Elizabeth McCoy (microbiologist)

Elizabeth McCoy (February 1, 1903 – March 24, 1978) was an American microbiologist and a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Biography

McCoy was born in Madison, Wisconsin, February 1, 1903.[1] Her parents, Esther Williamson and Cassis James McCoy, were both college educated.[2] Her mother was a professor and then an active practicing nurse for six years.[2] McCoy's mother taught her basic microbiology and about respiratory diseases. Her father was a professor at the college but for health reasons had to retire. While growing up, McCoy was already interested in microbiology.

McCoy received her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in 1929. She joined the school's faculty after earning her degree and was one of the first women to become a full professor there. Her research included significant contributions in multiple areas within microbiology, and she became one of the first prominent women within the field. While working on a government project at the University of Wisconsin during World War II, McCoy discovered a Penicillium strain producing 900 times as much penicillin as Alexander Fleming's strain;[3] this discovery enabled to the drug's widespread commercial production.[4][5]

McCoy had many other research accomplishments. She developed the antibiotic oligomycin; while the drug never became a useful treatment for disease, it is still used in research.[6] She also was part of the team that first discovered Moorella thermoacetica,[7] a model organism important to developing our understanding of the Acetyl Co-A metabolic pathway.[8] McCoy's other research included work in soil microbiology, the microbiology of water bodies, and botulism.[4][9]

McCoy's house in Fitchburg, where she lived from 1949 until her death,[1] is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Select publications
  • The anaerobic bacteria and their activities in nature and disease; a subject bibliography, 1939 and 1941
  • Role of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle in lakes, 1972
  • The anaerobic bacteria and their activities in nature and disease, 1941
  • A cytological and histological study of the root nodules of the bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L., 1929
  • The anaerobic bacteria and their activities in nature and disease

References
  1. "UW Prof. McCoy Dies Friday at 75". Wisconsin State Journal. March 26, 1978. p. 4. Retrieved March 3, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "American Society for Microbiology". www.asm.org. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  3. Stanley, Autumn (1995). Mothers and Daughters of Invention: Notes for a Revised History of Technology. Rutgers University Press. p. 124. ISBN 978-0813521978.
  4. Wayne, Tiffany K. (2011). American Women of Science Since 1900, Volume 1. ABC-CLIO. p. 672. ISBN 9781598841589.
  5. Shoptaugh, Terry L., and Whitney Gould. National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form: McCoy Farmhouse. National Park Service. December 3, 1979. Accompanied by photos.
  6. Fisher, Madeline (November 3, 2003). "Discovery provides reminder of bacteriology prof". University of Wisconsin News. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  7. Fontaine, F.E.; Peterson, W.H.; McCoy, Elizabeth; Johson, Marvin J.; Ritter, George J. (1941). "A new type of glucose fermentation by clostridium thermoaceticum n.sp". Journal of Bacteriology. 43 (6): 701–715. doi:10.1128/JB.43.6.701-715.1942. PMC 373636. PMID 16560531.
  8. Drake, Harold L.; Daniel, Steven L. (2004). "Physiology of the thermophilic acetogenMoorella thermoacetica". Research in Microbiology. 155 (6): 869–883. doi:10.1016/j.resmic.2004.03.003. PMC 373636. PMID 16560531.
  9. Batt, James R. (June 1978). "Elizabeth, remembered". Wisconsin Academy Review. 24 (3): 3–6. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.