Ralph M. Steinman (1943–2011)

Abstract

An immunologist's dedication, courage, and influential discoveries affected research far beyond the work for which he received the 2011 Nobel Prize.On 30 September 2011, just days short of the announcement that he had been awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery of dendritic cells, Ralph Steinman lost his nearly 5-year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. Although this disease claims the lives of 85% of those it afflicts within 1 year of diagnosis, it was not surprising to many of us who knew him that Ralph beat the odds for so long and got so much accomplished while doing so.