Sydney Finegold

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Sydney Finegold’s renowned research in the field of anaerobic bacteria has made Wadsworth/UCLA the foremost center in the world for research and education in anaerobic microbiology. Anaerobes, which cannot grow in the presence of free oxygen, are responsible for such diseases in humans as botulism, tetanus and peritonitis. Finegold has directed his research toward discovering which antibiotics can be most effective in combating these anaerobes, formerly neglected and now finally accepted by physicians as important causes of many types of infection. His work has led to major changes in the clinical management of infection. After obtaining his medical degree at the University of Texas, Finegold completed his residency at the Wadsworth Veterans Hospital. He was appointed instructor in medicine at UCLA in 1955 and named to the highest academic rank possible in 1981. During his tenure at UCLA, he published numerous scientific papers, case reports, articles and books. Among his many honors is the Middleton award for excellence in research. A loyal alumnus, he has been an active member of several Bruin support groups.