Photo of Elizabeth Lee Hazen

Elizabeth Lee Hazen

1885 - 1975
Microbiology
USA USA

Personal Information

Born: 1885

Died: 1975

Country of Birth: USA

Nationality: USA

Ethnicity: White

Education

Mississippi State College for Women BS 1910; Columbia University MS Biology 1917 & PhD Microbiology 1927

Professional Life

Field of Study: Microbiology

Institution/Corporation: NYS Dept of Health; E.R.Squibb & Sons

Degrees & Memberships: Honorary Degrees: Hobart & William Smith Colleges

Awards & Achievements

Awards: 1994, National Inventor s Hall of Fame; Squibb Award in Chemotherapy; The Roda Benham Award, Medical Micological Society of the Americas; The Chemical Pioneer Award, American Institute of Chemists

Achievements: Development of Nystatin; worked with ricin & its effects on Clostridium botulinum toxin; studied fungi, fungal diseases, bacteria & Immunology; placed all her royalties from Nystatin into 2 charitable funds to help women in sciences

With Rachel Fuller Brown discovered the antifungal antibiotic nystatin

Her research had numerous applications ranging from saving infected trees to restoring paintings & artwork damaged by mold

Her parents died when she was 4; she & 2 siblings were adopted by an aunt & uncle

She & Brown donated approximately $13 million in royalties for nystatin to a trust fund whose function was to further science & advancing women in science

Held 1 patent