Werner H. Kirsten

Werner H. Kirsten (1925 in Leipzig — December 24, 1992 in Hyde Park, Chicago)[1] was a German-American cancer researcher, known as the discoverer and namesake of Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Virus,[2][3] and consequently of the KRAS oncogene.

Werner H. Kirsten

Early life

Kirsten attended the Universität Frankfurt am Main, graduating summa cum laude with an MD in 1953.[4] He subsequently worked at the Senckenberg Institute of Pathology and the Paul Ehrlich Institute.[4]

Professional life

In 1955, Kirsten moved to Chicago to pursue an internship and a residency.[5] In 1956, he joined the Pathology Department at the University of Chicago.[4] In 1960, he was granted American citizenship.[5] He became an assistant professor in 1961,[5] and — in the wake of his 1967 discovery of the sarcomavirus[5][1] — a full professor in 1968.[4] In 1972, he was promoted to head of the department.[4] In 1986, he left the University and joined the National Cancer Institute as associate director of their facility in Frederick, Maryland.[4] In 1988, he was promoted to director,[1] a position he retained until his death.[1]

References
  1. DR. WERNER H. KIRSTEN, 67, by Kenan Heise, in the Chicago Tribune; published January 1, 1993; retrieved April 10, 2020
  2. also known as Kirsten Mouse Sarcoma Virus and Kirsten Murine Sarcoma Virus
  3. 30 Years Later, WHK Program Remains a Singular Opportunity, by Chris Worthington, at NCI Frederick; published July 10, 2019; retrieved April 10, 2020
  4. Werner H. Kirsten, 1925-1992, by Victor E. Gould, in The American Journal of Pathology; 1993 Apr; 142(4): 963
  5. NCI's Werner Kirsten Is Mourned, in the NIH Record; published February 2, 1993; p 8
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