NIH 1998 Almanac/The Organization/NCRR/
National Center for Research Resources: Biographical Sketch of NCRR Director
Judith L. Vaitukaitis, M.D.
Dr. Vaitukaitis is a native of Hartford, Conn. She earned a B.S. degree in chemistry
and biology from Tufts University in 1962, and an M.D. degree from Boston University
School of Medicine in 1966. She completed her residency at Cornell Medical Services,
Bellevue Memorial Hospital, New York.
In 1970 she came to NIH as a postdoctoral researcher in the endocrine section of NCI.
She continued her postdoctoral training in the Reproduction Research Branch, NICHD, first
as a PHS special research fellow and then as a senior staff fellow. She subsequently
served as senior investigator and medical officer in that branch until 1974.
From 1974 to 1983 Dr. Vaitukaitis served as professor of medicine at the Boston
University School of Medicine, including 6 years as professor of physiology. In addition
to teaching, she conducted extensive basic research on the mechanisms controlling hormonal
action and metabolism at the cellular level, and clinical research in reproductive
endocrinology.
For significant contributions to the development of radioassay methodology, including
the development of the first specific pregnancy assay, she received the Clinical
Radioassay Society's 1980 Mallinckrodt Award for Investigative Research. The pregnancy
assay she developed continues to be used. It has evolved into over-the-counter products
for early pregnancy detection and a method for monitoring patients with tumors that
developed from placental tissue.
In 1982 Dr. Vaitukaitis wrote Clinical Reproductive Neuroendocrinology and in
1983 received Boston University School of Medicine’s Distinguished Alumna Award.
Her clinical studies were conducted in Boston University’s General Clinical
Research Center, where she served as co-director from 1975 to 1977 and director from 1977
to 1986.
In l986 Dr. Vaitukaitis returned to NIH as director of the General Clinical Research
Centers Program. In l991 she became NCRR’s deputy director for extramural research
resources and subsequently acting NCRR director (1992) and director (l993).
Dr. Vaitukaitis holds memberships in numerous organizations, including the National
Academy of Science Institute of Medicine.
Directors of NCRR
