Norman Davidson (biologist)
Norman Ralph Davidson(April 5, 1916 – February 14, 2002) was an Americanmolecular biologistnotable for advancinggenomeresearch, member of theNational Academy of Sciences,received aNational Medal of Sciencefrom U.S. PresidentBill Clinton,was a professor atCaltech.[1][2][3][4]TheNew York Timescalled Davidson "major figure in advancing genome research... whose groundbreaking work in molecular biology led to the earliest understanding of the overall structure of genomes".[1] TheLos Angeles Timescalled him "a groundbreaking Caltech chemical biologist".[5] PresidentBill Clintoncited the scientist for "breakthroughs in chemistry and biology which have led to the earliest understanding of the overall structure of genomes".[5]
Career and life
[edit]Davidson was born in Chicago. He received B.S. degree in chemistry at theUniversity of Chicagoin 1937, and received another B.S. degree at theUniversity of Oxfordin 1939 as a Rhodes Scholar. In 1941 he received his Ph.D. degree in chemistry from theUniversity of Chicago.[2]Davidson was married to enamel artistAnnemarie Davidson.
Awards and distinctions
[edit]- In 1996, theNational Medal of Scienceby President Clinton[2]
- A founding member of the advisory council to theHuman Genome Project[2]
- The 1980 California Scientist of the Year[2]
- The Robert A.Welch Award in Chemistry(1989)[2][6]
- TheDickson Prizein Science (1985)[2]
- ThePeter Debye Awardby the American Chemical Society (1971)[2][7]
- A member of theNational Academy of Sciencesfor 42 years[2]
- A fellow of theAmerican Academy of Arts and Sciencessince 1984[2]
- An honorary doctorate from the University of Chicago[2]
References
[edit]- ^abNew York Times:Norman Davidson, 85, Major Figure In Advancing Genome Research, February 22, 2002
- ^abcdefghijkCaltech Molecular Biologist Norman Davidson Dies
- ^National Academies Press, Biographical Memoirs, Norman Davidson, by Henry A. Lester and Ahmed Zewail
- ^Caltech:My career in Molecular Biology
- ^abLA Times: Norman Davidson, 85; DNA Research Pioneer, Obituaries, February 19, 2002
- ^The brain fascinates Welch award winner, Carlos Byars Staff
- ^Jewish Recipients of the Peter Debye Award in Physical Chemistry
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