I don’t know who would win, but if people are taking nominations I’d like to nominate Maurice Hilleman:
Maurice Ralph Hilleman (August 30, 1919 – April 11, 2005) was an American microbiologist who specialized in vaccinology and developed over 40 vaccines, an unparalleled record of productivity. Of the 14 vaccines routinely recommended in current vaccine schedules, he developed eight: those for measles, mumps, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, chickenpox, meningitis, pneumonia and Haemophilus influenzae bacteria. He also played a role in the discovery of the cold-producing adenoviruses, the hepatitis viruses, and the potentially cancer-causing virus SV40.
A very strong candidate, indeed.
But my nomination goes to a classical: Viktor Zhdanov, the soviet bioweapons expert who convinced WHO to eradicate smallpox.
(I just realized that it would be the third soviet citizen winning the award)
I don’t know who would win, but if people are taking nominations I’d like to nominate Maurice Hilleman:
Wow, that’s astonishing. I imagine it’s more complex than a single person single-handedly developing each vaccine, but still.
A very strong candidate, indeed. But my nomination goes to a classical: Viktor Zhdanov, the soviet bioweapons expert who convinced WHO to eradicate smallpox. (I just realized that it would be the third soviet citizen winning the award)
Allow me to brag a little bit: I got this one half-right—Willaim Foege and Viktor Zhdanov will both win this year’s prize.