Florence Meier Chase facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Florence Elizabeth Meier Chase
|
|
|---|---|
Florence E. Meier Chase c. 1930
|
|
| Born | 1902, exact date unknown |
| Died | May 6, 1978 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Wellesley College, University of Geneva |
| Known for | Research on algae |
| Spouse(s) | William Wiley Chase |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Algae |
Florence Elizabeth Meier Chase (born 1902 – died May 6, 1978) was an American botanist. She was a scientist who studied how sunlight affects algae at the Smithsonian Institution. Algae are simple plant-like living things, like seaweed.
Florence Chase was a respected member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She was also an honorary member of the Washington Botanical Society. She was married to Dr. William Wiley Chase. She helped him write articles about science and medicine.
Contents
Life and Education
Florence Chase was born in Springfield, Illinois. She loved learning about plants and science.
Early Studies
She earned her first degree, a B.A., from Wellesley College. Later, she earned her advanced degree, a Ph.D., from the University of Geneva in Switzerland.
Working in Science
Before moving to Washington, D.C., she worked as a research assistant. This was in the botany department at Columbia University.
In Washington, D.C., she joined the Smithsonian Institution. She worked at the Radiation Biology Laboratory (RBL). This lab was part of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.
Research on Algae
At the Smithsonian, Florence Chase studied photosynthesis. This is the process plants use to make their own food from sunlight. She also looked at how light makes things glow, which is called fluorescence.
She explored how some large ocean algae could be used as food. She called this her work on "Useful Algae." She also helped the Smithsonian's collections. She donated plants she found in Spain.
Florence Chase passed away in Manahawkin, New Jersey, in 1978. She was 75 years old.
An Unexpected Meeting
On February 14, 1937, Florence Meier was showing visitors around. This was at the Smithsonian Castle. She accidentally stepped backward. She forgot that an open trap door was behind her.
An Accident and a New Connection
She fell through the trap door to the floor below. She broke her back in the fall. She was taken to Garfield Memorial Hospital for care.
At the hospital, Dr. William Wiley Chase took care of her. He was the head of the surgery department. This was the first time they met. Later, Florence and William got married.
See also
In Spanish: Florence Meier Chase para niños
