James Wyngaarden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Wyngaarden
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James B. Wyngaarden and David Korn, former Chairman of the National Cancer Advisory Board, National Cancer Institute.
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| 12th Director of the National Institutes of Health | |
| In office April 29, 1982 – July 31, 1989 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan George H. W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Donald Fredrickson |
| Succeeded by | Bernadine Healy |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Barnes Wyngaarden
October 19, 1924 Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| Died | June 14, 2019 (aged 94) Durham, North Carolina |
| Children | 5 |
| Alma mater |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | purine biosynthesis and the genetics of gout |
| Institutions | |
James Barnes Wyngaarden (October 19, 1924 – June 14, 2019) was an important American doctor, scientist, and leader in medicine. He helped write major medical books. He also led the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from 1982 to 1989. The NIH is a big government agency that does health research. James Wyngaarden had five children, four daughters and one son.
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A Life in Medical Research
James Wyngaarden was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This was on October 19, 1924. He grew up to become a very respected doctor. He was also a top researcher. He spent his life working to understand and improve human health.
His Education and Early Career
James Wyngaarden studied at Western Michigan University. He then went to the University of Michigan Medical School. This is where he became a doctor. After his studies, he worked at different universities. These included Duke University School of Medicine and the University of Pennsylvania. He focused on how our bodies work. He especially studied conditions like gout. Gout is a type of arthritis that causes joint pain.
Leading the National Institutes of Health
One of James Wyngaarden's most important roles was leading the National Institutes of Health. He was the director from 1982 to 1989. During this time, he worked under two presidents. These were Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. The NIH is a huge part of the U.S. government. It supports a lot of medical research. This research helps us understand diseases. It also helps find new ways to treat them. As director, Wyngaarden helped guide many important health discoveries.
Important Achievements
James Wyngaarden was known for his research. He studied how our bodies make certain chemicals. These chemicals are called purines. His work helped us understand diseases like gout better. He was also a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. This is a very special honor. It shows how important his scientific work was around the world. He passed away on June 14, 2019, in Durham, North Carolina.
