Rosalyn Yalow

Rosalyn Sussman Yalow

Rosalyn Yalow, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine

Born	(1921-07-19)July 19, 1921
Birth place	New York City, New York, United States
Died	May 30, 2011(2011-05-30) (aged 89)
Place of death	The Bronx, New York City, New York, United States
Nationality	American
Known for	Radioimmunoassay
Awards	Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1977)

Rosalyn Sussman Yalow (July 19, 1921 – May 30, 2011) was an American medical physicist and a co-winner of the 1977 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. She was recognized for her development of the radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique, a groundbreaking method that allowed for the measurement of minute quantities of biological substances in the body.

Early Life and Education

Rosalyn Yalow was born in New York City to a Jewish family. She showed an early aptitude for science and mathematics, which led her to pursue higher education in these fields. Yalow attended Hunter College, where she graduated with a degree in physics in 1941. Despite the challenges faced by women in science at the time, she was determined to continue her studies and was accepted into the graduate program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she earned her Ph.D. in nuclear physics in 1945.

Career and Research

After completing her doctorate, Yalow returned to New York and began working at the Bronx Veterans Administration Hospital. It was here that she met Dr. Solomon Berson, with whom she would collaborate on the development of the radioimmunoassay technique. Their work focused on the use of radioactive isotopes to trace and measure hormones in the blood, a method that revolutionized endocrinology and clinical medicine.

The radioimmunoassay technique developed by Yalow and Berson allowed for the precise measurement of insulin levels in diabetic patients, among other applications. This technique has since been applied to a wide range of biological substances, including hormones, vitamins, and drugs, making it an invaluable tool in both research and clinical diagnostics.

Nobel Prize and Legacy

In 1977, Rosalyn Yalow was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her contributions to the development of the radioimmunoassay. She was the first American-born woman to receive the Nobel Prize in this category. Her work has had a lasting impact on the field of medical diagnostics and has paved the way for further advancements in the detection and treatment of various diseases.

Yalow was also a passionate advocate for women in science, often speaking about the challenges she faced and encouraging young women to pursue careers in scientific fields. Her legacy continues to inspire future generations of scientists.

Personal Life

Rosalyn Yalow was married to Aaron Yalow, and they had two children. She balanced her professional career with her family life, often speaking about the importance of both.

Also see

• Radioimmunoassay
• Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
• Women in science
• Endocrinology