Clement Finch

Clement A. Finch

Clement A. Finch, renowned hematologist

Born	July 4, 1915
Birth place	New York City, New York, USA
Died	June 28, 2010
Place of death	Seattle, Washington, USA
Nationality	American
Known for	Research on iron metabolism

Clement Alfred Finch (July 4, 1915 – June 28, 2010) was a pioneering American hematologist, often referred to as the "father of iron metabolism research." His groundbreaking work significantly advanced the understanding of how iron is absorbed, transported, and stored in the human body.

Early Life and Education

Clement Finch was born in New York City, New York. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Dartmouth College, where he developed an interest in the biological sciences. Finch went on to earn his medical degree from the University of Rochester in 1941. During his time at Rochester, he was influenced by prominent figures in the field of hematology, which shaped his future research interests.

Career and Research

After completing his medical degree, Finch served in the United States Army Medical Corps during World War II. Following his military service, he joined the faculty at the University of Washington in Seattle, where he spent the majority of his career.

Finch's research focused primarily on the mechanisms of iron metabolism. He was instrumental in elucidating the processes by which iron is absorbed in the intestine, transported in the bloodstream, and stored in the liver and other tissues. His work laid the foundation for understanding disorders such as iron deficiency anemia and hemochromatosis.

One of Finch's notable contributions was his research on the role of transferrin, a protein that binds and transports iron in the blood. He also studied the regulation of iron absorption and the impact of various physiological and pathological conditions on iron metabolism.

Awards and Honors

Clement Finch received numerous accolades for his contributions to medicine and science. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences and received the American Society of Hematology's Henry M. Stratton Medal. His work has had a lasting impact on the field of hematology and continues to influence research and clinical practice today.

Personal Life

Finch was married to Lois Finch, and together they had three children. He was known for his dedication to teaching and mentoring young scientists and physicians. Finch was also an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hiking and skiing in the Pacific Northwest.

Legacy

Clement Finch's legacy lives on through the many students and colleagues he mentored, as well as through the ongoing research in iron metabolism that builds upon his foundational work. The Clement A. Finch Professorship in Hematology at the University of Washington was established in his honor to support continued excellence in research and education in the field of hematology.

Also see

• Iron metabolism
• Hematology
• Transferrin
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Hemochromatosis