Gertrude Elion

Gertrude Elion was born in New York in 1918. Her grandfather got sick, and she wanted to help people like him. She became a scientist who made medicines. Her work helped cure sick children and adults. She won the Nobel Prize in 1988.

Making Medicines

Elion worked in a lab to make drugs that fight diseases. She helped make the first medicine that treated leukemia, a kind of cancer. She also helped make drugs that fight viruses. Her medicines saved many lives. She was very creative in her work.

A Trailblazer

It was hard for women to become scientists when Elion was young. Many labs said no to her because she was a woman. She did not give up. She finally got a lab job and became famous. She showed girls everywhere that they could be great scientists.

Fun Facts

• She never got a PhD but still won the Nobel Prize.
• She helped make over 45 new medicines.
• She loved opera and photography in her free time.

Did You Know?

Elion's medicines are still used today to help people with serious illnesses.