'Leading the government’s charge on infectious disease'

Anthony S. Fauci ’62, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984, was recently profiled in the Washington Post. Fauci, who discussed some of the challenges for young scientists, also talked about the motivation behind his career path in public service, and how he still finds roots in his Jesuit education at Regis High School and the College of the Holy Cross.

"The whole idea of serving the public was something that was just naturally part of my family’s discussions," said Fauci. "My parents talked about the importance of serving others and the gratification that you get from doing so. It was a theme that was catalyzed for me at Regis High School and then at the College of the Holy Cross, both Jesuit institutions. That is where the idea of service for others really became an important part of what I wanted to do."

As a researcher, Fauci has made groundbreaking scientific observations about the regulation of the human immune response and developed effective therapies for formerly fatal diseases. He has also contributed significantly to the scientific understanding and treatment of HIV/AIDS.