• Finegoldia magna, named by a group in the UK, is an anaerobic gram-positive coccus found as normal flora in different parts of the body, especially the oral cavity and the skin
• The Alistipes finegoldi, coined by a Finnish group, is a gram-negative bacillus, is found normally in the bowel, and is involved in infections related to the large bowel and appendix. 
• The Bacteroides finegoldii, named by a Japanese group, is also a gram-negative bacillus found normally in the intestines and occasionally in infections related to the intestines.

Vantage Point: What spark caused you to become interested in the field of research?

Finegold: In college, I was always interested in the various projects we had to do for research classes. I loved doing them. But, it wasn’t until I started medical school that I really got involved in research.

VP: If you were to define the term “research” to someone outside your field, how would you explain the work you and your staff do?

Finegold: Research is like walking into a totally dark room. The room is filled with furniture and various obstacles. As a researcher, you are blindly feeling your way around by touch and trying to get some idea of how many objects there are in the room and the role each object plays. If you are very lucky, the light eventually turns on and you confirm your suspicions as well as questioning other objects that you missed. You say to yourself, ‘Hey! I should have recognized that.’

VP: What do you find the most gratifying in your research?

Finegold: I enjoy solving a puzzle. It could be large or small. Over the years, I find myself wondering and worrying about some issue. It can keep me intrigued and tantalized.  …and then one day a piece that I had not noticed comes into play and it all comes together. I exclaim, ‘Wow, my God, this is absolutely great!’ Then I find that all that effort and time – including walking into blind alleys - was worthwhile.

VP: What is it about working at the VA that interest you?

Finegold: The Veterans are wonderful people to work with. They really appreciate the effort we are making on their behalf.  They recognize the quality of care we try to deliver. It is wonderful and rewarding for me to work with patients like that.

VP: You were recently given the Lifetime Achievement award. Was it a fitting tribute to the work you have done and your many accomplishments?

Finegold: Well it was an honor and I am humbled by it. I keep thinking that they are trying to tell me something, like it is time to retire (laughs).

VP: Does the award signify that you are preeminent in the field of research at the West Los Angeles VA?

Finegold: I don’t mean to discount such an honor, but no. I looked around the room during Research Week and saw many truly dedicated researchers who, today, are doing fabulous work. The VA has so many talented researchers. The significance to me is that the award carries recognition to the fantastic staff in the lab who work shoulder to shoulder with me on the research projects we do. 

VP: There are those who express the opinion that the programs and research conducted VA are limited by its government bureaucracy. How do you answer them?

Finegold: I would say they are poorly informed. Certainly there are challenges. As with any medical institution, we must comply with a number of regulations designed to protect the well-being of our patients. Indeed, we are a government institution and we always need to find ways to improve the way things are done. The VA system is a major national heritage; a treasure. I am proud to work here.

VP: What current challenges are you facing when it comes to research?

Finegold: The biggest challenge is that I can’t convince people that the role of bacteria is  important in finding the cause of autism. We have had a few papers published but we have not attracted enough funding to do the kind of research that is needed.

VP: Do others share your frustration concerning lack of funding for autism research?

Finegold: Absolutely, funding is an issue for almost all researchers. A really nice man from the Midwest has an autistic son. Every year, he sends us $10,000.00 for our autism research. To him it’s like one million dollars. He works very hard to dig up that amount of money every year and send it to us. It’s truly amazing.

                                                                  
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Many thanks to the Office of Public Affairs at the West Los Angeles VA and in particular, Wileen Hernandez for allowing us to publish this article.