Jacques U. Baenziger, MD, PhD

Jacques U. Baenziger, MD ’75, PhD ’75, has been a valuable member of the Department of Pathology at Washington University School of Medicine for over 30 years. During this time he has received international recognition for his research in the area of glycobiology including the Warner-Lambert/ Parke-Davis Award, the Karl Meyer Award for career achievement and a Research Career Development Award.

He served as president of the Society for Glycobiology in 2007. A native of Switzerland, Baenziger received his bachelor’s degree in 1969 from New College in Sarasota, and his medical degree and doctor of philosophy in 1975 from Washington University. He then joined the Department of Pathology as an intern, rising quickly to be named Assistant Professor in 1977 and, shortly thereafter, to the position of Associate Professor. He became Professor of Pathology in 1984 and Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology in 1991. He also contributed to the medical center by serving as Director of Graduate Student Affairs for Pathology and as a member of the steering committee for the Cell and Molecular Biology Program. He is a Life Fellow of the Eliot Society.

As a mentor for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, Baenziger is a highly dedicated educator who has received the University’s Distinguished Service Teaching Award three times, reflecting his ongoing contributions to the teaching mission of the medical school. He is also the author of more than 115 papers and book chapters, including numerous peer-reviewed manuscripts, and he has had 51 major invited professorships and lectureships. He holds an NIH grant, which has received MERIT status twice and an NIH Director’s Award, a remarkable achievement for a grant in its 30th year.

The Washington University Medical Center Alumni Association is pleased to present Dr. Baenziger with its Alumni/Faculty Award.