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 Cystic fibrosis may have met its match in Warren Warwick.
Warwick is a physician. He's also a researcher.
Over the years, he's invented a new cough, a stereo-stethoscope, and the Vest--a chest-thumping device that CF patients wear with much more consistency than they stick to manual chest therapy. In 1966, the national life expectancy for someone with cystic fibrosis was 10 years. By 1972, it was 18 years; by 2003, 33 years.
Warwick's work has contributed mightily to that progress, not only with his patents but with passionate curiosity and care. At his clinic, patients have survived into their sixties.
Now he and his wife, Henrietta--a Ph.D. and independent classics scholar in her own right--have innovated again. In 2007, they created a fellowship that supports a student working toward a Ph.D. in pediatrics or another medical field. Their vision is the combination of physician and researcher with the ingenuity and motivation to succeed in the fight against disease.
Erik Carlson was the first recipient, and John Albin is the second. Both are enrolled in the M.D./Ph.D. program, Carlson pursing a doctorate in neuroscience and Albin in microbiology, immunology, and cancer biology.
 "It was extremely important for me to get encouragement and support from people who know what it takes to do scientific research with relevance to medicine and the treatment of disease," says Carlson. "I consider Warren and Henrietta Warwick to be great role models. They're inspiring to the next generation of physician-scientists."
Fellowship support like that provided by the Warwicks makes the difference between good and great graduate education. The University of Minnesota strives to attract top students like Carlson and Albin in a highly competitive environment, competing not only with private institutions with large endowments but with many public institutions.
The Graduate School's 21st Century Fellowship Match Program doubles the payout of fellowships, which means students reap twice the benefit. Fellowships created by the Warwicks qualified for the match.
This feature first appeared in the 2008-09 issue of Discovery, published annually by the Graduate School for alumni and friends.
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