Albert L. Lehninger facts for kids

Albert Lester Lehninger (born February 17, 1917 – died March 4, 1986) was an American biochemist. He studied how living things get and use energy. This field is called bioenergetics.

Lehninger made big discoveries about how cells use energy. In 1948, he and Eugene P. Kennedy found something important. They learned that mitochondria (often called the "powerhouses" of cells) are where cells make most of their energy. This process is called oxidative phosphorylation. This discovery changed how scientists studied energy in living things.

He also wrote several famous science books. His most well-known book is Principles of Biochemistry. Many college students still use this book to learn about biochemistry.

Early Life and Learning

Albert Lehninger was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in the United States. He first studied English at Wesleyan University. He earned his first degree in 1939.

Later, he went to the University of Wisconsin–Madison. There, he earned two more degrees: a Master's degree in 1940 and a PhD in 1942. For his PhD, he researched how liver cells use fats to create energy.

His Work as a Professor

After finishing his studies, Lehninger taught at different universities. He worked at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the University of Chicago.

In 1952, he moved to the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He became a special professor there. He held this important job until 1978. Then, he became a University Professor of Medical Sciences. He kept this title until he passed away in 1986.

Awards and Honors

Albert Lehninger received many awards for his important work. Here are some of them:

• 1948 – Paul-Lewis Award in Enzyme Chemistry
• 1951 – Guggenheim Fellowship
• 1956 – Elected to the National Academy of Sciences (a group of top scientists)
• 1959 – Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
• 1969 – Remsen Award from the American Chemical Society
• 1970 – Elected to the American Philosophical Society
• 1986 – Passano Foundation Award