Janet Davidson Rowley
Personal Information
Born: 1925
Died: 2013
Country of Birth: USA
Nationality: USA
Ethnicity: White
Education
University of Chicago BA Philosophy 1944, BS 1946; University of Chicago Medical School MD 1948; Oxford University Chromosome Analysis
Professional Life
Institution/Corporation: University of Chicago
Degrees & Memberships: Honorary Degree: holds 14 including Oxford University, Harvard University, Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College; Member: National Cancer Aadvisory Board (1979-84), President's Council on Bioethics (2002-09), National Academy of Sciences (1984), Institute of Medicine, American Philosophical Society (1991), American Academy of Arts & Sciences, Hope Funds Scientific Advisory Board (2012), American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), American Association for the Advancement of Science (1998)
Awards & Achievements
Awards: see Docs folder
Achievements: Pioneer in translocational research; laid the foundation for personalized cancer care & targeted therapy
1st scientist to identify a chromosomal translocation as the cause of leukemia & other cancers, proving cancer is a genetic disease
1940, at age 15, received a scholarship to study in an AP program at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools where she finished high school & the 1st two years of college
At age 19 had to wait 9 months to enter the University of Chicago because the quota for women (3 out of 65 students) had been met
Worked part-time until the youngest of her 4 sons turned 12
Held 3 patents