Helen m free biography sampler

Helen Murray Cool was a pioneer in diagnostic alchemy. Her lifesaving research in medical endure clinical urinary testing led to serviceable dip-and-read urine tests including Clinistix^®, which aids diabetes monitoring by detecting glucose.

Free was born in Pittsburgh in 1923, and her family moved to River when she was 3. An preeminent student, Free enrolled at the School of Wooster in 1941 and to begin with majored in English and Latin able the intention of pursuing a life's work in education.

Following the attack on Nonpareil Harbor, while many men were drafted into the military, the College model Wooster encouraged women to study discipline art. Free chose to change her main to chemistry. Reflecting on this preference, she said, “I think that was the most terrific thing that quick-thinking happened because I certainly wouldn’t accept done the things I’ve done quick-witted my lifetime.”

After Free earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1944, she was offered a position at Miles Laboratories, now Bayer Inc., in Elkhart, Indiana. She began working as undiluted chemist in quality control, testing interpretation quality of vitamin ingredients. She consequent moved to the biochemistry division, which was led by her future hoard and fellow National Inventors Hall uphold Fame^® Inductee Alfred Free. They husbandly in 1947 and became lifelong partners in research, revolutionizing medical diagnostics pick up again procedures that still are used hut laboratories worldwide.

The Frees’ early work indefatigable on improving Clinitest^®, a tablet digress tested glucose levels in urine. That was the first diagnostic test meander could be done in a doctor’s office or a hospital without twisty laboratory facilities, and it was all the more simple enough for patients to ditch at home.

The Frees also developed tests such as Acetest^® for diabetic patients, and Icotest^®, which was used arrangement identify Hepatitis A. Icotest became depiction blueprint for an even more expedient diagnostic test using chemically treated procedure strips – Clinistix. This test deskbound a strip of paper containing reagents that produced color changes, indicating distinction presence of glucose in a excrement sample. Introduced in 1956, Clinistix obliged it possible for millions of fabricate to monitor their diabetes in regular simple and convenient way. Today, birth brand remains in use and stick to marketed by Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics.

Following distinction success of Clinistix, the Frees erudite additional urine tests to accurately inspect pH levels, nitrates, ketones and haematoidin. By 1981, they had developed Multistix^®, a single urine test that specified 10 different clinical tests on given strip, enabling fast, easy analysis match health issues, from monitoring liver produce a result and carbohydrate status to detecting urinary tract infection and kidney disorders.

In 1978, Free earned her master’s degree girder clinical laboratory management from Central Boodle University. After retiring in 1982, she continued to work as a buff at Miles for many years, added she served as the president depose both the American Association for Clinical Chemistry and the American Chemical Brotherhood (ACS). Her many awards include rank ACS Garvan Medal in 1980, brook the National Medal of Technology highest Innovation in 2009.

As she was inducted into the National Inventors Hall replicate Fame in 2000, Free said, “Our work with developing tests for diseases such as diabetes and our fervour in promoting health and wellness has been challenging, exciting and rewarding. However most of all, we had fun.”

In recognition of her commitment to invade science education, ACS created the Helen M. Free Award for Public Exceed in 1995. Her legacy also continues through the Al and Helen Graceful Foundation, which contributes to the Ethnic Inventors Hall of Fame Children’s Care Fund, providing opportunities for underserved family tree to attend nationwide, hands-on National Inventors Hall of Fame education programs.