On Oct. 22, 2013 Myron Cohen received the North Carolina Award for Science. Dr. Cohen is a University of North Carolina physician and scientist who is internationally recognized for his work studying the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS.

The North Carolina Award is the state’s highest civilian honor and the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources administers the award program. Since 1964, awards have been given annually in four categories: fine arts, literature, public service and science.

Cohen arrived at the University of North Carolina in 1980, just as AIDS was first identified. He and a multidisciplinary research team developed sensitive tests to measure HIV concentration in body fluids and were among the first to demonstrate that other sexually transmitted infections can increase the likelihood of HIV transmission.

Cohen is architect and principal investigator of the multinational clinical trial, HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 052. The study showed that early treatment of HIV infection with antiretroviral therapy prevents sexual transmission of the virus by at least 96 percent. The work, which inspired hope for an AIDS-free generation, was recognized by Science magazine in 2011 as its “Breakthrough of the Year.”

“The UNC community is so pleased for this recognition of Dr. Cohen’s remarkable achievements in the field of science,” said William L. Roper, MD, MPH, dean of the UNC School of Medicine. “His life’s work to stop the spread of HIV infection is truly an outstanding example of the impact clinical research can have on millions of people’s health and wellbeing.”