1. Jane C. Wright - Black American (African American) Scientist and Pioneering Cancer Researcher
Black Inventors - The Complete List of Genius Black American (African American) Inventors, Scientists and Engineers with Their Revolutionary Inventions That Changed the World and Impacted the History - Part One
Countless important contributions to STEM have come from genius Black Americans. They range from revolutionary cancer research to the humble ice cream scoop.
Genius Black Americans have overcome hardship and in some cases tragedy, to lead stellar careers and help make the world a better place to live. These have ranged from groundbreaking research into cancer treatment to the invention of the humble ice cream scoop.
Black inventors, scientists, engineers have discovered many revolutionary and life-changing inventions that have led to some amazing breakthroughs. Discrimination, corruption and other painful socio-cultural factors in human history have caused many other black inventions, and names of their inventors to be lost and forgotten forever.
Here is the complete list of genius Black American Inventors and their remarkable discoveries that impacted the world with their inspiring personal stories.
1. Jane C. Wright - Black American (African American) Scientist and Pioneering Cancer Researcher
Source: Girona7/Wikimedia Commons
Jane C. Wright, also known as Jane Jones, was an American pioneering cancer research scientist and surgeon. She is noted for her contributions to the field of chemotherapy.
She is particularly well known for her development of the technique of using human tissue cultures rather than those of mice to test chemotherapeutic drugs.
Jane would also pioneer the drug methotrexate for the treatment of breast and skin cancer.
Biography (Life) of Jane C. Wright - Black American Scientist and Pioneering Cancer Researcher
Born in Manhattan on the 30th November 1919, Jane C. Wright was born to a medical family. Her mother was a public school teacher but her paternal grandfather was a physician who graduated from Bencake Medical College.
She would marry David D. Jones in July of 1947 and the couple would go on to have two daughters. David was an attorney and later founded anti-poverty and job training organizations for young Black Americans.
Her husband died in 1976 from a heart attack.
Education of Jane C. Wright - Black American Scientist and Pioneering Cancer Researcher
Jane C. Wright graduated from Meharry Medical College and was one of the first Black American graduates from Harvard Medical School.
The career of Jane C. Wright - Black American Scientist and Pioneering Cancer Researcher
Jane studied medicine at Meharry Medical College and Harvard Medical School. After graduation, she spent some time as a residential doctor at Bellevue Hospital and Harlem Hospital before dedicating herself to research.
Jane Wright joined her father at the Harlem Hospital Cancer Research Center which her father and founded. She succeeded him as Director when he died in 1952.
In 1955, Jane accepted the position of Associate Professor of Surgical Research and Director of Cancer Research at New York University.
In 1967, she became the professor of surgery, head of the Cancer Chemotherapy Department, and Associate Dean at New York Medical College.
She would go on to have a very prolific research career until she retired in 1985. She was appointed Emeritus Professor at New York Medical College in 1987 until her death.
Chemotherapy Contributions of Jane C. Wright - Black American Scientist and Pioneering Cancer Researcher
Dr. Jane Wright would build on the work that her father started at Harlem Hospital. Chemotherapy was very experimental at this time but she would work tirelessly in the Hospital's lab to develop the field.
In 1949, Jane and her father began testing of a new chemical on human leukemias and cancers of the lymphatic system. Human trials would soon follow with some success and signs of remission in several patients.
Publications of Jane C. Wright - Black American Scientist and Pioneering Cancer Researcher
Her most notable published papers are:
- "Investigation of the Relationship Between Clinical and Tissue Response to Chemotherapeutic Agents on Human Cancer"- Black American 1957
- "The in Vivo and in Vitro Effects of Chemotherapeutic Agents on Human Neoplastic Diseases"- Black American 1953
Awards of Jane C. Wright - Black American Scientist and Pioneering Cancer Researcher
Jane received many awards during her career including the Damon Runyon Award in 1955 as well as her election as a member of Sigma Xi in 1962 and Alpha Omega Alpha, to name but a few.
She also received various recognitions including an American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Conquer Cancer Foundation 2011 award created in her honor- Black American The J C. Wright, MD, Young Investigator Award.
Death of Jane C. Wright - Black American Scientist and Pioneering Cancer Researcher
Jane Died on the 19th February 2013 in Guttenburg, New Jersey. She was 93 years old.