King Holmes Endowment

King Holmes (University of Washington) has been and remains a key figure in research on sexually transmitted infections. Immensely approachable, King has been a key advocate of the field and a great mentor to his many successful students. It seems incredible that such an energetic man, whom we have all come to regard as indestructible, is reaching his 70th birthday. To mark the occasion the University of Washington in Seattle is seeking $1.5 million to endow a Holmes Chair in STDs and AIDs and thereby to ensure the future of this important centre of excellence in STD research, a worthy gift to King.

The appeal letter summarises King's contribution elegantly. Most STI researchers owe him something, either directly or indirectly. As a very young researcher I have never forgotten his outspoken defence of my early controversial research on gonococcal pili at a major international meeting, though he has probably forgotten!

The IUSTI executive committee wish to support the proposed endowment by publicising the appeal and by facilitating the decision of individual members as to whether they wish (or are able) to contribute. Our president has taken the lead and pledged a significant personal financial contribution to the appeal. The relevant documents concerning the appeal are linked top right.

Updated by webmaster February 4th 2008.