Flossie Wong-Staal

Flossie Wong-Staal (cropped)

Flossie Wong-Staal (August 27, 1946 – July 8, 2020) was a Chinese-American virologist and molecular biologist. She is renowned for her significant contributions to the field of HIV/AIDS research. Wong-Staal was the first scientist to clone HIV and determine the function of its genes, a major step in proving that HIV is the cause of AIDS.

Early Life and Education

Flossie Wong-Staal was born Yee Ching Wong in Guangzhou, China. Her family moved to Hong Kong when she was a child. She attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in bacteriology in 1968. She continued her education at UCLA, obtaining a Ph.D. in molecular biology in 1972.

Career

Early Research

After completing her Ph.D., Wong-Staal joined the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Bethesda, Maryland. At the NCI, she worked in the laboratory of Robert Gallo, where she began her groundbreaking research on retroviruses.

HIV/AIDS Research

In the early 1980s, Wong-Staal's research focused on the newly discovered Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). In 1985, she became the first scientist to clone HIV, which was a pivotal moment in understanding the virus's genetic structure. This achievement allowed for the development of HIV tests and furthered the understanding of how the virus causes AIDS.

Wong-Staal's work also involved identifying the function of various HIV genes, which was crucial for the development of antiretroviral drugs. Her research provided a foundation for the development of HIV/AIDS treatment strategies.

Later Career

In 1990, Wong-Staal moved to the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where she became a professor of medicine and the director of the Center for AIDS Research. At UCSD, she continued her research on HIV and other viral diseases.

In 2002, Wong-Staal co-founded iTherX Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company focused on developing treatments for hepatitis C.

Awards and Honors

Throughout her career, Flossie Wong-Staal received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to science and medicine. She was elected to the Institute of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She was also named one of the top 50 women scientists by Discover Magazine in 2002.

Personal Life

Flossie Wong-Staal was married to Stephen Staal, with whom she had two daughters. She passed away on July 8, 2020, in La Jolla, California.

Legacy

Flossie Wong-Staal's pioneering work in the field of HIV/AIDS research has had a lasting impact on the scientific community and public health. Her contributions have paved the way for advancements in the diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of HIV/AIDS.

See Also

• HIV
• AIDS
• Retrovirus
• Antiretroviral drug
• University of California, San Diego
• National Cancer Institute