The Robert Austrian Professorship

AppelThe Professorship was established in 2013 by the bequest of Robert Austrian, MD (1916–2007). Dr. Austrian devoted his professional life to conquering pneumococcal pneumonia, a major killer of the elderly and chronically ill. The vaccine he developed has saved hundreds of thousands of lives.

Dr. Austrian joined the medical faculty in 1962 as John Herr Musser Professor of Research Medicine and Chair of the Department of Research Medicine. He was awarded emeritus status in 1986 and received an Honorary Degree in 1987. Among his many recognitions, he was elected to the National Academy of Sciences and to senior membership in the National Academy of Medicine. He was among the pre-eminent scientists to receive the Albert Lasker Clinical Medical Research Award, which is popularly known as America’s Nobel Prize and is acknowledged as the nation’s highest honor for biomedical research.


Ebbing LautenbachCurrent Chairholder
Ebbing Lautenbach, MD, MPH, MSCE

Ebbing Lautenbach, MD, MPH, MSCE earned a BS in chemistry and psychology at Calvin College, followed by an MD and MPH at Columbia University. He came to the Perelman School of Medicine for a residency in internal medicine, followed by a fellowship in infectious diseases, during which time he also earned an MS in clinical epidemiology. Dr. Lautenbach is the Robert Austrian Professor in the Department of Medicine and Professor of Epidemiology. He serves as the Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and is also a Senior Scholar in the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Dr. Lautenbach’s research focuses on the epidemiology, treatment, and prevention of healthcare-associated infections, particularly those due to antibiotic-resistant pathogens. He has lectured extensively, has over 200 peer-reviewed publications, and has received numerous grants, including R01s from the NIH, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and CDC. Dr. Lautenbach is a Fellow in numerous scientific societies and an elected member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation and the American Academy of Pediatrics.