Selman Waksman

22 July 1888 – 16 August 1973

Selman Waksman was a Russian-born American biochemist and microbiologist who pioneered the study of soil microorganisms and their antibiotics. He and his students discovered streptomycin, the first effective antibiotic against tuberculosis, and he coined the term antibiotic. He was awarded the 1952 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

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Life events

Born near Kiev, Russian Empire
22 July 1888

Born in the town of Nova Pryluka in present-day Ukraine.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Emigrated to the United States
1910

Left the Russian Empire and settled in New Jersey.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relocation ✓
Earned PhD in biochemistry at the University of California, Berkeley
1918

Completed doctoral studies before returning to Rutgers.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Joined the faculty at Rutgers University
1918

Built a leading program in soil microbiology at Rutgers.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Discovery of streptomycin
1943

His laboratory, with student Albert Schatz, isolated the first antibiotic effective against tuberculosis.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
1952

Honored for the discovery of streptomycin and other antibiotics.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Founded the Institute of Microbiology at Rutgers
1954

Established and directed the institute using antibiotic royalties.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Died in Hyannis, Massachusetts
16 August 1973

Died at the age of 85.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓