A Vanderbilt University alumnus who is touted as one of the chief architects of the early COVID-19 vaccine will return to his alma mater to give a speech, the school recently announced.
“Pathbreaking immunologist, virologist, educator and leader Barney S. Graham, PhD’91, will deliver the School of Medicine Basic Sciences Dean’s Lecture on Monday, Oct. 17, at 4 p.m. CT in the Jacobs Believed In Me Auditorium at Featheringill Hall,” said a press release from the school. “Graham was the chief architect of the first experimental COVID-19 vaccines and earned the 2021 Vanderbilt University Distinguished Alumnus Award.”
Graham’s lecture is titled “Reflections on Pandemics and the Future of Medicine.”
“Dr. Graham’s expertise and innovation reinforce the power of research as a means to advance knowledge, educate and save lives during this unprecedented moment in our nation’s history,” Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said. “He embodies the value of scientific excellence, curiosity and commitment and could not be more deserving of this recognition.”
The COVID-19 vaccine has become a flashpoint of controversy, as the federal government faces lawsuits for mandating the shots in the military and other institutions.
The vaccine also does not prevent one from catching COVID-19.
The university has a history of fawning over COVID-19’s central political figures.
Dr. Anthony Fauci gave the school’s 2022 commencement address.
There, he received the Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal, presented to him by Diermeier, which is awarded to those who “define the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit.”
“As science and public health have taken on unprecedented urgency over the past year, Dr. Anthony Fauci has courageously led the nation’s COVID-19 response despite bitter politicization of the disease,” Diermeier said when announcing that Fauci would receive the award. “Dr. Fauci embodies the collaborative, can-do spirit that we hold dear at Vanderbilt, and we are honored to award him the Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal in this most pivotal year.”
Fauci is retiring at the end of 2022, which some view as an attempt to duck questions from what will likely be a Republican-controlled Congress beginning in 2023.
– – –
Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Barney S. Graham” by Vanderbilt University.
