Sarah Stewart (cancer researcher)
Encyclopedia
Dr. Sarah Stewart was a Mexican American
researcher who pioneered the field of viral oncology research.
, Jalisco
, Mexico
. She did her undergraduate work at the New Mexico State University
, graduating with a Bachelors of Science in 1927. She went on to earn a Master's degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst
in 1930 and a Ph.D in microbiology
from the University of Chicago
in 1939. In 1949, she became the first woman to be awarded an MD Degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine
.
in developing a vaccine for the virus which caused polio. Stewart is credited with discovering the Polyomavirus
in 1953.. She and research partner Dr. Bernice Eddy were successful in growing the virus in 1958 and the SE (Stewart-Eddy) polyoma virus is named after them. Stewart was the first to successfully demonstrate that viruses causing cancer could be spread from animal to animal.
on November 27, 1976.
Mexican American
Mexican Americans are Americans of Mexican descent. As of July 2009, Mexican Americans make up 10.3% of the United States' population with over 31,689,000 Americans listed as of Mexican ancestry. Mexican Americans comprise 66% of all Hispanics and Latinos in the United States...
researcher who pioneered the field of viral oncology research.
Early life and education
Sarah Elizabeth Stewart was born on August 16, 1905 in TecalitlánTecalitlán
Tecalitlán is a city and municipality in the central Mexican state of Jalisco, located just to the south of Ciudad Guzmán. According to the 1990 census, its population was 13,265.-Industry:...
, Jalisco
Jalisco
Jalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. She did her undergraduate work at the New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University at Las Cruces , is a major land-grant university in Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States...
, graduating with a Bachelors of Science in 1927. She went on to earn a Master's degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Amherst
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public research and land-grant university in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States and the flagship of the University of Massachusetts system...
in 1930 and a Ph.D in microbiology
Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are defined as any microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters or no cell at all . This includes eukaryotes, such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes...
from the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
in 1939. In 1949, she became the first woman to be awarded an MD Degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine
Georgetown University School of Medicine
Georgetown University School of Medicine, a medical school opened in 1851, is one of Georgetown University's five graduate schools. It is located on Reservoir Road in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC, adjacent to the University's main campus...
.
Career
Stewart developed an interest in researching viral links to cancer in light of the pioneering research of Jonas SalkJonas Salk
Jonas Edward Salk was an American medical researcher and virologist, best known for his discovery and development of the first safe and effective polio vaccine. He was born in New York City to parents from Ashkenazi Jewish Russian immigrant families...
in developing a vaccine for the virus which caused polio. Stewart is credited with discovering the Polyomavirus
Polyomavirus
Polyomavirus is the sole genus of viruses within the family Polyomaviridæ. Murine polyomavirus was the first polyomavirus discovered by Ludwik Gross in 1953. Subsequently, many polyomaviruses have been found to infect birds and mammals...
in 1953.. She and research partner Dr. Bernice Eddy were successful in growing the virus in 1958 and the SE (Stewart-Eddy) polyoma virus is named after them. Stewart was the first to successfully demonstrate that viruses causing cancer could be spread from animal to animal.
Death and afterward
Dr. Stewart died of cancer at her home in New Smyrna Beach, FloridaNew Smyrna Beach, Florida
New Smyrna Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The population was 20,048 according to the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 23,161.-History:...
on November 27, 1976.