Just before his freshman year of college, Dr. Frank Austen '50 contracted polio. He was unable to attend Amherst until the following year, but he was provided the opportunity to think about the direction of his life. During his battle with polio, Austen decided he wanted to be a doctor. Now he is an academic physician, spending the work day teaching, caring for patients and doing research. This year, Austen was inducted into The Royal Society of Science in England. Just six foreign members are elected to The Royal Society each year from all areas of math and science, and this year Austen was chosen for his work in biomedical science. "Imagine signing the same book that Newton, Darwin and Wren signed with a quill pen and real ink," said Austen. "For someone who is a scientist, it is a real thrill." Austen, who is an immunologist, specializes in the study of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis and their relationship to the immune system. He is currently working at Harvard University Medical School.

Amherst years

Austen lived in North and South dormitories for the three years he was at Amherst (he entered as a sophomore). He thought it was best to live in a dorm where it was easier to do work. "I did belong to a fraternity," Austen said. "I feel guilty to have enjoyed myself." In addition to attending Amherst, Austen took classes at Akron University in Akron, Ohio to make up for the time he missed during what would have been his freshman year. Despite his lost year, however, Amherst still prepared him well for his career.

"Amherst helped me mostly in terms of critical thinking and learning how to write and describe results of experimental findings," said Austen. He wrote a thesis in biochemistry, although Amherst didn't offer biochemistry at the time. "Amherst treated me wonderfully," he said. "I am totally Amherst."

Current studies

Austen enjoys all three main parts of his job. "I like teaching clinical medicine and molecular biology to post-doctoral fellows," he said. As a practicing physician, he tends to treat diseases with unique immunological problems that fit in with his research. "When you can diagnose or manage something that has not been diagnosed or managed before, it is joyful," he said. "It makes clinical work as exciting as laboratory work." In the lab, Austen clones human and mouse genes. Then, he disrupts these genes so they don't work, studies the proteins and takes the immune system apart one gene at a time. Austen doesn't consider the cloning controversial. "Cloning is essential to understanding disease mechanisms," he said. "It helps pharmaceutical companies discover new drugs to help people."

In addition to his recent induction, Austen is a member of the National Academy of Science, the U.S. equivalent of The Royal Society. He also has received honorary degrees at a number of schools. "I have been very fortunate," he said. "I have made a difference and had a lot of fun. The awards and prizes are unexpected. The drive and joy of my work is finding out what I didn't know."

Despite his age and his looming retirement, Austen claims his work is as exciting now as it has ever been, and he is still spending as much time on the job as he did 30 years ago. "I like what I do," Austen said. "I don't have a thank-goodness-it's-Friday mentality. I never considered it work."

A true College man

In addition to being an immunologist, a husband and a father, Austen is a lifetime trustee of the College. "Frank was one of the leaders on the Board [of Trustees]," said trustee Robert McKean. "He was measured, sensible and down to earth. At the end of each discussion he would get up and summarize what was said. He was good at getting to the bottom of issues." Austen was appointed chair of the Honorary Degree Committee and the Special Committee on Amherst Education.

George "Spike" Beitzel '50 said he is an outstanding trustee. "[Frank] really improved the quality of the honorary degrees and at the Trustee Board meeting, a major event in college life, he spent days listening to the College's problems," said Beitzel. McKean called Austen a remarkable leader. "Frank was always on top of ethical problems that might exist, and he electrified committees by his leadership," said McKean. In addition to being an outstanding trustee, McKean and Beitzel have only positive things to say about Austen's character. "He always has aided the College when members have had especially challenging medical conditions," Beitzel added. "He has a vast array of knowledge and contacts." When McKean's daughter had melanoma, Austen got her into Mass. General and had his brother take care of her. "He just does that kind of thing," McKean said. "There are no corners cut with Frank. He is a steady character. If there is anyone in the world that I can rely on, Frank is the man."