Julia Levy facts for kids

Julia Levy is a Canadian scientist. She was born on May 15, 1934. She is known for her work with tiny living things (microbiology). She also studies how our bodies fight off sickness (immunology). Besides being a teacher, she also started her own business.

Early Life and Learning

Moving to Canada

Julia Coppens was born in Singapore. In 1940, when she was young, her family moved. Her father sent her mother and two daughters from their home in Indonesia to Vancouver, British Columbia. Her father joined them after World War II ended. He had been held in a Japanese prisoner of war camp.

University Studies

Julia went to school in Canada. She studied how our bodies fight off germs. This is called immunology. She also learned about tiny living things like bacteria. She earned her first degree from the University of British Columbia in 1955. Later, in 1958, she earned her PhD from the University of London. A PhD is a very high university degree. In 1959, she returned to the University of British Columbia. She started as a professor and later became a full professor.

Amazing Discoveries and Career

Fighting Cancer and Blindness

Julia Levy's research helped create a special treatment. It is called photodynamic therapy (PDT). This therapy uses light to treat diseases. At first, it was used to treat cancer. But it became very important for treating a type of blindness. This blindness is called age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is a main cause of vision loss in older people.

Joining a Biotech Company

In 1984, Julia Levy joined a company called Quadra Logic Technologies. This company later became QLT Inc. They worked on developing new medicines. In 1993, a PDT medicine called Photofrin was approved in Canada. It was used to treat bladder cancer. Later, it was approved in other countries for different types of cancer.

Helping People See Better

In the mid-1980s, Julia and her team found another PDT medicine. It was called verteporfin. QLT and its partner developed this medicine as Visudyne. Visudyne became a treatment for AMD. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Visudyne in 2000. It was then approved around the world. This treatment gave eye doctors a new way to help people. It helped those who had no other good treatment options for their eye problems.

Leading a Company

Julia Levy first worked as the Chief Scientific Officer at QLT. This meant she led all the science research. From 1995 to 2001, she became the Chief Executive Officer and President. She was in charge of the whole company. Because Visudyne was so successful, QLT became a very profitable company. This means it made a lot of money.

Expanding Her Research

Julia Levy also looked at using her methods for other diseases. These included HIV/AIDS, arthritis, and more ways to treat age-related macular degeneration.

Awards and Recognition

Julia Levy has received many honors for her work.

• In 1980, she became a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. This is a high honor for Canadian scholars.
• In 2000, she was named Pacific Canada Entrepreneur of the Year. This award recognized her success in business.
• In 2001, she became an Officer of the Order of Canada. This is one of Canada's highest civilian honors.
• She also received the Future of Vision Award.
• She got the Helen Keller Award for her help with vision.
• The British Columbia Biotechnology Association gave her a Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Many Canadian universities have given her honorary doctorates. These are special degrees given to honor great achievements.

The Chemical Institute of Canada has an award named after her. It is called the Julia Levy Award. It is given to people who successfully turn new ideas in science and engineering into useful products.

Personal Life

Julia Levy is married to Edwin Levy. They have two children together.

See also

In Spanish: Julia Levy para niños