Dr. Thomas Carey ’67

Cancer Researcher
Associate Chair for Research, Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Donald A. Kerr Professor of Oral Pathology and Chair, Department of Oral Medicine, Pathology and Oncology, School of Dentistry, Co-Director, Head and Neck Oncology Program, Cancer Center, Director, Research Laboratory, Kresge Hearing Research Institute University of Michigan

That Dr. Tom Carey is one of the top research scientists in the nation is acknowledged by colleagues throughout that world, and by the University of Michigan, which recently awarded him its highest faculty honor: Senior Research Scientist Award. He is recognized internationally for proving that cultured cells consistently express the characteristic of the tumor from which they are cultured. Dr. Carey identified the first human melanoma antigen known to trigger an immune response, which led to the development and experimentation of several significant cancer vaccines. He also has been studying hearing loss since 1990 and has made important discoveries regarding hearing losses caused by the body’s immune system attacking the hair cells in the inner ear. His St. Lawrence degree is in biology, and he earned his Ph.D. in biochemical pharmacology from the State University of New York University at Buffalo. At Reunion 2003, St. Lawrence accorded him its The Sol Feinstone Humanitarian Award.