Neva Abelson

Neva Abelson
Born(1910-11-19)November 19, 1910
Lamar, Missouri, US
DiedSeptember 26, 2000(2000-09-26) (aged 89)
Washington, US
Alma mater
Occupations
Known forRh blood factor test
SpousePhilip Abelson
Scientific career
FieldsClinical pathology
InstitutionsUniversity of Pennsylvania

Neva Irene Martin Abelson (November 19, 1910 – September 26, 2000)[1] was a distinguished research physician who co-discovered the life-saving blood test for the Rh blood factor (with Louis K. Diamond).

The Philip and Neva Abelson Hall at Washington State University was named in her honor.[2]

Early career

Abelson graduated from Washington State University with a B.S. degree in chemistry.[3] She became one of the first women to graduate from Johns Hopkins University with a medical degree.[4] After medical school she became a pediatrician. She was the first pediatrician to ever be placed in charge of Johns Hopkins nurseries.[2]

Her research at the University of Pennsylvania, where she was a professor of clinical pathology, involved blood groups, blood diseases of infants, and the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.[5][6][7][8][9][10] She published a book, Topics in Blood Banking, in 1974. She received the Emily Cooley Memorial Award from the American Association of Blood Banks.[11]

In 1989, she received the Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award for her contributions to developing the test for the Rh blood factor.[2]

She and her husband are responsible for contributing the largest fellowship endowment in Washington State University's College of Sciences.[2]

Personal life

Abelson married Philip Abelson (1913–2004), a physicist, science writer and longtime editor of Science magazine.[12] Their daughter, Ellen Abelson Cherniavsky who is now retired, worked as an aviation researcher at The MITRE Corporation in Virginia.

References

Specific
  1. ^ "Neva I.M. Abelson, 89". Washington Post. September 28, 2000. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d "Science Hall renamed for Philip, Neva Abelson". WSU NEWS. August 23, 2002. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  3. ^ Congress, United States (1963). Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the Congress. U.S. Government Printing Office.
  4. ^ Washington, Carnegie Institution of (1999). Year Book. Carnegie Institution of Washington.
  5. ^ Omoto, Charlotte; Lurquin, Paul (2015-03-05). Genetics & Society. Lulu.com. ISBN 9781483427126.
  6. ^ The Cerebral Palsy Journal. Institute of Logopedics. 1953.
  7. ^ Frigoletto, Fredric David; Jewett, John Figgis; Konugres, Angelyn Adele (1982). Rh hemolytic disease: new strategy for eradication. G.K. Hall Medical Publishers. ISBN 9780816122486.
  8. ^ Transactions & Studies of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia: (4th Series, 1938-). The College. 1947.
  9. ^ The Preservation of the Formed Elements and of the Proteins of the Blood. 1949.
  10. ^ American Journal of Diseases of Children. American Medical Association. 1950.
  11. ^ "WSU Alumna and Supporter Neva Abelson Dies | WSU Insider | Washington State University". WSU Insider. 2000-10-02. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
  12. ^ Pepling, Rachel (August 9, 2004). "Philip Abelson Dies At 91". Chemical & Engineering News. Retrieved 26 October 2017.


Flag of United StatesScientist icon

This biographical article related to a physician in the United States is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.