The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health hosted an installation ceremony announcing Manya Magnus, whose research for three decades has focused on prevention and treatment of HIV, as the inaugural Michael and Lori Milken Professor of Public Health.
Magnus is a professor at Milken Institute SPH, chair of the Department of Epidemiology, and is the principal investigator of the DC Clinical Trials Unit. Magnus has conducted research focused on innovative biomedical and structural interventions to prevent HIV transmission and inform treatment and cure. Her work has contributed to novel HIV prevention strategies, community-based programs and enhanced outreach to high-risk populations.
GW President Ellen M. Granberg opened the event last week in the Convening Center by expressing gratitude to Milken Institute SPH Dean Lynn R. Goldman for her leadership. Granberg also welcomed distinguished guest Michael Milken, members of the GW Board of Trustees as well as Magnus.
“This installation comes at a time when the world is acutely aware of the importance of public health, of having trusted experts, rigorous research and institutions that respond to the moment with integrity and evidence-based solutions,” Granberg said. “At GW, and in particular, at the Milken Institute School of Public Health, we have embraced that responsibility locally, nationally and globally.”
She said endowed professorships are among the highest distinctions a university can bestow, and they act as powerful drivers for innovation, discovery and create lasting influence.
“I want to thank Mike and Lori Milken for making this professorship possible,” Granberg said. “But when I think of all that Mike and Lori have done for GW and for public health, I have to say thank you does not come close to expressing the depth of gratitude and appreciation that they deserve.”
Goldman introduced Milken, saying his name carries with it a profound legacy of innovation, impact and boundless energy and dedication to improving the human condition.
“Mike has been called the man who changed medicine by Fortune Magazine, and for good reason. But what's most striking is that his commitment to improving lives has never been limited to just one field,” Goldman said. “Whether through his work in finance, which revolutionized capital markets, access to funding for entrepreneurs and job creators, or through his decades of philanthropic leadership, Mike has always been driven by one big idea. That everyone should have a chance to have a healthy, meaningful and productive life.”
Goldman said Milken has dedicated his life to advancing four key pillars: education and access to knowledge, health and medical research, a thriving entrepreneurial economy and free enterprise to expand opportunities. He co-founded the Milken Family Foundation in the early 1980s with a focus on medical research and education. Milken launched the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the largest global funder of prostate cancer research, in 1993 and established FasterCures 10 years later to accelerate medical solutions for all life-threatening diseases. He is also chairman of the Milken Institute.
“Mike, your legacy is all around us in our classrooms, in our labs, in our partnerships, and most importantly, in the lives we serve,” Goldman said.
Milken then spoke on the role of public health and medical research in driving over 50% of economic growth over the past 200 years, citing innovations like penicillin and vaccines. He reflected on the significant improvements in life expectancy, from 31 years globally at the start of the 20th century to the low-to-mid 70s today, largely due to advancements in public health.
Milken celebrated Magnus for her exceptional scientific contributions, dedication to the community and ability to drive real-world impact, particularly in transforming HIV treatment and care.
“We established this professorship to recognize excellence in public health, research, teaching and service,” Milken said. “We view it as an investment in the future of public health leadership.”
Alan Greenberg, who currently serves as the director of the District of Columbia Center for AIDS Research and a professor of epidemiology at GW, highlighted Magnus’ many traits and achievements that make her a deserving choice for the professorship.
“She has led GW's contributions to groundbreaking clinical studies of long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis, monoclonal antibody infusions, and importantly, the Moderna mRNA vaccine for COVID-19,” Greenberg said. “We, your colleagues, stand here today to honor you, to acknowledge your many contributions to our students and science.”
Magnus took to the podium and expressed her gratitude to all those who have supported her throughout her career, acknowledging the significance of the honor and emphasizing the importance of collaboration in advancing public health.
“I didn't know 22 years ago where I would end up,” she said. And I can't know, and nor can any of us, where the future will find us for the next 22 years. I've got to believe, and I firmly believe, that our commitment to public health and to helping the communities we serve will present us with opportunities for scientific action that we can grab a hold of to make some positive change,” Magnus said.
“So together, we can have the ending of the story that we want. I can honestly say that I'm so fortunate to be here with all of you. And I want to write the next chapter with you. So, I look forward to the next 22 years. And I'm very grateful to all of you.”
GW Provost Christopher Alan Bracey gave the installation’s closing remarks, saying endowed professorships are the cornerstone of higher education, philanthropy and academic excellence.
“Faculty members whose titles bear the names of endowed professorships like Dr. Magnus are selected for this honor because of their dedication to working hard and their excellence in the field,” Bracey said. “And to Mike and Lori Milken, thank you for your incredible vision and your generosity, which ensure public health faculty excellence at George Washington University.”