2 UB Faculty Members to Receive One of Poland's Top Honors

Two University at Buffalo faculty members will receive the Cross of Merit, one of the highest awards presented by the Republic of Poland, in ceremonies this evening.

The presentation will take place at 8 p.m. in the home of Marek B. Zaleski, M.D., Ph.D., UB professor of microbiology and one of the recipients, at 95 Willow Green, Tonawanda.

Also receiving the award will be Felix Milgrom, M.D., internationally known immunologist and Distinguished Professor of microbiology at UB.

The presentation will be made by Jerzy Surdykowski, the Republic of Poland Consul General in New York City.

Milgrom, who served as chair of UB's Department of Microbiology from 1967-85, is a native of Poland. Among his major contributions are research in the structure and function of antibodies related to rheumatoid arthritis and the mechanism of hyperacute rejection in kidney transplants. One of the world's leading immunologists, he is known for his work in human organ transplantation, autoimmunity, renal immunopathology and tumor immunology. Milgrom lives in Amherst.

Also a native of Poland, Zaleski came to UB in 1978. Known locally for his support of Solidarity during a crucial point in Polish history, Zaleski co-translated writings of the Rev. Jozef Tischner into English. The book was published in 1984 as "The Spirit of Solidarity." Through the efforts of WBFO 88.7 FM, the National Public Radio affiliate operated by UB, Zaleski interviewed now Polish President Lech Walesa at Christmas in 1985, 1986 and 1987, providing an annual holiday message to the Polish community of Buffalo from Walesa.