Rosalyn Sussman Yalow

Date of Birth: July 19, 1921

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: May 30, 2011

Biography

Rosalyn Sussman Yalow was an American medical physicist who made significant contributions to the field of medical research. She was born on July 19, 1921, in New York City. Yalow is best known for her development of the radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique, which revolutionized the field of endocrinology by allowing scientists to measure minute quantities of biological substances in the body. This technique has had a profound impact on the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases, including diabetes and hormonal disorders. Yalow attended Hunter College, where she graduated with honors in physics and chemistry in 1941. She then worked as a secretary to support herself while pursuing graduate studies. Yalow earned her Ph.D. in physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1945. After completing her doctorate, she returned to New York and began her work at the Bronx Veterans Administration Hospital, where she collaborated with Solomon Berson to develop the RIA technique. In 1977, Rosalyn Sussman Yalow was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, becoming the second woman to receive this honor in that category. Throughout her career, she received numerous accolades and honors for her pioneering work. Yalow was also a passionate advocate for women in science and worked tirelessly to inspire and support the next generation of female scientists. Rosalyn Sussman Yalow passed away on May 30, 2011, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking scientific achievements and contributions to medical research.

5 Interesting Facts about Rosalyn Sussman Yalow

1. Rosalyn Sussman Yalow was the first American-born woman to win the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

2. She initially faced gender-based discrimination and was discouraged from pursuing a career in science.

3. Yalow’s development of the radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique has been instrumental in the detection and treatment of various diseases.

4. She received the National Medal of Science in 1988 for her contributions to medical research.

5. Yalow continued to work and mentor students well into her 80s, demonstrating her lifelong commitment to science.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Rosalyn Sussman Yalow

1. “We still live in a world in which a significant fraction of people, including women, believe that a woman belongs and wants to belong exclusively in the home.”

2. “Work is fun to me. All those years of experimentation, the failures, the successes, the excitement, the euphoria of what you find — these are all parts of the job.”

3. “The excitement of learning separates youth from old age. As long as you’re learning, you’re not old.”

4. “In research, you need to know when to follow the rules and when to break them.”

5. “I had to prove myself not just to my peers, but to the world.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Rosalyn Sussman Yalow’s highest net worth is not well-documented, as she was primarily focused on her scientific research rather than financial gain. Her contributions to science and medicine are considered invaluable.