Edwin T. Mertz
Edwin Theodore Mertz (December 6, 1909 – February 1, 1999) was an American chemist and biochemist. [1] [2] [3] Mertz was noted for co-discovery of high-lysine corn which significantly increased protein levels in corn and beans.[1][2][3] Purdue University has established Edwin T. Mertz Memorial Scholarship in his name.[3] Mertz was a member of the National Academy of Sciences,[2][3] professor of Biochemistry at Purdue (1946–1976)[2][3] and a recipient of the following awards and distinctions:
- the Richard Newbury McCoy Award from Purdue University (1967)[2]
- the John Scott Award in from the City of Philadelphia (1967)[2]
- the Hoblitzelle National Award in the Agricultural Sciences (Texas) (1968)[2]
- the Congressional Medal of the Federal Land Banks in for the discovery of high-lysine corn (1968)[2]
- the Kenneth A Spencer award from the American Chemical Society (1970)[2]
- the Osborne-Mendell Award from the American Institute of Nutrition (1972)[2]
- the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Montana (1973)[2]
- the Edward W. Browning Award in for "outstanding contributions to mankind in the improvement of the food supply" (1974)[2]
- the Honorary Master Farmer Award of the Prairie Farmer Magazine "for leadership and distinguished service to American Agriculture} (1975)[2]
- elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1975[2]
Life and career
- 1909 born in Missoula, Montana
- 1931 B.A with a double major in chemistry and mathematics from the University of Montana
- 1933 M.S. from the University of Illinois, Urbana
- 1935 Ph.D. from the University of Illinois[2]
- 1935-1937 a research biochemist at Armour and Company in Chicago
- 1937-1938 an instructor in biochemistry at the University of Illinois
- 1937 married Mary Ellen Ruskamp
- 1938-1940 a research associate in pathology at the University of Iowa's medical school
- 1940-1943 an instructor in agricultural chemistry at the University of Missouri
- 1943-1946 a research chemist in an explosives manufacturing factory at Hercules Powder Company
- 1946-1950 an assistant professor of agricultural chemistry at Purdue University
- 1950-1957 an associate professor of biochemistry at Purdue University
- 1957 a professor of biochemistry at Purdue University[2]
- professor emeritus at Purdue University until his death in 1999
- 1975 elected to the National Academy of Sciences[2]
- 1999 death from complications of pneumonia
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Search for Protein Crucial In Struggle Against Hunger; Studied Protein in Corn;By JANE E. BRODY; October 11, 1974
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 National Academies Press:Biographical Memoirs:Edwin Theodore Mertz; By John E. Halver
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Purdue University:Agriculture and Biochemistry;Mertz Scholarship