Natural/Physical Sciences
This category includes individuals in the following fields:
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Biology
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Chemistry
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Botany
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Zoology
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Ecology
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Geology
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Physics​
Rachel Lloyd (1839-1900)
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Image Source: Wikipedia
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Born: January 26, 1839 in Flushing, Ohio
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Died: March 7, 1900 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
About:
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First woman in the U.S. to earn a PhD in Chemistry. She was known for her research on sugar beets.
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Learn More:
Online Articles:
American Chemical Society National Historic Chemical Landmarks. Rachel Lloyd, Ph.D., Pioneering Woman in Chemistry. http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/rachel-holloway-lloyd.html.
"CCB Spotlight: Rachel H. Lloyd." Harvard University, 4 Mar. 2022, www.chemistry.harvard.edu/news/ccb-spotlight-rachel-h-lloyd.
"American Chemical Society." Rachel Holloway Lloyd (1839–1900), www.acs.org/education/whatischemistry/women-scientists/rachel_holloway_lloyd.html.
Mary, R. (1995). RACHEL LLOYD: EARLY NEBRASKA CHEMIST. Bull. Hist. Chem, 17, 18.
https://acshist.scs.illinois.edu/bulletin_open_access/num17-18/num17-18%20p9-14.pdf
Videos:
Dr. Rachel Lloyd: The Science of Sugar. YouTube, uploaded by WOW STEM. 12 Apr. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vk6YEb-U_Q.
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Dr. Rachel Lloyd and the Avery Hall Chemistry Time Capsule. YouTube, uploaded by University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 5 Oct. 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLTJAMQX7ok.
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Jack Miner (1865-1944)
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Image Source: Windsor Star
Born: April 10, 1865 in Dover Centre, Ohio
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Died: November 3, 1944 in Kingsville, Ontario, Canada
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Naturalist and conservationist who focused on protecting waterfowl.
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Learn More:
Online Articles:
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"Jack Miner". Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jack-Miner.
"Jack Miner." Westlake Historical Society, www.westlakeohiohistory.org/miner.html.
"Experience The Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary by Banding Together: Past. Present. Future." Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary, https://jackminer.ca/history/.
Video:
Weatherby® Presents: Banded Together - The Story of Jack Miner. YouTube, uploaded by Weatherby Inc, 15 Mar. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc_yVzVjnLo.
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Historical Marker:
"5-18 Jack Miner." Remarkable Ohio, https://remarkableohio.org/marker/5-18-jack-miner/. ​
Dayton Miller (1866-1941)
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Image Source: Baldwin Wallace University
Born: March 13, 1866 in Strongsville, Ohio
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Died: February 22, 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio
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Physicist who was known for his research on acoustics. Also produced the first full body x-ray image.
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Learn More:
Online Articles:
"Miller, Dayton Clarence ." Case Western Reserve University, https://case.edu/ech/articles/m/miller-dayton-clarence.
"Dayton C. Miller (1866-1941): American Acoustician, Physicist, Flutist, and Collector of All Things Related to Flutes." Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/collections/dayton-c-miller-collection/articles-and-essays/dayton-c-miller-biography/.
"Dayton C. Miller, His Life, Work and Contributions as a Scientist and Organologist." Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/collections/dayton-c-miller-collection/articles-and-essays/his-life-work-and-contributions-as-scientist-and-organologist/.
Hoekje, Peter. "Dayton C. Miller." Echoes, The Acoustical Society of America, 2003, https://acousticalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/vol13no1.pdf.
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Charles Henry Turner (1867-1923)
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​​Image Source: Encyclopedia Brittanica​
Born: February 3, 1867 in Cincinnati, Ohio
Died: February 14, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois
About:
African-American zoologist known for his research on insect behavior, which proved that insects have complex behavioral traits.
Learn More:
Online Articles:
Abramson, Charles I. "Charles Henry Turner". Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Feb. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Henry-Turner.
Katsnelson, Alla. "Charles Henry Turner’s insights into animal behavior were a century ahead of their time." Knowable Magazine, 2 Aug. 2023, https://knowablemagazine.org/article/living-world/2023/rediscovering-legacy-charles-henry-turner.
"Charles Henry Turner." Biography, 3 Sept. 2020, www.biography.com/scientists/charles-henry-turner.
Lindle, Stuart. "Profile of Charles Henry Turner." University of Cincinnati College of Arts and Sciences, 5 Feb. 2018, www.artsci.uc.edu/news/profile-Turner-bhm.html.
Video:
Bugs Aren't Brainless! | Great Minds: Charles Henry Turner. YouTube, uploaded by SciShow, 10 Oct. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwSROeIRs2A.
Books:
Ross, Michael E., and Laurie A. Caple. Bug Watching With Charles Henry Turner. Carolrhoda Books, 1997.
Harrington, Janice M., and Theodore Taylor III. Buzzing with Questions: The Inquisitive Mind of Charles Henry Turner. Calkins Creek, 2019.
Wallace Clement Sabine (1868-1919)
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Image Source: National Inventors Hall of Fame​
Born: June 13, 1868 in Richwood, Ohio
Died: January 10, 1919 in Cambridge, Massachusetts
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About:
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Physicist who pioneered the field of architectural acoustics.
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Learn More:
Online Articles:
"Wallace Clement Sabine". Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Jun. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Wallace-Clement-Ware-Sabine.
"Wallace Clement Sabine." National Inventors Hall of Fame, www.invent.org/inductees/wallace-clement-sabine.
"January 10, 1919: Death of Wallace Sabine, pioneer of architectural acoustics." American Physical Society, www.aps.org/archives/publications/apsnews/201101/physicshistory.cfm.
"Scientist of the Day - Wallace Clement Sabine." Linda Hall Library, 10 Jan. 2020, www.lindahall.org/about/news/scientist-of-the-day/wallace-clement-sabine/.
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Samuel Prentiss Baldwin (1868-1938)
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​Image Source: Cleveland Historical
Born: October 26, 1868 in Cleveland, Ohio
Died: December 31, 1938
About:
Ornithologist known for his research on the house wren and being a pioneer in the practice of bird banding. Also established the Baldwin Research Laboratory in Gates Mills.
Learn More:
Online Articles:
"Baldwin, Samuel Prentiss." Case Western Reserve University, https://case.edu/ech/articles/b/baldwin-samuel-prentiss.
Roy, Christopher. "Baldwin Bird Research Laboratory." Case Western Reserve University, 14 Dec. 2023, https://case.edu/ech/articles/b/baldwin-bird-research-laboratory.
Finocharo, Michael. "Baldwin Bird Research Laboratory." Cleveland Historical, https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/930.
Mignon Talbot (1869-1950)
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Image Source: Wikipedia
Born: August 16, 1869 in Iowa City, Iowa
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Died: July 18, 1950
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About:
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Paleontologist who was the first woman to discover a nearly complete dinosaur skeleton, Podokesaurus holyokensis.
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Connection to Ohio:
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​Talbot attended the Ohio State University and would teach at schools in the Columbus area. Her family also lived in Ohio prior to her birth.
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Learn More:
Online Articles:
“Mignon Talbot.” Daring to Dig: Early Women in Paleontology, Paleontological Research Institution / Museum of the Earth, https://www.museumoftheearth.org/daring-to-dig/bio/talbot.
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“Talbot & Podokesaurus holyokensis.” PRI Web Blog-Post, Paleontological Research Institution, https://www.priweb.org/blog-post/talbot-podokesaurus.
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Sudborough, Susannah. “Mass. Makes Its Pick for State Dinosaur: Podokesaurus Holyokensis.” Milford Daily News, 4 Feb. 2021, https://www.milforddailynews.com/story/news/2021/02/04/mass-makes-its-pick-state-dinosaur-podokesaurus-holyokensis/4396749001/.
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“Mignon Talbot.” Founding Sisters, Mount Holyoke College Commons, https://commons.mtholyoke.edu/foundingsisters/mignon-talbot/.
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Videos:
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Mignon Talbot‑ What Is Paleoart? YouTube, uploaded by Paleontological Research Institution, 5 Mar. 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKaSaHtSZW0.
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DinoBites at Dinosaur State Park: Professor Mignon Talbot. YouTube, uploaded by DinosaurParkCTFriends‑Dinosaur State Park, 25 June 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2mc3AbK980.
Emma Lucy Braun (1889-1971)
Image Source: Wikipedia
Born: April 19, 1889 in Cincinnati, Ohio
Died: March 5, 1971 in Cincinnati, Ohio
About:
Botanist and ecologist known for research on deciduous forests and her conservation efforts. Was the first female president of the Ecological Society of America.
Learn More:
Online Articles:
Rafferty, John P.. "Emma Lucy Braun". Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 Apr. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Emma-Lucy-Braun.
"Dr. E. Lucy Braun." Cincinnati Museum Center, www.cincymuseum.org/dr-e-lucy-braun/.
Yancey, Elissa. "Natural wonders." University of Cincinnati Magazine, Sept. 2017, magazine.uc.edu/issues/0917/braun-sisters.html.
Hazel K. Stiebeling (1896-1989)
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Image Source: Atomic Heritage Foundation - Nuclear Museum
Born: March 20, 1896 in Wood County, Ohio
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Died: May 18, 1989 in Alexandria, Virginia
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Food economist who worked for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), where she worked to improve dietary and nutritional standards.
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Learn More:
Online Articles:
“Hazel Katherine Stiebeling.” Find a Grave, memorial no. 164125703. Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/164125703/hazel-katherine-stiebeling.
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“Hazel Katherine Stiebeling.” Images from Manuscript Collections: Hazel Katherine Stiebeling Papers. Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, U.S. Department of Agriculture, https://www.nal.usda.gov/exhibits/speccoll/exhibits/show/manuscript-collections/hazel-k-stiebeling-papers.
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Harper, Alfred E. "Contributions of Women Scientists in the U.S. to the Development of Recommended Dietary Allowances." The Journal of Nutrition, vol. 133, no. 11, Nov. 2003, pp. 3698-702, https://jn.nutrition.org/article/S0022-3166(22)16266-8/fulltext.
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Ruth Ella Moore (1903-1994)
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​Image Source: Wikipedia
Born: May 19, 1903 in Columbus, Ohio
Died: July 19, 1994
About:
Bacteriologist who was the first African-American woman to a doctorate in the natural sciences. Known for her research which included studying the blood types present in African-Americans, among other subjects.
Learn More:
Online Articles:
Crane, Misti. "Proud they're ours: Ruth Ella Moore." The Ohio State University College of Public Health, 10 Jan. 2022, https://cph.osu.edu/news/2022/01/proud-theyre-ours-ruth-ella-moore.
Reschke, Melanie. "Celebrating Black History Month - Ruth Ella Moore." Yale University, 22 Feb. 2021, https://mbb.yale.edu/news/celebrating-black-history-month-ruth-ella-moore.
"Ruth Ella Moore, Natural Sciences." The Ohio State University Office of Research, 20 Nov. 2019, https://research.osu.edu/ruth-ella-moore.
Thompson, Marian J. "Ruth E. Moore: Remarkable Achievements in an Invisible Life." American Society for Microbiology, 29 Feb. 2024, https://asm.org/articles/2024/february/ruth-e-moore-remarkable-achievements-in-an-invisib.
Video:
Ruth Ella Moore Inducted into Office of Diversity and Inclusion Hall of Fame. YouTube, uploaded by PublicHealthBuckeyes, 2 Jul. 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVhsM7fbbSk.
Virginia Minnich (1910-1996)
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Image Source: Washington University - Becker Medical Library
Born: January 24, 1910 in Zanesville, Ohio
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Died: 1996 in Florida
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Scientist whose research would help explain the glutathione synthesis pathway and would lead to the discovery of hemoglobin E.
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Learn More:
Online Articles:
"Virginia Minnich (1910-1996)." Washington University School of Medicine, https://beckerexhibits.wustl.edu/mowihsp/bios/minnich.htm.
Boardman, Estelle. 25 Mar. 1981. , https://beckerexhibits.wustl.edu/mowihsp/words/OHMinnich.htm.
"Virginia Minnich (1910-1996)." Washington University School of Medicine, https://beckerexhibits.wustl.edu/mig/bios/minnich.html.
Carolyn Beatrice Parker (1917-1966)
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​Image Source: Atomic Heritage Foundation - Nuclear Museum
Born: November 18, 1917 in Gainesville, Florida
Died: 1966
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Connection to Ohio:
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Parker worked at the Manhattan Project's Dayton Project Division, in Dayton, Ohio, where studied the element Polonium. After WWII, she worked at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, also in Dayton, Ohio, as a research physicist.
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About:
First Black woman to earn a graduate degree in physics. Worked as as a scientist on the Manhattan Project.
Learn More:
Online Articles:
"Carolyn Beatrice Parker." Atomic Heritage Foundation, https://ahf.nuclearmuseum.org/ahf/profile/carolyn-beatrice-parker/.
Powers, Anna. "The First African American Woman To Obtain A Graduate Degree In Physics Was Involved In A Top Secret US Mission." Forbes, 31 Jan. 2020, www.forbes.com/sites/annapowers/2020/01/31/the-first-african-american-woman-to-obtain-a-graduate-degree-in-physics-was-involved-in-a-top-secret-us-mission/?sh=46d452dc5fc8.
Prescod-Weinstein, Chanda. "Racial and economic barriers kept Carolyn Beatrice Parker from realizing her full potential." Popular Science, 18 May 2022, www.popsci.com/science/carolyn-beatrice-parker-profile/ .
Video:
Black History Month: Carolyn Beatrice Parker. 20 WJCB, 24 Feb. 2023, www.wcjb.com/video/2023/02/24/black-history-month-carolyn-beatrice-parker/.
Shymala Chitaley (1918-2013)
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Image Source: International Organisation of Paleobotany
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Born: Nasik, Maharashtra, India in 1918
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Died: March 31, 2013 in Ashland, Massachusetts
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About/Connection to Ohio:
Paleobotanist who worked for the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, where she studied the plant fossils of the Cleveland Shale.
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Learn More:
Online Articles:
"Dr. Shya Chitaley 1918-2013." North Coast Fossil Club, www.ncfclub.org/shya2.html.
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International Organisation of Palaeobotany. IOP Newsletter 101, July 2013. Palaeobotany.org, https://www.palaeobotany.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/IOP101.pdf.
Segall, Grant. "Researcher Shyamala Chitaely worked until nearly age 93 at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History: news obituary." Cleveland.com, 10 May 2013, www.cleveland.com/obituaries/2013/05/researcher_shyamala_chitaely_w.html.
"The Cleveland Museum of Natural History Paleobotanist Honored." On The Fringe, vol. 22, no. 1, Mar. 2004, p. 7, https://static1.squarespace.com/static/52bb9733e4b09788115247ec/t/55c8ba92e4b0458b28cfc66f/1439218322444/otfV22N1March2004.pdf.
Livingston, Stephenie. "World’s oldest-known grape fossils found in India." Florida Musuem, 15 Nov. 2013, www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/worlds-oldest-known-grape-fossils-found-in-india/.
Bertha Bournocle (1919-2013)
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Image Source: The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
Born: 1919 in Trujillo, Peru
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Died: August 16, 2013
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About/Connection to Ohio:
Hematologist who conducted research at the Ohio State University. She is best known for her discovery of Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL)
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Learn More:
Online Articles:
"Bertha Bouroncle, hematology/oncology." The Ohio State University Office of Research, 18 Oct. 2019, https://research.osu.edu/bertha-bouroncle.
Anampa-Guzmán, Andrea, and Ariela Marshall. "Dr. Bertha Bouroncle: A Pioneer in Peruvian Hairy Cell Leukemia." American Society of Hematology, 16 Nov. 2021, https://www.hematology.org/education/trainees/fellows/hematopoiesis/2021/a-pioneer-in-peruvian-hairy-cell-leukemia.
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"Ohio State Saddened by Passing of Dr. Bertha Bournocle." The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, https://cancer.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=cc_sept_2013_bouroncle.
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Ralph Gardner-Chavis (1922-2018)
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Image Source: Atomic Heritage Foundation - Nuclear Museum
Born: December 3, 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio
Died: March 27, 2018
About:
Chemist who worked on the Manhattan Project, specifically at the University of Chicago Met Lab. He later became a professor and the head of Cleveland State University’s Chemistry Department.
Learn More:
Online Articles:
"Ralph Gardner-Chavis." Atomic Heritage Foundation, https://ahf.nuclearmuseum.org/ahf/profile/ralph-gardner-chavis/.
"Ralph Gardner-Chavis." The History Makers, www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/ralph-gardner-chavis-38.
Crocker, Brittany. "15 African-Americans who were hidden heroes of the Manhattan Project." Knox News, 25 Feb. 2018, www.knoxnews.com/story/news/2018/02/25/15-african-americans-who-were-hidden-heroes-manhattan-project/1039817001/.
Theodore Kuwana (1931-2022)
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Image Source: Wikipedia
Born: August 3, 1931 in Idaho Falls, Idaho
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Died: January 1, 2022 in Seattle, Washington
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About:
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Chemist who established the field of Spectroelectrochemistry.
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Connection to Ohio: ​
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Kuwana attended Antioch College and was a professor at Case Western Reserve and later at the Ohio State University.
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Learn More:
Online Articles:
Kuwana, T., & Kuwana, J. (2022, April 25). A path of luck and light – by Theodore (Ted) Kuwana. Electroanalysis, 34(12), 1821-1822. https://doi.org/10.1002/elan.202200008.
"Former OSU Professor, Founding Father of Spectroelectrochemistry, Ted Kuwana Passed Away." The Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences, 31 Jan. 2022, https://chemistry.osu.edu/news/former-osu-professor-founding-father-spectroelectrochemistry-ted-kuwana-passed-away.
Klevanskaya, Nicole M. "Emeritus Distinguished Professor Theodore “Ted” Kuwana: August 3, 1931 - January 1, 2022." The University of Kansas, 24 Jan. 2022, https://chem.ku.edu/news/article/2022/01/24/emeritus-distinguished-professor-theodore-ted-kuwana-august-3-1931-january-1-2022.
"Theodore Kuwana, PhD." The Seattle Times, 6 Feb. 2022, https://obituaries.seattletimes.com/obituary/theodore-kuwana-phd-1084324648/.
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Rae Natalie De Prosser Goodall (1935-2015)
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Image Source: Mensajero del Rio
Born: April 13, 1935 in Lexington, Ohio
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Died: May 25, 2015
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About:
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​Scientist who studied the cetaceans of the Tierra del Fuego region in South America.
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Learn More:
Online Articles:
Schiavini, A. (2015) Rae Natalie Prosser de Goodall 1935-2015. Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals, 10(1): 68-69. https://lajamjournal.org/index.php/lajam/article/view/444/319.
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Caudill, Mark. "Lexington native lived for nature." Mansfield News Journal , 1 June 2015, https://mansfieldnewsjournal.com/story/news/local/2015/06/01/botany-marine-biology.
Bodin, Madeline. "The Museum at the End of the World." Hakai Magazine, 5 July 2016, https://hakaimagazine.com/features/museum-end-world/.
Floyd Poruban (c. 1938-Present)
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Image Source: The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences
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About:
First blind person to graduate from the Ohio State University’s science Program. Later started the Poruban Nursery, which opened in 1964 and is still open as of 2019.
Learn More:
Online Articles:
Marx, Matt. "Buckeye Trailblazer." The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, 21 June 2019, cfaes.osu.edu/stories/buckeye-trailblazer.
Graves, Amy B. "Listen and learn: More than seeing is believing." Ohio Farm Bureau, 26 Apr. 2017, ofbf.org/2017/04/26/listen-learn-seeing-believing/.
Cary, Joan. "Growing in the Dark." Lion Magazine, 1 Oct. 2019, lionmagazine.org/articles/growing-in-the-dark/.
Podcast:
"Floyd Poruban Runs Successful Nursery." Amazon Music, 19 Dec. 2019, music.amazon.ca/fr-ca/podcasts/90ee428e-5440-4d52-a0db-d766266b2e0d/episodes/4e35ffdb-57f0-4080-a2e9-2d0e05cc9e2d/ood-works-floyd-poruban-runs-successful-nursery.
Run Time: 33 min
Joanne Chory (1955-2024)
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Image Source: The Franklin Institute
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Born: March 19. 1955 in Boston, Massachusetts
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Died: November 12, 2024
Connection to Ohio:
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Chory attended Oberlin College, where she earned her honors degree in biology.
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About:
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Plant biologist who studied plant genetics, specifically how plant genes are affected by stimuli.
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Learn More:
Online Articles:
"Joanne Chory, Salk Institute professor and pioneering plant biologist, dies at age 69." The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 13 Nov. 2024, www.salk.edu/news-release/joanne-chory-salk-institute-professor-and-pioneering-plant-biologist-dies-at-age-69/.
"Joanne Chory." The Franklin Institute, 2024, fi.edu/en/awards/laureates/joanne-chory.
"Joanne Chory." Gruber Foundation, gruber.yale.edu/recipient/joanne-chory.
Videos:
How Supercharged Plants Could Slow Climate Change | Joanne Chory. YouTube, uploaded by TED, 14 June 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyFcr2WcOyo.
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Joanne Chory: 2018 Breakthrough Prize Laureate. YouTube, uploaded by Breakthrough, 1 April 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tc9W3SSYTE.