UCLA cancer researcher honored by the Veterans Health Administration

Steven M. Dubinett, MD
2 min read

Dr. Steven Dubinett, a professor of medicine, pathology and laboratory medicine, and molecular and medical pharmacology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, was selected by the Veterans Health Administration and the Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development Service as this year’s recipient of the William S. Middleton Award.

The Middleton Award is the highest honor awarded annually to VA biomedical research scientists and recognizes Dubinett for his scientific contributions to cancer research and the healthcare of Veterans. The honor also comes with a $150,000 award to help support Dubinett’s ongoing research in lung cancer immunology. 

Dubinett’s early research shed light on why people with lung cancer were not responding to immunotherapy. He discovered underlying mechanisms of immune suppression, leading to therapeutic strategies to help boost the immune response for patients with lung cancer. His latest research explores the role of immunity and inflammation in the development of lung cancer at its earliest stages.

“I am honored to receive this award on behalf of our laboratory members and our collaborators,” said Dubinett, who is a physician-scientist in the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. “This award recognizes the efforts of our multidisciplinary team dedicated to bringing scientific discoveries to patient care.”

The Middleton Award was established in 1960, to honor William S. Middleton, M.D., distinguished educator, physician-scientist, and Department of Veterans Affairs Chief Medical Director from 1955 to 1963. Previous recipients have included two Nobel Laureates and six Lasker awardees.