Michael E. Phelps
Encyclopedia
Michael Edward Phelps is a professor
and an American
biophysicist. He is known for being one of the fathers of positron emission tomography
(PET). Phelps was born in 1939 in Cleveland, Ohio
. He spent his early life as a boxer
, winning the coveted Golden Gloves
. However, at age 19, he was severely injured in a car crash, leaving him in a coma
for several days and effectively ending his boxing career Phelps went on to earn his B.S. in Chemistry and Mathematics from Western Washington University
in 1965, and his Ph.D. in Chemistry
from Washington University in St. Louis
, in 1970. He joined the faculty of Washington University School of Medicine
in 1970. From 1975-1976, Phelps was a member of the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania
. In 1976, he moved to the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
where he is the Norton Simon Professor & Chairman of the Department of Molecular & Medical Pharmacology and Director of two institutes, the Institute for Molecular Medicine and the Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging. He has been awarded two of science's highest honors: an Enrico Fermi Award
and an appointment to the National Academy of Science
Michael Phelps currently resides in Los Angeles with wife, Dr. Patricia Phelps, who is an Associate Professor of Physiological Sciences at UCLA. They have two children: Patrick Phelps, who currently resides in Los Angeles and Katy Phelps, who currently resides in New York City.
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
and an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
biophysicist. He is known for being one of the fathers of positron emission tomography
Positron emission tomography
Positron emission tomography is nuclear medicine imaging technique that produces a three-dimensional image or picture of functional processes in the body. The system detects pairs of gamma rays emitted indirectly by a positron-emitting radionuclide , which is introduced into the body on a...
(PET). Phelps was born in 1939 in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. He spent his early life as a boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, winning the coveted Golden Gloves
Golden Gloves
The Golden Gloves is the name given to annual competitions for amateur boxing in the United States. The Golden Gloves is often the term used to refer to the National Golden Gloves competition, but it also can represent several other amateur tournaments, including regional golden gloves...
. However, at age 19, he was severely injured in a car crash, leaving him in a coma
Coma
In medicine, a coma is a state of unconsciousness, lasting more than 6 hours in which a person cannot be awakened, fails to respond normally to painful stimuli, light or sound, lacks a normal sleep-wake cycle and does not initiate voluntary actions. A person in a state of coma is described as...
for several days and effectively ending his boxing career Phelps went on to earn his B.S. in Chemistry and Mathematics from Western Washington University
Western Washington University
Western Washington University is one of six state-funded, four-year universities of higher education in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located in Bellingham and offers bachelor's and master's degrees.-History:...
in 1965, and his Ph.D. in Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
from Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1853, and named for George Washington, the university has students and faculty from all fifty U.S. states and more than 110 nations...
, in 1970. He joined the faculty of Washington University School of Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine , located in St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the graduate schools of Washington University in St. Louis. One of the top medical schools in the United States, it is currently ranked 4th for research according to U.S. News and World Report and has been listed...
in 1970. From 1975-1976, Phelps was a member of the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
. In 1976, he moved to the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
UCLA School of Medicine or David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA is an accredited medical school located in Los Angeles, California, United States...
where he is the Norton Simon Professor & Chairman of the Department of Molecular & Medical Pharmacology and Director of two institutes, the Institute for Molecular Medicine and the Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging. He has been awarded two of science's highest honors: an Enrico Fermi Award
Enrico Fermi Award
The Enrico Fermi Award is an award honoring scientists of international stature for their lifetime achievement in the development, use, or production of energy. It is administered by the U.S. government's Department of Energy...
and an appointment to the National Academy of Science
Michael Phelps currently resides in Los Angeles with wife, Dr. Patricia Phelps, who is an Associate Professor of Physiological Sciences at UCLA. They have two children: Patrick Phelps, who currently resides in Los Angeles and Katy Phelps, who currently resides in New York City.