After completion of service in the Medical Corps of the Army of the United States at the end of World War II, he trained in virus research at The Rockefeller Institute.
An internationally recognized research scientist who made significant contributions to the study and prevention of influenza and other viral diseases, he developed the first genetically engineered vaccine of any kind more than 30 years ago.
This method became the standard for optimization of the virus used to produce the influenza vaccines that many of us receive on a yearly basis.
Kilbourne also had a lifelong interest in non-scientific writing and has published humorous verses and essays in magazines for the general public.
These were inspired by whimsical news items gleaned from the press - most of them dealing with the often bizarre mating habits of sub-human species.