Jonas Salk
Jonas Salk (
October 28,
1914 -
June 23,
1995) is the discoverer/inventor of the
eponymous Salk vaccine (see
polio vaccine). This was one of the first successful attempts at immunization against a
virus, specifically the
Poliomyelitis virus. The vaccine provides the recipient with immunity against
Polio, and was seminal in the near eradication of a once widely-feared disease.
Salk was born in New York City. He spent his career as a professor at the University of Pittsburgh.
The Salk Institute in La Jolla, California was named in Jonas Salk's honor.