1921 – 2011

Developed radioimmunology methods as screening test for cancers

Enshrined: 1986

Rosalyn S. Yalow was born on July 19, 1921 in New York City. Neither of her parents graduated from high school, but she graduated from Walton Girls High School at the age of 15. From there, Yalow went right to Hunter College. While attending the school she studied physics and chemistry. In 1941, Yalow graduated Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude.

Yalow was denied entry into graduate programs for three main reasons: she was a woman, she was Jewish, and she was from New York. In order to overcome these limitations, Yalow obtained a secretarial job at Columbia University. As an employee of the university, she was permitted to take night classes. Eventually, Yalow was offered a job at the University of Illinois at Urbana where she met her husband, Aaron. Rosalyn and Aaron received their doctorate degrees in physics together in 1945.

Rosalyn later became a full-time medical researcher at Bronx VA Hospital. It was there that she and Solomon Berson co-discovered the radio immunoassay (RIA). The RIA enabled scientists to measure insulin and other hormones in the blood- revolutionizing the field of endocrinology, specifically as it relates to diabetes and hormonal problems related to growth, thyroid function, and fertility.

Yalow did all of the research/work on the RIA while caring for her two children, Benjamin and Elanna. She often took them with her to the labs. As they grew, she never neglected them. She always made sure she was home to make them lunch and dinner. She is quoted as saying “It’s true that women are different from men. If you want to be a good wife, you have to work a little harder.”

In 1977, Yalow was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the work that she and Solomon Berson had accomplished. Part of her acceptance speech was encouraging women to step out of their comfort zones and have the courage to succeed.

References:
Rosalyn Yalow. Wikipedia.