Stuart A. Kornfeld, MD,
David C. and Betty Farrell Distinguished Professor of Medicine,
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Educational and Career Milestones
Dr. Stuart A. Kornfeld, an esteemed figure in the field of medicine, began his illustrious journey at Washington University School of Medicine, earning his medical degree in 1962 following his undergraduate studies at Dartmouth College, where he majored in zoology. He is also an alumnus of Ladue Horton Watkins High School in St. Louis. His post-graduate training included time at Barnes Hospital and the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases at the NIH. Dr. Kornfeld’s career at Washington University commenced in 1966, where he joined as an instructor in Medicine, alongside his wife, Rosalind Kornfeld, PhD.
Groundbreaking Research and Awards
Dr. Kornfeld is renowned for his pioneering research in glycobiology, particularly his work on the pathways involved in oligosaccharide biosynthesis, processing, and maturation. His significant contributions include elucidating how lysosomal enzymes are transported from their synthesis sites to their functional locations within lysosomes, essential for cellular macromolecule degradation.
Over his extensive career, Dr. Kornfeld has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including:
- Election to the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Passano Award (with William Sly, MD)
- Honorary Doctor of Science from Washington University
- Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for Alpha-Mannosidosis and Related Diseases
- 2010 George M. Kober Medal from the Association of American Physicians
- Roscoe O. Brady Award from the WORLD Symposium
Dr. Kornfeld has also served on numerous academic boards, such as the Editorial Boards for the Journal of Biological Chemistry, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal of Cell Biology, and Molecular Biology of the Cell. His leadership roles include serving as President of the Association of American Physicians and being a member of the Medical Advisory Board for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Co-Chief and Professor of Medicine
Division of Hematology
“Dr. Kornfeld has shaped the characters and careers of countless students and post-docs that are now national and international leaders in their fields. Everyone that has known him has been profoundly affected by his intellect and demeanor. He is a giant in the field of glycobiology research. His work on lysosomal storage diseases has led to better understanding of their causes and treatments.”
Kornfeld Lectureships and Fellowships
In recognition of Dr. Kornfeld’s outstanding contributions, Washington University established a lectureship in his honor to highlight the impact of physician-scientists’ research. These annual lectures, featuring prominent guest speakers, emphasize the importance of research in medicine. The inaugural lecture in 2023 featured Dr. Joseph Goldstein, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine in 1985. The 2024 Kornfeld Lectureship will be held on September 24, 2024, with Dr. Robert J. Lefkowitz, Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry (2012), as the featured speaker.
The Kornfeld Scholars Post-baccalaureate (Post-bac) Program, provides intensive mentored laboratory research experiences, promoting career development and encouraging underrepresented groups in medicine to apply. The program is named for Dr. Kornfeld, in honor of his lifelong commitment to training physicians and physician-scientists, and his visionary creation of the first Physician-Scientist Training Program in the United States.
The post-bac program not only benefits the Kornfeld Scholars, but it provides support for PSTP trains during a critical phase of their career development. The PSTPs also gain an important opportunity to sharpen their mentorship skills, which will facilitate their transition to independence. Initial support for the Kornfeld Scholars program has come from the Department of Medicine, the Department of Pediatrics, the Edward Mallinckrodt, Jr. Foundation, Siteman Cancer Center, and our NCI-funded Leukemia SPORE grant (led by Dr. Dan Link).
Although the Kornfeld Scholars program is only in its second year of existence, it has attracted national attention, with applicants coming from across the United States. Nine Kornfeld Scholars are now here, with a goal to increase the number of Scholars to match the number of PSTP trainees who are in the research phase of their fellowships.
“Stuart’s scientific excellence is well known to the entire world. But some his most impactful work has been done quietly and out of the limelight. He has gently mentored hundreds of medical students, residents, fellows, and trainees in his laboratory, and created infrastructure to ensure their success. His vision to create the Physician-Scientist Training Program here in 1999, a program designed to facilitate the transition of young MD-PhDs from medical school to their first academic job, has had an enormous impact. These programs have now been copied at more than 30 medical schools and have been a major source of new physician-scientist faculty here for decades. The impact of this important idea is felt every day, here and across the nation, and it will continue to be for decades to come.”
Lewis T. and Rosalind B. Apple Chair in Oncology
Legacy and Impact
Dr. Kornfeld’s influence extends beyond his research, shaping the careers of countless students and post-docs who are now leaders in their fields. His mentorship has left an indelible mark on the scientific community, particularly within the Division of Hematology at Washington University, which he co-directed for over 20 years.
Dr. Kornfeld and his colleague, Dr. Philip W. Majerus, significantly advanced medical science, with Dr. Kornfeld’s laboratory elucidating the transport mechanisms of lysosomal enzymes and Dr. Majerus’s research revealing how aspirin inhibits platelet function.
The Division of Hematology has trained over 200 clinical fellows, numerous graduate students, and postdoctoral research fellows, many of whom have achieved leadership positions in academic medicine.
Co-Chief and Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Hematology
Dr. Kornfeld’s impact has been felt across many facets of Washington University, in particular the Division of Hematology, which he led as Co-Director for more than 20 years. Dr. Kornfeld’s sustained productivity is exemplified by having held the longest continuously running research grant funded by the National Cancer Institute, now completing year 57.
Tribute Event
Join us in celebrating Dr. Kornfeld’s extraordinary career and achievements on September 20th, from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, with presentations from more than fourteen of his former trainees.
For further reading on Dr. Kornfeld’s contributions, visit: