
Year: 1958
Who: Marie M. Daly
Where: Columbia University, New York City
What: Marie Maynard Daly became the first Black woman in the United State to earn a PhD in chemistry in 1947 at Columbia University. Overcoming systemic racial and gender biases, Daly made groundbreaking contributions to biochemistry, particularly in understanding proteins, cholesterol, and cellular metabolism, and became a passionate advocate for diversity in STEM education.
Born in Queens, New York, Daly was inspired by her father, who loved science but could not complete his chemistry studies at Cornell due to financial constraints. Her mother encouraged Daly’s academic pursuits, fostering her early interest in science through books like Microbe Hunters. At Queens College, Daly excelled, graduating with honors in chemistry in 1942. With support from fellowships and part-time jobs, she pursued advanced studies, earning a master’s degree from New York University in 1943 and a PhD from Columbia in just three years.
Under the mentorship of biochemist Mary Caldwell at Columbia, Daly studied digestive enzymes, particularly pancreatic amylase, laying the foundation for her later work. Her early career at the Rockefeller Institute focused on cell nucleus composition and purine and pyrimidine metabolism—research that preceded the discovery of DNA’s structure. Daly’s work with Quentin B. Deming at Columbia and Albert Einstein College of Medicine explored the relationship between cholesterol and heart attacks, contributing to the understanding of cardiovascular health.
Daly was equally dedicated to advocacy and mentorship. She developed programs to increase minority representation in STEM fields, provided mentorship to graduate students, and established the Ivan C. and Helen H. Daly Scholarship to support minority students pursuing science. Her legacy is one of scientific excellence and a lifelong commitment to breaking down barriers, inspiring future generations to follow in her footsteps.
Sources:
Journal Articles:
Daly, M. M., & Mirsky, A. E. (1952). Formation of protein in the pancreas. The Journal of General Physiology, 36(2), 243.
Daly, M. M., Allfrey, V. G., & Mirsky, A. E. (1955). Synthesis of protein in the pancreas: III. Uptake of glycine-N15 by the trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen of mouse pancreas. The Journal of General Physiology, 39(2), 207.
Allfrey, V., Daly, M. M., & Mirsky, A. E. (1953). Synthesis of protein in the pancreas: II. The role of ribonucleoprotein in protein synthesis. The Journal of General Physiology, 37(2), 157-175.
Websites:
Harvard University. (n.d.). Marie M. Daly — From a love of science to a legacy of discoveries. Science in the News. https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu
Videos:
Biography of Marie M. Daly. (n.d.). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=823L6n0NTvg