Berta Scharrer

Berta Scharrer

Berta Scharrer (December 1, 1906 – July 23, 1995) was a pioneering neuroendocrinologist who is often credited with founding the field of neuroendocrinology. Her work significantly advanced the understanding of how the nervous system and the endocrine system interact.

Early Life and Education

Berta Vogel was born in Munich, Germany. She studied zoology at the University of Munich, where she earned her Ph.D. in 1930. During her time at the university, she met her future husband, Ernst Scharrer, who was also a prominent scientist in the field of neuroendocrinology.

Career and Research

After completing her Ph.D., Berta Scharrer worked at the University of Munich and later at the University of Frankfurt. In 1937, due to the rise of the Nazi regime, the Scharrers emigrated to the United States. They both secured positions at the University of Colorado.

Berta Scharrer's research focused on the role of neurosecretory cells in the brain and their influence on hormone secretion. Her groundbreaking work demonstrated that neurosecretory cells could produce and release hormones, thus bridging the gap between the nervous and endocrine systems. This discovery was pivotal in establishing the field of neuroendocrinology.

Awards and Honors

Throughout her career, Berta Scharrer received numerous awards and honors, including:

• The National Medal of Science in 1983
• Membership in the National Academy of Sciences
• The Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research

Legacy

Berta Scharrer's contributions to neuroendocrinology have had a lasting impact on the field. Her work laid the foundation for future research on the interactions between the nervous and endocrine systems, influencing a wide range of studies in biology, medicine, and neuroscience.

Related Pages

• Neuroendocrinology
• Neurosecretory cell
• Endocrine system
• Nervous system
• Ernst Scharrer