William C. Campbell (scientist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William C. Campbell
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Campbell in 2015
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| Born | 28 June 1930 Ramelton, County Donegal, Ireland
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| Citizenship | Ireland United States (since 1964) |
| Alma mater | Trinity College Dublin University of Wisconsin-Madison (PhD) |
| Known for | Discovery of avermectin |
| Awards | Membership of NAS (2002) Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2015) FRS (2020) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Parasitology |
| Institutions | Merck & Co. Drew University |
| Thesis | Fascioloides magna (trematoda) with special reference to the adult in relation to disease (1957) |
William Cecil Campbell was born on June 28, 1930. He is an Irish-American scientist who studies tiny living things (a microbiologist). He is famous for helping find a new way to treat infections caused by roundworms. For this important discovery, he won the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
He helped discover a group of medicines called avermectins. These medicines are very good at treating diseases like River blindness and Lymphatic filariasis. These diseases are caused by parasites and affect both animals and people. Campbell worked at the Merck Institute for Therapeutic Research from 1957 to 1990. Later, he became a research fellow at Drew University.
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His Life and Discoveries
William Campbell was born in Ramelton, Ireland, in 1930. He was the third son of a farmer's supplier. He went to Trinity College, Dublin and studied Zoology, finishing with top grades in 1952.
After that, he went to the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the United States. He earned his PhD degree in 1957. His studies focused on a parasite called the liver fluke, which affects sheep.
Working at Merck
From 1957 to 1990, Campbell worked at the Merck Institute for Therapeutic Research. From 1984 to 1990, he was a Senior Scientist and Director there. He became a citizen of the United States in 1964.
While at Merck, he helped discover a medicine called thiabendazole. This medicine is used to treat plant diseases like potato blight. It also helps treat a human infection called trichinosis.
Fighting Parasitic Diseases
Campbell is best known for his work on diseases caused by parasites. A Japanese microbiologist named Satoshi Ōmura found many types of natural bacteria in soil. These bacteria belonged to a group called Streptomyces.
Campbell led a team at Merck that studied Ōmura's bacteria. They looked for ways to treat parasites in animals. From one type of bacteria, Streptomyces avermitilis, they found a special substance. After changing it a bit, they named it ivermectin.
In 1978, Campbell realized that if this medicine worked for worms in horses, it might also help people. In 1981, Merck tested the medicine for river blindness in humans. The tests were successful. When people took the medicine, it stopped the parasitic worm that causes the illness. Merck also studied how to use it for elephantiasis. The work of Satoshi Ōmura, William Campbell, and their teams created a whole new group of medicines for treating parasites.
Helping People Worldwide
In 1987, Merck decided to give away Ivermectin (Mectizan) to developing countries. Campbell played a big part in this decision. They worked with the World Health Organization to create a special program to give out the medicine. Their goal was to get rid of river blindness.
By 2001, about 25 million people were being treated each year. This happened in 33 countries in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. By 2013, the disease was officially gone in Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico.
Campbell believes that scientists should think about the whole world. He said, "We have a moral obligation to look after each other."
After Merck
From 1990 to 2010, Campbell was a research fellow at Drew University. He helped college students with their research and taught classes about parasites. He also wrote about the history of studying parasites during trips to Antarctica.
In 2002, Campbell became a member of the United States National Academy of Sciences. In 2015, he and Satoshi Ōmura shared half of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. They won for their research on treatments for roundworm parasites using avermectin. Campbell is one of several Irish people to win a Nobel Prize.
Personal Life
William C. Campbell is married to Mary Mastin Campbell. He enjoys writing poetry and painting. He also likes playing table tennis and kayaking.
Awards and Honors
- 2002: Member of the National Academy of Sciences
- 2008: ASP Distinguished Service Award from the American Society of Parasitologists
- 2015: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering avermectin – shared with Satoshi Ōmura and Tu Youyou
- 2020: Fellowship of the Royal Society
- 2021: St Patrick's Day Science Medal from Science Foundation Ireland
See also
In Spanish: William C. Campbell (científico) para niños
