Research Highlights
Two Researchers Win Prestigious Middleton Award
Two researchers from BLRD and CSRD – Roland C. Blantz, MD, of the VA San Diego Healthcare System,
San Diego, CA and Michael W. Weiner, MD, from the VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA – were
awarded the prestigious Middleton Award, VA's highest scientific honor in recognition of their
contributions in areas of prime importance to the VA's research mission in an award ceremony on
Tuesday, May 15th, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City. The awards were presented by Mr. William Feeley,
Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and Management. Additionally, the Middleton Award also
recognizes exemplary record of service in biomedical and clinical professions.
Dr. Blantz, a world-renowned nephrologist, is a Professor of Medicine and Head of the Division
of Nephrology and Hypertension at University of California in San Diego. He was honored for his
contributions to our understanding of normal kidney physiology and the role of hormones and
inflammatory mediators in the decline in kidney function in acute and chronic kidney failure,
immune-mediated kidney diseases, and diabetic kidney disease. His research laid the foundation
for the discovery of drug treatments for kidney disease and received international acclaim.
Dr. Weiner is also a Professor of Medicine, Radiology and Psychiatry at the University of
California in San Francisco and the Director of the Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative
Diseases at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. He was honored for his contributions to the
advancement and application of brain imaging techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging and
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Alzheimer’s Disease.
His work has also had high impact in the areas of PTSD and Gulf War Illnesses, both of which are
significant to the VA.
Drs. Blantz and Weiner will each receive $50,000 per year for 3 years in additional
research support from VA’s Office of Research and Development.
VA established the Middleton Award in 1960 to honor William S. Middleton, MD,
an educator and physician-scientist who served as VA's chief medical director
from 1955 to 1963. The award is given each year to a senior VA investigator
for major achievements in areas of prime importance to VA's research mission.