Famous American Pharmacologists

Frances Kathleen Oldham Kelsey was a renowned Canadian-American pharmacologist and physician. Her pivotal role as an FDA reviewer in withholding approval for thalidomide due to safety concerns prevented serious birth defects. Kelsey's dedication to ensuring drug safety led to the strengthening of FDA oversight. She received the prestigious President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service from John F. Kennedy in 1962, becoming only the second woman to achieve this honor. Kelsey's professional legacy is marked by her unwavering commitment to public health and pharmaceutical regulation.

Gertrude B. Elion was an American biochemist and pharmacologist renowned for her groundbreaking contributions to the field of medicine. Alongside George H. Hitchings and Sir James Black, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1988 for their innovative approach to drug design. Elion's pioneering work revolutionized the pharmaceutical industry by emphasizing a targeted understanding of drug mechanisms. Her notable achievements include the development of AZT, the first widely used AIDS drug, azathioprine for organ transplant rejection, and acyclovir for herpes treatment.

Otto Loewi was a German pharmacologist and psychobiologist known for his discovery of acetylcholine as an endogenous neurotransmitter. His groundbreaking work earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1936, shared with Sir Henry Dale. Loewi's professional life was marked by significant contributions to the understanding of neurotransmission, particularly through his experiments demonstrating chemical neurotransmission. His collaboration with Dale and time spent in laboratories in London were pivotal in shaping his research and scientific achievements in the field of pharmacology.

Louis J. Ignarro is an American pharmacologist known for his groundbreaking work on the signaling properties of nitric oxide, which earned him the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. He is a professor emeritus at UCLA School of Medicine and has previously held academic positions at Tulane University School of Medicine. Ignarro has made significant contributions to cardiovascular science, receiving awards from organizations like the American Heart Association. He is also recognized for his role in the development of Viagra and is involved in various scientific committees and boards within the pharmaceutical industry.

David Herold worked as an American pharmacist's assistant. He became infamous for his role as an accomplice to John Wilkes Booth in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. Following the assassination, Herold helped Booth evade capture by accompanying him to various locations. Ultimately, they were cornered by authorities, leading to Booth's death and Herold's subsequent trial, conviction, and execution by hanging for his involvement in the conspiracy.

Ferid Murad was an American physician and pharmacologist known for his groundbreaking research on the role of nitric oxide in the cardiovascular system. His work led to a better understanding of how nitric oxide functions as a signaling molecule in the body, particularly in regulating blood pressure and blood flow. Murad's contributions to science were recognized with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1998, highlighting his significant impact on the field of medicine and pharmacology.

Julius Axelrod was an American biochemist renowned for his groundbreaking research in neuroscience. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1970 for his work on catecholamine neurotransmitters, specifically their release and reuptake processes in the brain. Axelrod also made significant contributions to understanding the pineal gland and its regulation during the sleep-wake cycle. His work has had a lasting impact on the field of neuroscience and continues to influence research in neurotransmission and circadian rhythms.

Carl Ferdinand Cori was a Czech-American biochemist and pharmacologist known for his groundbreaking work on carbohydrate metabolism. Alongside his wife Gerty Cori and physiologist Bernardo Houssay, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1947 for their discovery of how glycogen is broken down and resynthesized in the body for energy. Their research revolutionized our understanding of how the body processes glucose derivatives, leading to significant advancements in the field of biochemistry. Cori's contributions have left a lasting impact on the scientific community and continue to be recognized through various honors and awards.

Alfred G. Gilman was an accomplished American pharmacologist and biochemist known for his groundbreaking research on G-proteins and their role in cell signaling. He made significant contributions to the field through his work at various institutions, including the University of Virginia School of Medicine and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Gilman's discovery of G-proteins earned him prestigious accolades such as the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1994, highlighting his profound impact on the understanding of cellular processes and signaling pathways.

Alice Augusta Ball was an American chemist known for developing the "Ball Method" for creating ethyl ester derivatives of chaulmoogra oil, used in treating leprosy. She was the first woman and African American to earn a master's degree from the University of Hawaiʻi and became their first female and African American chemistry professor. Despite dying at a young age, her significant contributions to science were not widely acknowledged until posthumously, highlighting her pioneering work in the field of chemistry and medicine.

John Jacob Abel was an influential American biochemist and pharmacologist known for establishing the pharmacology department at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1893. He became America's first full-time professor of pharmacology and made significant medical advancements, particularly in hormone extraction during his tenure at Hopkins. Abel also founded important scientific journals like the Journal of Biological Chemistry and the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, contributing greatly to the field of pharmacology and biochemistry.

Louis S. Goodman was an American pharmacologist known for his influential collaborations with Alfred Gilman, Sr. Together, they wrote the renowned textbook The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics in 1941. Goodman and Gilman also conducted pioneering chemotherapy trials using nitrogen mustard, laying the foundation for modern cancer treatment. Goodman's work in pharmacology significantly advanced the understanding and application of drug therapies, leaving a lasting impact on the field and contributing to the development of life-saving treatments for various medical conditions.

William Herman Prusoff was a pioneering pharmacologist known for his significant contributions to the field of antiviral drugs. In the 1950s, he developed idoxuridine, the first antiviral agent approved by the FDA. Prusoff continued his groundbreaking work by co-developing stavudine, one of the earliest drugs used in the treatment of AIDS, in the mid-1980s. His innovative research and developments have had a lasting impact on the field of pharmacology, particularly in the treatment of viral infections.

Earl Wilbur Sutherland Jr. was an American pharmacologist and biochemist recognized for his groundbreaking research on the mechanisms of hormone action. His work, particularly on epinephrine and cyclic AMP as second messengers, revolutionized the understanding of cellular signaling pathways. Sutherland's discoveries earned him the prestigious Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1971. His contributions have had a lasting impact on the fields of pharmacology and biochemistry, influencing further research and advancements in the study of hormone function and cellular communication.