July 16, 2025
Brian Custer, PhD, MPH; and Michael Busch, MD, PhD, of Vitalant Research Institute were recently recognized by ScholarGPS as “Highly Ranked Scholars – Lifetime,” placing them among the top 0.05% of scholars worldwide based on career-long contributions to scientific research. Busch also received distinction as a 2024 “Top Scholar.”
Custer currently serves as director of the Vitalant Research Institute and senior vice president of research and scientific programs. Busch is director emeritus of the institute and vice president of research and scientific programs.
Both researchers are members of the AABB Foundation Hall of Fame and have made lasting contributions to blood safety and public health. Throughout the past decades, their work has helped shape understanding of donor demographics, eligibility criteria, donation patterns and transfusion efficacy. They have also advanced global efforts to monitor and respond to emerging infectious diseases affecting the blood supply.
AABB congratulates Custer and Busch on this distinction and thanks them for their many contributions to advancing blood and biotherapies research.
The AABB Foundation is currently accepting applications for the 2026 cycle of the Early-Career Scientific Research Grants Program. Information about the eligibility criteria and application process is available on the Early-Career Scientific Research Grants Program web page.
To date, the AABB Foundation has awarded more than $12 million in grants to fund the research work of more than 200 scientists, many of whom have gone on to become expert leaders in the blood and biotherapies field. Additional information about the AABB Foundation is available online.
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