Who was Jonas Salk? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Dr. Jonas Salk, Jonas E. Salk, Jonas Edward Salk

Died At Age: 80

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Donna Lindsay, Françoise Gilot

siblings: Lee Salk

Born Country: United States

Virologists American Men

Died on: June 23, 1995

place of death: La Jolla, California, United States

City: New York City

U.S. State: New Yorkers

Founder/Co-Founder: Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Orchestra Therapeutics, Inc.

More Facts

education: Townsend Harris High School, 1934 - City College of New York, New York University, New York University School of Medicine

awards: 1977 - Presidential Medal of Freedom
1975 - Congressional Gold Medal
1956 - Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award

1954 - John Scott Legacy Medal and Premium
1955 - Meritorious Service Medal
1975 - Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding

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When did Jonas Salk develop the polio vaccine?

Jonas Salk developed the polio vaccine in 1955.
2

What was the significance of Jonas Salk's polio vaccine?

Jonas Salk's polio vaccine was significant as it was the first effective vaccine against polio, helping to bring an end to the devastating disease.
3

Where was Jonas Salk's polio vaccine first tested?

Jonas Salk's polio vaccine was first tested on children at the D.T. Watson Home for Crippled Children in Pittsburgh.
4

How did Jonas Salk administer his polio vaccine?

Jonas Salk administered his polio vaccine through injections.

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Childhood & Early Life

Jason Salk was born to Polish immigrants Daniel Salk and Dora Salk in New York on October 28, 1914. Jason was the eldest of the three boys in the family; his youngest brother Lee Salk went on to become a child psychiatrist.

The ‘Townsend Harris High School’ in New York was renowned for being a haven for highly gifted students and in the year 1927, Jason enrolled in the prestigious institution. The tough academic demands of the school formed the basis of his career.

Like so many others who were able to graduate from ‘Townsend Harris High School’, Salk also managed to get a place at the prestigious ‘City College of New York’. In the year 1934, he was awarded his bachelor degree in chemistry.

In the year 1935 Salk enrolled in the Medicine course at ‘New York University’, where he showed remarkable academic prowess and the curiosity that is so crucial for future researchers. He received his degree four years later. At NYU he got the opportunity to work with well known researcher Thomas Francis Jr.

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Career

In the year 1942, Jonas teamed up with, his long time collaborator in medical research endeavours, Thomas Francis for a short stint at the ‘University of Michigan’. It was during this particular stint that Salk decided that he was going to be a virologist.

Although Salk did serve residency at the ‘Mount Sinai Hospital’ and continued with his research, he found it difficult to get a suitable job due to Jewish quotas at different universities. Finally he accepted an offer to become the head of virology at the ‘University of Pittsburgh’ in the year 1947.

It was in the year 1952 that years of painstaking research, on the devastating virus, bore fruit as the initial tests were conducted. It was three years later that the polio vaccine became available across the United States.

Salk continued to work in research at ‘University of Pittsburgh’ and held the position as professor in the fields of experimental medicine and bacteriology among others.

In the year, 1963, he helped in establishing the ‘Institute of Biological Studies’ at San Diego, California. It later came to be known as the ‘Salk Institute’. He continued to serve as the director of that particular institute for many years.

Major Works

Jonas Salk worked in plenty of highly important projects throughout his career but his most important and path breaking work was the invention of the polio vaccine that went on to save the lives of millions across the world.

Awards & Achievements

The ‘Lasker Award’ has been awarded to outstanding achievers in the field of medical science since the year the 2nd World War ended and in 1956 Jonas was given the award.

The ‘California Hall of Fame’ has inducted plenty of eminent personalities over the years and in the year 2007, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger honoured Salk with a membership.

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Personal Life & Legacy

Jonas got married to Donna Lindsay right after he became an MD in the year 1939. The couple had 3 children, all boys named Peter Salk, Darrell Salk and Jonathon Salk. They got a divorce in the 39th year of their marriage.

In the year 1970, Salk remarried and his second wife was the famous Francoise Gilot, Pablo Picasso’s one time girlfriend.

This eminent virologist died at the age of 80 of a cardiac arrest on June 23, 1995.

Salk’s biggest legacy will certainly be his work as a scientist who produced the polio vaccine that he made available throughout the world and saved millions of lives all over

Facts About Jonas Salk

Jonas Salk was such a dedicated scientist that he reportedly worked 16-hour days, days a week, in order to develop the polio vaccine.

Salk refused to patent the polio vaccine, believing that it was a medical breakthrough that should be freely available to everyone.

He was known for his humility and preferred to remain out of the spotlight, focusing on his research rather than seeking fame or recognition.

Salk had a lifelong interest in philosophy and the humanities, believing that a well-rounded education was essential for a well-lived life.

Despite his groundbreaking work in virology, Salk also had a passion for art and often sought inspiration from artistic endeavors.

Jonas Salk Biography

You wanted to know

When did Jonas Salk develop the polio vaccine?

What was the significance of Jonas Salk's polio vaccine?

Where was Jonas Salk's polio vaccine first tested?

How did Jonas Salk administer his polio vaccine?