An Emory University professor received another prestigious award Tuesday for his research on immunology.

Dr. Max Cooper is the co-recipient of the Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award. Cooper and Australian scientist, Dr. Jacques Miller, were honored for their work which has contributed to the advancement of anti-cancer and anti-cytokine drugs for the treatment of diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. They began their research decades ago.

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The award includes a $250,000 prize. Cooper said he’ll use some of his share for additional research and give the rest to his wife.

Cooper and Miller last year were awarded the Japan Prize, one of the most-acclaimed scientific awards in the world, for their work.

Cooper said in a telephone interview he’s humbled by the award and thankful that his work has made an impact. Cooper, who turned 86 last month, is working on research he began more than a decade ago to study the immune system.

Why does he continue to do the work?

“The fun of discovery and the hope of finding something that will be interesting and medically viable,” he said.

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