American Liver Foundation Honors Sanford Burnham Prebys Dr. Michael Karin with 2026 Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award

Award recognizes Karin's nearly five decades of groundbreaking discoveries in understanding liver biology and inflammation

FAIRFIELD, N.J., Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- American Liver Foundation (ALF) is proud to announce that Michael Karin, PhD, is the recipient of its prestigious 2026 Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award (DSAA). Dr. Karin is the Director and Professor of the Center for Metabolic and Liver Diseases at the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. ALF's DSAA was presented to Dr. Karin at a VIP reception that preceded ALF's 50^th Anniversary National Legacy Gala held in NYC on Wednesday, Oct. 28. This esteemed award recognizes Karin's longstanding contributions spanning nearly five decades of research focusing on the biological pathways that connect inflammation, metabolic disease and liver cancer. His research has helped clarify how inflammatory signaling and metabolic stress can drive disease.

"We are so honored to recognize Dr. Karin for his trailblazing research discoveries that have helped illuminate the connections between inflammation, metabolism, and liver disease—connections that open potential paths to preventing and treating steatohepatitis and other metabolic conditions," said Lorraine Stiehl, Chief Executive Officer of American Liver Foundation. "His work reminds us that progress for people living with liver disease begins with the courage to ask fundamental questions and the persistence to follow the evidence. We are proud to acknowledge a scientist whose cutting-edge discoveries continue to inspire the field."

Dr. Karin's unprecedented research discoveries, scientific leadership and commitment to mentorship and collaboration have shaped the field of hepatology. At Sanford Burnham Prebys, the Karin lab is currently focused on three research areas – inflammation biology and how it is impacted by an individual's metabolic and nutritional state; how immune system stimulation and metabolic disease such as type 2 diabetes cooperate to drive the development of metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD); and the role of inflammation and aberrant metabolism in cancer (including pancreatic, liver and gastrointestinal cancers). His achievements have laid the foundation for numerous therapeutic strategies currently in development and have directly influenced how the scientific community understands the interplay between inflammatory and immune signaling, metabolism, and how liver cancer develops. During his time at UC San Diego, Karin explored the role of immune responses and cellular stress in chronic inflammation and cancer and also demonstrated that immune checkpoint inhibitors can be used to inhibit the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. These discoveries underscore why fundamental research matters to the future of liver health.

"I'm truly honored to receive the prestigious DSAA from American Liver Foundation," said Dr. Michael Karin, Director and Professor of the Center for Metabolic and Liver Diseases. "Future development of therapies for those living with MASLD and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) are on the horizon, and I'm proud that the Karin lab was actively involved in the research discoveries that will make those therapies a reality for the 100 million Americans living with metabolic diseases and liver conditions."

The Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award is presented annually to a basic researcher or physician scientist with a longstanding commitment to scientific discovery who has made major contributions to basic liver research or its application in the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of liver disease. The 2025 recipient of the Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award was Gerald I. Shulman, MD, PhD of Yale School of Medicine.

Dr. Karin received his PhD in Molecular Biology from UCLA in 1979 and conducted postdoctoral research at the Fox Chase Cancer Center from 1979 to 1983. He served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology at USC School of Medicine in 1983. He went on to join the Department of Pharmacology at UC San Diego School of Medicine in 1985 where he rose through the ranks to become the Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology and Pathology and served on the faculty until July 2025. That same year, Karin joined the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Research Institute as its Center Director for Metabolic and Liver Disease where he remains today. Throughout Karin's unwavering dedication to uncover the molecular roots of liver disease, his academic history of investigating stress and inflammation, and his overall work has not only deepened our biological understanding of these diseases but also offers true hope for millions impacted by liver diseases.

In addition to the prestigious DSAA, American Liver Foundation also offers a research awards program in four categories, Liver Scholar Award, Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Award, Pilot Award, and Travel Award to provide the necessary funding to help advance research in liver biology and disease. Since 1980, ALF's research awards program has provided more than $30 million in research funding. More than 935 qualified scientists and physicians have pursued research careers in liver biology, disease and treatment because they received these grants early in their careers. Learn more at Research Awards Program - American Liver Foundation.

For more information about ALF, please visit www.liverfoundation.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding liver disease, please call our FREE helpline at 1-800-Go-LIVER (800-465-4837) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

About the American Liver Foundation
American Liver Foundation (ALF) is a national community of patients, caregivers and medical professionals dedicated to helping people improve their liver health. Providing guidance and life-saving resources, we are a beacon for the 100 million Americans affected by liver disease. We advocate for patients and families, fund medical research, and educate the public about liver wellness and disease prevention. We bring people together through our educational programs and events and create a network of support that lasts a lifetime. ALF is the largest organization focused on all liver diseases and the trusted voice for patients and families living with liver disease. Celebrating 50 years of impact, leading the next 50 years forward. For more information, please visit www.liverfoundation.org or call: 1.800.GO.LIVER (800-465-4837).

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Media Contacts: 
Julie Kimbrough, JKimbrouigh@liverfoundation.org
Direct dial: 475-295-6227    
Karla Thomas, KThomas@liverfoundation.org  
Direct dial: 773.575.9477   

SOURCE American Liver Foundation