William J. Steinbach, MD, professor of pediatrics and chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and professor of molecular genetics and microbiology, has received the 2017 Oswald Avery Award. The Oswald Avery Award for early achievement is granted in recognition of outstanding achievement in an area of infectious diseases by an individual member or fellow of IDSA who is 45 or younger. Steinbach is being recognized for quickly becoming an international leader as an investigator studying the molecular basis and clinical manifestations of invasive fungal infections.
Steinbach’s laboratory investigates the molecular pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of invasive aspergillosis caused by the deadly fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. He is also the co-founder and continuing co-chairman of the International Advances Against Aspergillosis scientific conferences. His clinical research endeavors complement his scientific work, and he is the founder and director of the 53-site International Pediatric Fungal Network, currently funded by over $7M in NIH funds to lead ground-breaking treatment and diagnostic clinical studies in pediatric invasive fungal disease. He also serves as the program training director for the Duke Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program and co-directs the Tri-Institutional Molecular Mycology and Pathogenesis Training Program (MMPTP), each funded by NIH training grants.