Biochemistry is an extremely important and interesting scientific field. It studies organic substances, their structure, distribution, role in the body, etc. This science was formed at the end of the 19th century. Since then, various prominent figures had carried out a lot of research and discoveries that have forever entered world history. About one of the famous representatives of the biochemical world we will tell in our material. What does society remember about her? What did she leave her followers with? Find out more interesting and informative at the bronx.name.
Childhood, adolescence and the first steps in career
Mildred Cohn was born on July 12, 1913 in the Bronx. In the borough of New York the girl grew, developed and studied. She was an extremely curious child and studied scientific fields with great interest. After graduating from high school, young Mildred entered Hunter College, one of the largest city universities in New York. The educational institution was famous for the fact that here it was possible to obtain a degree in more than a hundred different specialties. A native of the Bronx chose it because the local education was free and accessible to all women, regardless of race, religion and other factors. Cohn was an exemplary and diligent student. She understood that she wanted to build her own career in science and went towards this goal. In 1931, she received a bachelor’s diploma with honors. However, her studies did not end there. The girl entered the private Columbia University. It is one of the most famous as well as prestigious institutions in America and belongs to the elite association, the Ivy League. It is not easy to enter there, but the knowledge and diligence of the girl made it possible to achieve this. There the scientist received a master’s degree. Her long and rich professional path began full of aссomplishments and outstanding achievements. After graduation, the girl began working in the US federal agency National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. There, the Bronx native worked for two years and then returned to her native Columbia University. The girl delved into scientific research. She wrote a dissertation on oxygen isotopes and received a doctorate in physical chemistry. Mildred Cohn became a highly qualified specialist in the world of science. It was clear that she would devote her whole life to this. It turned out to be the case.
Outstanding achievements of the famous scientist
The woman was a research assistant in the laboratory at Washington University in St. Louis. For a long time, she worked with Vincent du Vigneaud, a famous American biochemist. Such cooperation turned out to be highly useful and productive for Mildred. Together, they studied sulfur and amino acid metabolism involving isotopic indicators. Teammates managed to make a number of important discoveries in this direction. It is Cohn who is considered to be one of the first scientists, who used isotope indicators in the process of studying the metabolism of sulfur-containing compounds.
Later, the woman received a position in the research department at the Washington University School of Medicine. There, Cohn received plenty of opportunities and the freedom of action. This period was marked for her by a number of important discoveries. The woman was engaged in the research of the reaction of phosphorus with adenosine triphosphate. She also used a radioisotope of oxygen. In such a way she determined that the phosphorylation process and water are part of the electron transfer system during oxidative phosphorylation.
In 1960, Mildred began working at the private University of Pennsylvania, where she received the position of associate professor of biophysics and biochemistry. There she later became a professor.
Mildred Cohn achieved great success in the world industry and also received universal recognition. She is the first woman in history to receive the prestigious award from the American Heart Association. In 1968, the Bronx native became a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Cohn later joined the ranks of the US National Academy of Sciences. There she headed the committee on the status of women. Not only did she devote all her time to scientific research, but also fought for the rights of women in this area. Her efforts were highly appreciated: in 1983, the US President Ronald Reagan presented the woman with the National Medal of Science.
Mildred Cohn is a worthy example for her followers. She demonstrated that due to one’s own efforts and persistent work it is possible to achieve enormous success.