Genevieve Stearns (1892–1997) was a biochemist, most recognized for her accomplishments in research and advocacy for nutrition, especially for women and children.
Genevieve Stearns | |
|---|---|
| Alma mater | University of Michigan |
| Scientific career | |
| Thesis | Studies on the intermediary metabolism of cystine (1930) |
Early life and education
editStearns was born in Zumbrota, Minnesota, to parents Clayton H. Stearns and Clara (née Beierwalter) Stearns.[1]
She received her bachelor's degree in science from Carleton College in 1912.[1][2] She taught high school for six years, and then attended graduate school at the University of Illinois and worked as a chemistry assistant while earning her master's degree.[1] Her master's degree, completed in 1920, examined creatinuria, specifically focusing on the impact of diet and sex.[3] In 1920, she worked as research associate in nutrition at the child welfare research station at the University of Iowa.[1]
After five years as a research associate, she returned to school to earn her doctorate from University of Michigan in 1928.[1] Her research focused on metabolism, and her dissertation was on the intermediary metabolism of cystine.[4]
Career
editShe spent the majority of her career at the University of Iowa, and reached full professor in 1943.[1] She studied the metabolism of Vitamins A and D and minerals, growth chemistry, bone and cartilage metabolic disturbance,[1] and rickets.[5] During a 1957 interview with Stearns, she described how she studied cohorts of children, over extended periods of time, to gain a better understanding of how to best feed children.[6]
After spending a few years as a professor of pediatrics, in 1950 she was selected by the World Health Organization to go to Europe for seminars about metabolism.[7]
After her retirement, she received the Fulbright Scholarship to work at the Women’s College of Ein Shams University in Cairo, Egypt from 1960 until 1961.[8] She was selected as a fellow for the American Institute of Nutrition in 1965,[9] and was a member of the Society of Biological Chemists and the American Chemical Society. She has garnered many awards for her accomplishments, including the Alumni Achievement Award from Carleton College,[2] the Borden Award of the American Home Economics Association (1942) and the Borden Award of the American Institute of Nutrition (1946).[10]
Selected publications
edit- Stearns, Genevieve; Lewis, Howard B. (1930). "The Metabolism of Sulfur". Journal of Biological Chemistry. 86 (1): 93–105. doi:10.1016/s0021-9258(18)76907-x. ISSN 0021-9258.
- Stearns, Genevieve (1939-07-01). "The Mineral Metabolism of Normal Infants". Physiological Reviews. 19 (3): 415–438. doi:10.1152/physrev.1939.19.3.415. ISSN 0031-9333.
- Jeans, P. C.; Stearns, Genevieve (1938-11-01). "The effect of vitamin D on linear growth in infancy: II. The effect of intakes above 1,800 U.S.P. units daily". The Journal of Pediatrics. 13 (5): 730–740. doi:10.1016/S0022-3476(38)80162-1. ISSN 0022-3476.
- Stearns, Genevieve (1968-11-01). "Fifty Years of Experience in Nutrition and a Look to the Future". American Journal of Public Health and the Nation's Health. 58 (11): 2027–2035. doi:10.2105/AJPH.58.11.2027. ISSN 0002-9572. PMC 1229035. PMID 18018236.
- Stearns, Genevieve (1959). "Infants and Toddlers": 283–295.
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References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g ""Genevieve Stearns."". Notable Women Scientists. 2000 – via Gale In Context: Science.
- ^ a b "Dr. Genevieve Stearns to receive Alumni Achievement Award". contentdm.carleton.edu. 1958-05-28. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ Stearns, Genevieve (1920). Diet and sex as factors in creatinuria in man. OCLC 881133411.
- ^ Stearns, Genevieve (1930). Studies on the intermediary metabolism of cystine (Thesis). Baltimore. OCLC 637167242.
- ^ Boyd, Julian D.; Stearns, Genevieve (1941-05-01). "Late Rickets Resembling the Fanconi Syndrome". Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. 61 (5): 1012. doi:10.1001/archpedi.1941.02000110100008. ISSN 1072-4710.
- ^ "Adventures in Science: Interview with Genevieve Stearns | Smithsonian Digital Volunteers". transcription.si.edu. April 6, 1957. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ Barnett, Henry L.; Bessey, Otta A.; Stearns, Genevieve (10 February 1951). "International Seminars on Infant Metabolism". Journal of the American Medical Association. 145 (6): 427. doi:10.1001/jama.1951.02920240063027.
- ^ "Genevieve Stearns | Fulbright Scholar Program". cies.org. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
- ^ "American Society for Nutrition fellows" (PDF). Retrieved November 4, 2021.
- ^ Wayne, Tiffany K (2011). American Women of Science Since 1900. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC CLO, LCC. p. 888. ISBN 978-1-59884-158-9.