Norman Heatley- biologist and biochemist (1911 – 2004) 

Norman Heatley, often referred to as the “forgotten” scientist of penicillin discovery, was overlooked for his crucial laboratory contributions. Although his work was instrumental in developing penicillin, it went largely unrecognized at the time the discovery was announced. Consequently, he did not receive the 1945 Nobel Prize alongside Fleming, Florey, and Chain.

About Norman Heatley: 

• Sidebottom, E.  (2011, January 06). Heatley, Norman George (1911–2004), biochemist. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-93128

Further Resources:

• Hamilton-Miller, J. M. T. (2004). Dr Norman Heatley. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 53(5), 691–692, https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkh220
• Wright. (2004). Norman George Heatley. The Lancet (British Edition), 363(9407), 495–495. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(04)15511-6 
• Cranston, D. & Sidebottom, E. (2016). Penicillin and the legacy of Norman Heatley. UK: Words by Design. Available in SOLO: http://tinyurl.com/mr4rnfr7
• University of Oxford (Producer). (2016, September 1).  Penicillin and the Legacy of Norman Heatley [Video Podcast]. https://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/penicillin-and-legacy-norman-heatley
• Oxford Giving, University of Oxford (2024), The lasting legacy of Norman Heatley, the unassuming penicillin pioneer who changed the course of medicine, “…without Heatley, no penicillin” – Sir Henry Harris, https://medium.com/oxford-university/norman-heatley-the-unassuming-penicillin-pioneer-who-changed-the-course-of-medicine-5f13df90a657

Nelson Awori – urological Surgeon, researcher, senior lecturer  (1934 – 1986) 

Nelson Awori’s inclusion in our portraiture is the result of the nomination call we made to all members of the university.  We are pleased to highlight the great achievement of a black surgeon.  He is an inspiration to future generations of doctors, surgeons and scientists from all disciplines.

About Nelson Awori: 

• Niala, JC. Professor Nelson Awori (1934-1986) Link to PDF on Nelson Awori
• Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (Kutrrh). (2020, January 17). Prof. Nelson Awori, the first African to perform a kidney transplant. Retrieved August 31, 2023, from https://www.kutrrh.go.ke/prof-nelson-awori-the-first-african-to-perform-a-kidney-transplant/

Further Resources:

• Otieno, L. S., Awori, N. W., Bagshawe, A., Abdullah, M. S., Kyambi, J. M., & Ndirangu, J. K. (1980). The first renal transplant in Kenya. East African Medical Journal, 57(6), 369–373. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6995099

Dame Janet Vaughan – haematologist and radiobiologist (1899-1993)

Women in medicine were generally underrepresented in the early 20th century. Dame Janet Vaughan is one of them. She was a doctor and a scientist. She worked in the darkest decade of the last century. She designed a system of blood banks. She became a leader in blood diseases and blood transfusion. 

About Janet Vaughan:

• Doll, R.  (2010, May 27). Vaughan [married name Gourlay], Dame Janet Maria (1899–1993), haematologist and radiobiologist. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-42277
• Gillam, S. (April 2020). Dame Janet Vaughan treating survivors of Belsen: “practising science in hell”. Royal College of Physicians https://history.rcplondon.ac.uk/blog/dame-janet-vaughan-treating-survivors-belsen-practising-science-hell

Further Resources:

• Fara, P. (2019). Battling for life: The wartime work of Janet Vaughan. The Lancet, 394(10202), 910-911. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)32090-2
• Dacie, J. (1993). Dame Janet Vaughan. British Medical Journal, 306, 326. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.306.6873.326
• https://history.rcplondon.ac.uk/blog/dame-janet-vaughan-treating-survivors-belsen-practising-science-hell
• Louise Panton (1984). BBC archive: Women of Our Century: Janet Vaughan interviewed by Polly Toynbee https://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/janet_vaughan/zhwht39

Find the full list of the pioneering members of the scientific community featured in our portraiture on our previous blog post.