By Renée Gotcher
The Cure-Seeker
Gertrude Elion, 1918-1999
Scientist Emerita, Glaxo Welcome 1988 Nobel Prize for Physiology/Medicine
hen Dr. Gertrude Elion -- an acclaimed
80-year-old retired
scientist -- was named to the WITI Hall of Fame in 1998, she
was still an active leader in the world of medical research,
participating in numerous research efforts, professional organizations,
and teaching at both Duke University and the University of North
Carolina. This continued involvement reflects Elion's lifelong
commitment to saving lives through the advancement of medicine.
However, Elion's start down this significant scientific career path was as
much a struggle as a success. Although in 1941 she had a bachelor's
degree and a master's degree in chemistry, female scientists were not yet accepted
in academia and
in many laboratory positions. So Elion went to work teaching high school chemistry
and physics,
and providing laboratory instruction for nurses. However, the changing social landscape
during
World War II afforded her the opportunity to join Burroughs Wellcome in 1944 as a
biochemist
and assistant to Dr. George Hitchings, the scientist with whom she would share the
1998 Nobel
Prize for Medicine. By 1967, she was appointed to head of the Department of Experimental
Therapy -- a position she held until her retirement in 1983.
Throughout her career, Elion remained dedicated and determined to use her research
to help those
suffering from formidable diseases. She discovered and helped to develop many life-saving
drugs
that currently treat leukemia, herpes, rheumatoid arthritis, and immunity disorders,
among others.
Her name appears on 45 patents.
Though she didn't finish her doctoral work, Elion was awarded 25 honorary doctorate
degrees for
her contribution to medical research. Her impact was recognized by her induction
to several halls
of fame, including the National Inventors Hall of Fame, the National Women's Hall
of Fame, the
Engineering and Science Hall of Fame, and WITI's Hall of Fame.
In addition to her constant activity with professional and research organizations,
Elion continued
to teach and touch as many people as she could outside the laboratory. She would
visit elementary
and secondary school classrooms, and correspond with those who were influenced by
her
research and medical contributions. She was an active member of her local as well
as professional
community, inspiring and encouraging other scientists. She is a role model of dedication,
leadership, and lifelong commitment for women who follow in her footsteps.
Copyright
© 1999 InfoWorld Media Group Inc.
