Date of Birth: December 30, 1930
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Biography
Tu Youyou is a renowned Chinese pharmaceutical chemist and malariologist, celebrated for her groundbreaking discovery of artemisinin, a drug that has significantly reduced the mortality rates of malaria. Born in Ningbo, Zhejiang, China, Tu developed an interest in traditional Chinese medicine and pharmacology at an early age. She graduated from the Beijing Medical University School of Pharmacy in 1955 and later conducted research at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. In the 1960s and 1970s, during China’s Cultural Revolution, she led Project 523, a secret research initiative aimed at finding a treatment for malaria. Her discovery of artemisinin, derived from the sweet wormwood plant (Artemisia annua), earned her the Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award in 2011 and the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2015, making her the first Chinese woman to receive a Nobel Prize in any category.
5 Interesting Facts about Tu Youyou
1. Tu Youyou is the first Chinese citizen to receive the Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award.
2. She has no formal PhD degree, which is rare for a Nobel laureate.
3. Tu Youyou’s work on artemisinin has saved millions of lives, especially in malaria-endemic regions.
4. She was inspired by ancient Chinese medical texts to explore the properties of the sweet wormwood plant.
5. Despite her groundbreaking work, Tu remained relatively unknown until she received international recognition in the 21st century.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Tu Youyou
1. “Every scientist dreams of doing something that can help the world.”
2. “The discovery of artemisinin was a gift to mankind from traditional Chinese medicine.”
3. “In science, you need to be persistent. You need to have the courage to explore the unknown.”
4. “I never thought about fame or glory; I just wanted to help people.”
5. “The success of artemisinin is a team effort, involving many scientists and researchers.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
$10 million (estimated at the peak of her career)
Children
Tu Youyou has two daughters, one of whom is named Ning Xia.
Relevant Links
1. [Nobel Prize Biography](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2015/tu/biographical/
2. [BBC Profile](https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-34431659
4. [Nature Article](https://www.nature.com/articles/526174a
5. [Lasker Foundation Biography](http://www.laskerfoundation.org/awards/show/artemisinin/
