Grace Medes facts for kids

Grace Medes (born November 9, 1886 – died December 31, 1967) was an American scientist who studied biochemistry. She discovered a health problem called tyrosinosis, which is now known as tyrosinemia. This is a metabolic disorder, meaning it affects how the body uses food for energy. Grace Medes also studied how the body uses fatty acids. In 1955, she received the Garvan-Olin Medal for her important scientific work.

Grace Medes: Early Life and Education

Grace May Medes was born in Keokuk, Iowa. She loved learning and went to the University of Kansas. There, she earned two degrees in zoology, which is the study of animals. Later, she earned her PhD from Bryn Mawr College in 1916. A PhD is a very advanced degree that shows someone is an expert in their field.

Grace Medes's Career in Science

After finishing her studies, Grace Medes began teaching.

Teaching at Colleges

In 1916, Medes started teaching at Vassar College. She taught zoology and then became an assistant professor of physiology. Physiology is the study of how living things work. She was the first woman with a PhD to join the Physiology department at Vassar.

In 1922, she moved to Wellesley College. There, she continued to teach physiology.

Discovering Tyrosinosis

In 1924, Medes joined the University of Minnesota Medical School. While working there, she made a very important discovery in 1932. She found a human metabolic disorder she called "tyrosinosis."

Even though the patient she studied was unusual, her testing methods were very helpful. Scientists today still use similar ideas to study the disorder, which is now called tyrosinemia.

Researching Metabolism

In 1932, Grace Medes became the head of the metabolic chemistry department. This was at the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She focused on how the body uses sulfur and fatty acids. Her research helped other scientists later discover something important called Coenzyme A.

She worked at the institute for many years, until 1952. She continued as a senior researcher there until 1960.

Awards and Recognition

In 1955, Medes received the Garvan Medal. This award, now called the Garvan-Olin Medal, is given by the American Chemical Society. It honors outstanding women in chemistry.

Also in 1955, the University of Kansas recognized her as one of their five most distinguished alumni. This means she was one of their most successful former students.

Later Work and Legacy

Even after retiring, Grace Medes went back to studying tyrosinosis. She worked at the Fels Research Institute at Temple University. She also wrote a book called Normal Growth and Cancer (1963) with her colleague Stanley P. Reimann.

In 1965, a special meeting about tyrosinosis was held in Oslo, Norway. This meeting was held to honor her important work.

Grace Medes: Personal Life

Grace Medes passed away on December 31, 1967. She was 81 years old.