Harvey J. Alter

Harvey J. Alter was born on September 12, 1935. He would go on to become a prominent medical researcher credited with critical discoveries in identifying non-A, non-B hepatitis, which later became known as hepatitis C. His future work had substantial impact on blood transfusion safety globally.

In the late 1980s, Harvey J. Alter played a fundamental role in the development of the first tests for hepatitis C. This development marked a pivotal moment in the screening of blood products, helping to dramatically reduce the transmission of hepatitis C through blood transfusions, thus saving countless lives worldwide.

Harvey J. Alter contributed significantly to the discovery and characterization of a new form of hepatitis, non-A, non-B, later known as hepatitis C. This discovery was crucial for understanding how this virus is transmitted and for developing strategies to prevent and treat this infection, fundamentally improving global public health.

Harvey J. Alter received the prestigious Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research in 2000. This award recognized his groundbreaking work in identifying and characterizing the hepatitis C virus. The Lasker Awards are among the most respected science prizes in the world, marking this as a significant acknowledgment of his contributions.

Harvey J. Alter was awarded the National Medal of Science in 2002, one of the highest honors in American science. The award was in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of medical research, particularly his role in the discovery and characterization of the hepatitis C virus.

In 2002, Harvey J. Alter was inducted into the National Academy of Sciences. This was a testament to his substantial contributions to medical science and public health, particularly in the understanding and prevention of blood-borne hepatitis transmission.

In 2013, Alter was honored with the Canada Gairdner International Award. This prestigious award recognized his contributions to medical research, specifically his work related to the discovery of hepatitis C and its profound impact on blood safety, diagnostics, and treatment.

In 2015, TIME Magazine named Harvey J. Alter as one of the 'TIME 100: The Most Influential People'. His pioneering work in the discovery of the hepatitis C virus was highlighted, acknowledging how it reshaped blood screening practices worldwide and spurred further research into viral hepatitis.

On October 5, 2020, Harvey J. Alter was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine alongside Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice for the discovery of the hepatitis C virus. This work had a transformative effect on medicine, making blood transfusions safer globally by identifying a major cause of liver disease.

Harvey J. Alter retired from the National Institutes of Health in March 2021. Over his long career, he made seminal contributions to the field of hepatology, especially regarding the safety of blood transfusions. His work laid a strong foundation for ongoing research and treatment of viral hepatitis.