Anthony W. Norman

Anthony W. Norman was a distinguished professor emeritus of biochemistry and biomedical sciences at the University of California, Riverside and one of the world's foremost experts on vitamin D.[1]

Anthony W. Norman
BornJanuary 1938
Ames, IA
DiedJune 14, 2019(2019-06-14) (aged 81)
Alma materOberlin College B.S. - 1959, University of Wisconsin, Madison M.S - 1961 - Ph.D - 1963
Known forKey discoveries in the biochemistry and mechanisms of action of Vitamin D
Spouse(s)Dr. Helen Henry
Scientific career
Fieldsbiochemistry, biomedical science, Vitamin D
InstitutionsUniversity of California, Riverside, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Utrecht, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, University of California, San Francisco
Doctoral advisorDr. H.F. Deluca

Vitamin D Research

Norman's research was in the area of cellular and molecular endocrinology, where he was internationally known for his breakthroughs in the study of vitamin D.[2] This included the mechanisms of action of the steroid hormone 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, vitamin D structure-function relationships, and actions of the vitamin D receptor (VDR).[1]

In 1967, Norman's lab discovered that vitamin D is converted into a steroid hormone by the body. In 1969 he determined that vitamin D receptors (VDR) were present in the intestine.[3]

In 1971 the Norman laboratory reported the chemical structure of the active form of vitamin D to be 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (which is also known as 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and 1α,25-(OH)2D3).[4]

In 1972, Norman in collaboration with Dr. Jack Coburn at the UCLA medical school treated the first uremic patients with the steroid hormone, produced in the Norman laboratory.[5]

Norman and others, including Dr. Cedric Garland of UC San Diego, in 2007/8 made the recommendation that the daily intake of vitamin D for adults be revised to 2000 international units.[6][7]

Vitamin D workshops

One of his most recognised achievements was the organisation of 15 international Vitamin D Workshops which usually ran every three years from 1973 to 2012.[8]

Selected honors and awards
  • Presidential Chair, Biochemistry Department, UCR 7/1/99 - 2009
  • Graduate Student Mentor Award, UCR, June 2005
  • Fellow of American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1995
  • William F. Neuman Award, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, 1995
  • MERIT Award from National Institutes of Health, 1986-1993 (standard award period is five years)
  • Osborne & Mendel Award, American Institute of Nutrition, 1990
  • Faculty Research Lecturer, University of California, Riverside, 1982
  • Prix Andre Lichtwitz, INSERM, Paris, France, 1981
  • Ernst Oppenheimer Award, Endocrine Society, 1977
  • Mead Johnson Award, American Institute of Nutrition, 1977
  • Fulbright Fellowship, 1970/71

Other Achievements
  • Chair of the UCR Department of Biochemistry, July 1976 - June 1981
  • Dean of UCR Biomedical Sciences Program, July 1986 - Sept. 1991.
  • Chair of the UCR Faculty Academic Senate from Sept. 2008 through August 2010.
  • Faculty athletic representative for the UC Riverside Athletics Department through Sept. 2010.[2]

Publications

Through May, 2011, Norman had been credited with over 800 scientific publications dating back to 1959.

Personal

His wife, Helen Henry, predeceased him in 2018. He has three children and nine grandchildren.[2]

References
  1. Norman, AW (2001). "On becoming a molecular endocrinologist". Steroids. 66 (3–5): 129–36. doi:10.1016/s0039-128x(00)00231-2. PMID 11179720. S2CID 28973187.
  2. CNAS Dean's Office. "Remembering Distinguished Professor Emeritus Anthony Norman (1938-2019)". UCR. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  3. University of California (13 Nov. 2008). "Vitamin D Expert at UC Riverside Leads UC Scientists' Call Recommending Increase in Daily Vitamin D Intake". Press release
  4. Norman, AW; Myrtle, JF; Midgett, RJ; Nowicki, HG; Williams, V; Popják, G (2 July 1971). "1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol: identification of the proposed active form of vitamin D3 in the intestine". Science. 173 (3991): 51–4. Bibcode:1971Sci...173...51N. doi:10.1126/science.173.3991.51. PMID 4325863. S2CID 35236666.
  5. Brickman, AS; Coburn, JW; Norman, AW (2 November 1972). "Action of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, a potent, kidney-produced metabolite of vitamin D, in uremic man". The New England Journal of Medicine. 287 (18): 891–5. doi:10.1056/NEJM197211022871801. PMID 4342432.
  6. Vieth, R; Bischoff-Ferrari, H; Boucher, BJ; Dawson-Hughes, B; Garland, CF; Heaney, RP; Holick, MF; Hollis, BW; Lamberg-Allardt, C; McGrath, JJ; Norman, AW; Scragg, R; Whiting, SJ; Willett, WC; Zittermann, A (March 2007). "The urgent need to recommend an intake of vitamin D that is effective". The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 85 (3): 649–50. doi:10.1093/ajcn/85.3.649. PMID 17344484.
  7. Vitamin D Society (24 Nov. 2008). "Raise 'D' to 2,000 IU Daily: 18 Experts". "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2011-05-27.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. Norman, AW; Bikle, D; Bouillon, R (July 2013). "Fifteenth vitamin D workshop". The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 136: 1–2. doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2013.05.013. PMC 4102609. PMID 23768771.
  • "On Becoming a Molecular Endocrinologist", Steroids 66 (2001) p. 129
  • Vitamin D Workshop
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