994: President, American Association of Immunologists
• 1994: National Academy of Sciences
• 1991: FASEB Excellence in Science Award