- scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-patient-scientist
- scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=steinman-nobel-laureate-explains-discovery-dendritic-cells
Provide names of other journalists involved.
None
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Published online first (ahead of print publication in Scientific American as “The Patient Scientist”): December 20, 2011
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Ralph Steinman, who is credited with discovering immune dendritic cells, died just three days before the 2011 Nobel Prizes were announced. But that was hardly the most remarkable thing about the timing of his death–he had already outlived his pancreatic prognosis by years, likely thanks to experimental treatments based on dendritic cells.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Scientific research papers, FDA clinical trial protocols and reports
Explain types of human sources used.
Researchers, colleagues, friends and relatives
Results:
Hopefully a better public understanding of immunological research and treatments–and the scientific and medical research process in general.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
None
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Look for the stories behind the news. In this instance a combination of events–the Nobel Prize announcement and Steinman’s death–brought national attention to the story, but there was a lot left untold–and unexplained. A compelling event and human story make for an excellent entrance for readers into a complex health or medical topic.