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Fifteen Nobel Prize winners have connections to Case Western Reserve University (as current or former faculty or as alumni), including the first American to win the prize in science:
Albert A. Michelson, former professor of physics at Case, in 1907 received America’s first Nobel Prize in science for his research measuring the speed of light and creating precision optical instruments. Much of this work was related to his work with Western Reserve's Edward W. Morley, which became the foundation of Albert Einstein's theory of relativity.
John J.R. Macleod, professor and chair of physiology at Western Reserve University School of Medicine from 1903 to 1918, shared the 1923 physiology/medicine prize for the discovery of insulin.
Frederick C. Robbins shared the 1954 prize in physiology/medicine for studies of the polio virus. Robbins was a member of the medical school faculty at Western Reserve University beginning in 1952 and served as dean from 1966 to 1980.
Polykarp Kusch, a 1931 Case graduate with a B.S. in physics, shared the 1955 prize in physics for research on electrons' magnetic strength. This work resulted in major modifications to atomic theory.
Donald A. Glaser, who received his B.S. in physics and mathematics from Case in 1946, received the 1960 physics prize for inventing the "bubble chamber," a device that allows scientists to photograph trails left by high-speed atoms traveling through super-heated liquids.
Earl W. Sutherland Jr., professor and chair of pharmacology at Western Reserve from 1953 to 1963, received the 1971 physiology/medicine prize for establishing the identity and importance of cyclic AMP (adenosine monophosphate) in the regulation of cell metabolism.
Paul Berg, a 1952 graduate of the biochemistry department, received the 1980 prize in chemistry for pioneering genetic engineering research.
George Hitchings, a former faculty member, shared the 1988 Nobel Prize in physiology/medicine for his work on drugs for treatment of heart disease, ulcers, and leukemia.
George A. Olah, former chemistry department chair, won the 1994 Nobel Prize in chemistry for studies of hydrocarbons and methane gas to find ways to make cleaner and more efficient fuel.
Alfred G. Gilman, who earned his M.D. and Ph.D. in pharmacology from Case in 1969, shared the 1994 Nobel Prize in physiology/medicine for discovering G proteins, which help send messages through the body's trillions of cells in response to certain hormones and drugs.
Frederick Reines, former professor and chair of physics at Case, received the 1995 Nobel Prize in physics for his discovery of the neutrino, one of nature's most elusive particles.
Ferid Murad, who received his M.D. and Ph.D. in pharmacology from the Western Reserve in 1965, shared the 1998 Nobel Prize in physiology/medicine with two others for their discoveries concerning nitric oxide as a signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system.
Paul C. Lauterbur, a pioneer in the development of magnetic resonance imaging, shared the 2003 Nobel Prize in physiology/medicine. Lauterbur received his B.S. in chemistry from Case in 1951. He later received the university's Michelson-Morley Award (1984), served as Case's Theodore J. and Jean W. Castele professor of radiology (1993) and received an honorary doctorate (2000).
Peter C. Agre, who discovered the proteins that govern the movement of water in and out of cells, shared the 2003 Nobel Prize in chemistry. Agre completed a medical fellowship in hematology at the university.
Edward C. Prescott, a 1964 graduate of Case's Weatherhead School of Management, shared the 2004 Nobel in economics for contributions to dynamic macroeconomics.
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