Elwood V. Jensen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elwood V. Jensen
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Elwood Vernon Jensen
January 13, 1920 Fargo, North Dakota, U.S.
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| Died | December 16, 2012 (aged 92) Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
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| Known for | cancer research |
| Awards | Brinker International Award (2004) Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research (2004) |
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| Institutions | University of Cincinnati |
Elwood Vernon Jensen (born January 13, 1920 – died December 16, 2012) was an important American scientist. He was known for his work on cancer research, especially breast cancer. He taught at the University of Cincinnati and was a leader in understanding how hormones work in the body. In 2004, he won a big award called the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research for his discoveries.
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About Elwood Jensen
Elwood Jensen was born in Fargo, North Dakota, in the United States. He went to Wittenberg University and earned his first degree in 1940. Later, he got his PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Chicago in 1944.
His Research on Hormones
Starting in 1947, Jensen began studying hormones at the University of Chicago. Hormones are like chemical messengers in your body that control many things. He focused on a type of hormone called steroid hormones.
He made a very important discovery: he found something called "estrogen receptors." Think of these as special "locks" on cells that only estrogen (a female hormone) can "unlock." He realized that these receptors play a big role in breast cancer.
Working with Other Scientists
Jensen worked closely with Charles Huggins, who was a Nobel laureate (someone who won a Nobel Prize). In 1951, Jensen joined a research team at the Ben May Laboratory for Cancer. He later became the director of this lab after Huggins retired.
In 1958, Jensen was the first to describe the estrogen receptor. This was a huge step forward in understanding how hormones affect the body. He also discovered a whole group of similar receptors called "nuclear hormone receptors." These receptors help control how bodies develop and how they use energy.
Later Career
Jensen started working at the University of Cincinnati in 2002. He continued his important research there until 2011. He passed away in 2012 at the age of 92 from pneumonia in Cincinnati.
Awards and Honors
Elwood Jensen received many awards for his groundbreaking work. Here are some of them:
- 1963: He received an honorary degree (DSc) from Wittenberg College.
- 1974: He became a member of the United States National Academy of Sciences, which is a very high honor for scientists.
- 1980: He received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement.
- 2002: He was given the Brinker International Award.
- 2004: He won the prestigious Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research. This award is often called "America's Nobel."
- 2005: He received an honorary medical degree (MD) from the University of Athens.
