NIH scientist Harvey Alter ’56, ’60M (MD) has received the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of the hepatitis C virus, a breakthrough the Nobel Assembly said “made possible blood tests and new medicines that have saved millions of lives.”
He is the 13th Rochester graduate or faculty member to be awarded a Nobel Prize—and the fifth in the last four years. Above, Alter received the Charles Force Hutchison and Marjorie Smith Hutchison Medal, the University’s highest award for alumni achievement and service, in 2015.
“Dr. Alter exemplifies Rochester’s long tradition of scientific research and discovery,” says University President Sarah Mangelsdorf. “His contributions to solving the global public health challenge of hepatitis C are an example of Meliora in action—making the world ‘ever better.’ We are honored to count him among our most distinguished alumni.”
See news coverage from The New York Times and ABC News.