Pollin Pediatric Research Prize awarded for discovery of lifesaving treatment of RDS

After graduating in 1947 from Cornell University Medical College (now Weill Cornell Medical College), Dr. Clements joined its Physiology Department as a research fellow and instructor. Two years later, at the United States Army Medical Research Laboratory at Edgewood Arsenal, Md., he developed an interest in pulmonary function and began to elucidate the physical and chemical properties of a previously unknown natural material he named"lung surfactant." His pioneering application of biochemisty to respiratory mechanics paved the way for research, by Dr. Clements and others that described the lipid-protein substance and its role in maintaining the expansion of the lung's airspaces. His findings also led directly to the discovery, in 1959, that surfactant was missing from the lungs of infants who had died with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) -- and to later efforts that developed surfactant substitutes.

Since joining the UCSF faculty in 1960, Dr. Clements has worked closely with its neonatologists to incorporate physiological concepts and methods into the care of severely ill newborns; to develop one of the world's first Intensive Care Nurseries; and to train many fellows who have become leaders in academic medical centers around the world. In addition, he has been active throughout his career in editorial duties for scientific journals and in service to professional societies.

He continues to work at the university several days a week, writing, editing, consulting and working with colleagues to complete research on surface tension in the lung's airways -- research that may have numerous clinical applications.

Dr. Clements has received dozens of honors, including the Christopher Columbus Discovery Award of the United States Congress; Career Investigatorship of the American Heart Association for 29 years; Research Achievement Award of the American Heart Association; Warren Alpert Foundation Prize at Harvard Medical School; Apgar Award of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Trudeau Medal of the American Lung Association; Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians; Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science; Ulf von Euler Memorial Lecture of the Karolinska Institute at the Nobel Foundation; among others.

Dr. Clements has given invited lectures at and received honorary doctorates from universities in North and South America, Asia, United Kingdom and Europe. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences (U.S.), the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Royal College of Physicians of London, and an honorary life member of several medical societies in North and South America.

The Pollin Prize

Created in memory of Linda and Kenneth Pollin, and administered by NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, The Pollin Prize consists of a $100,000 award to the recipient or recipients, and a $100,000 fellowship stipend to be awarded by the recipient or recipients to a young investigator, selected by the recipients, who is working in a related area. The stipend is intended to support a substantial portion of salary and laboratory expenses for two years.