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Jonas Salk
Developing the first widely used vaccine against polio.
Inactivated polio vaccine · Independent research centre
- Born
- 28 October 1914
- Birthplace
- New York City, United States
- Died
- 23 June 1995
More people
Jonas Salk
An American medical researcher whose inactivated-virus vaccine helped change the course of a disease that paralysed children. He later established an independent institute for biological research.
Early life
New York education
Studied at City College of New York and earned a medical degree at New York University.
Research training
Worked with Thomas Francis Jr. on influenza vaccine research before concentrating on polio.
Career
- 1947
Pittsburgh laboratory
Took charge of virus research at the University of Pittsburgh.
- 1954–1955
Vaccine trials
Large field trials led to the announcement that the vaccine was effective.
- 1963
Salk Institute opens
His independent research institute began operating in La Jolla, California.
Contributions
Inactivated polio vaccine
Used killed poliovirus to stimulate protection against disease.
Independent research centre
Built an institution bringing together researchers across biological disciplines.
HIV research
Investigated an experimental therapeutic vaccine; it did not become an established cure.
Beyond medicine
Public recognition
Became a prominent public figure following the polio vaccine announcement.
Art and architecture
Worked with architect Louis Kahn on the institute and married artist Françoise Gilot in 1970.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Salk Institute biography ↗Photo: SAS Scandinavian Airlines. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
