An Evolving Story of Translational Research: A Decade after the Jacobson Promising Investigator Award.

Abstract

THE THIRD JOAN L AND JULIUS H JACOBSON PROMISING INVESTIGATOR AWARDEE, MARK PUDER, MD, PHD, FACS: In 2005, the Surgical Research Committee (SRC) of the American College of Surgeons was tasked with selecting the recipient of a newly established award, "The Joan L and Julius H Jacobson Promising Investigator Award." According to the Jacobsons, the award, funded by Dr Jacobson, should be given at least once every 2 years to a surgeon investigator at "the tipping point," who can demonstrate that his or her research shows the promise of leading to a significant contribution to the practice of surgery and patient safety. Every year, the SRC receives many excellent nominations and has the difficult task of selecting 1 awardee. The first awardee was Michael Longaker, MD, FACS, who, 10 years later, reflected on the award and the impact it had on his career.¹ This year, Mark Puder, MD, PhD FACS, the third Jacobson awardee, reflects on his 10-year journey after receiving the award. Dr Puder is now a national and international figure in the field of intestinal failure-associated liver disease and has studied the effect of intravenous lipid emulsions on the etiology and treatment of a once fatal disease in children. Kamal MF Itani, MD, FACS and Brian S Zuckerbraun, MD, FACS, on behalf of the Research Committee of the American College of Surgeons.