Donald Fredrickson

Donald Fredrickson

Born	August 8, 1924
Birth place	Cañon City, Colorado, USA
Died	June 7, 2002
Place of death	Bethesda, Maryland, USA
Nationality	American
Known for	Research on lipid metabolism, Director of the NIH

Donald Sharp Fredrickson (August 8, 1924 – June 7, 2002) was an American physician and biochemist renowned for his research in lipid metabolism and his leadership at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He served as the Director of the NIH from 1975 to 1981.

Early Life and Education

Donald Fredrickson was born in Cañon City, Colorado. He pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Colorado and later attended the University of Michigan Medical School, where he earned his M.D. in 1949. His early interest in biochemistry and medicine led him to a career focused on the study of lipid disorders.

Career

Fredrickson began his career at the National Heart Institute, a part of the NIH, where he conducted pioneering research on lipid metabolism. His work contributed significantly to the understanding of hyperlipidemia and its role in cardiovascular disease.

Research on Lipid Metabolism

Fredrickson is best known for his classification of hyperlipidemias, which became known as the Fredrickson classification. This system categorizes lipid disorders based on the patterns of lipoproteins in the blood, aiding in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions. His research provided a foundation for understanding the genetic and biochemical basis of lipid disorders.

Leadership at the NIH

In 1975, Fredrickson was appointed as the Director of the NIH. During his tenure, he advocated for increased funding for biomedical research and emphasized the importance of basic science in medical advancements. He also played a crucial role in the development of policies regarding the ethical conduct of research.

Later Life and Legacy

After stepping down as Director of the NIH in 1981, Fredrickson continued to contribute to the field of medicine through his work with various scientific organizations and publications. He was a member of the National Academy of Sciences and received numerous awards for his contributions to medical science.

Fredrickson passed away on June 7, 2002, in Bethesda, Maryland. His legacy lives on through his contributions to the understanding of lipid metabolism and his leadership in the scientific community.

Also see

• Lipid metabolism
• Hyperlipidemia
• National Institutes of Health
• Fredrickson classification