Henry A. Lardy
Encyclopedia
Henry A. Lardy was a biochemist and professor emeritus in the Biochemistry Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences
in 1958. Research in Lardy's laboratory centered on elucidating the mechanisms underlying metabolism
.
in 1917. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1939 from South Dakota State University
, with a double major in chemistry and dairy science. While at South Dakota State, Lardy worked in the dairy science department, where he cared for rats and cows that were used for Vitamin D
research.
Lardy earned both his master's (1940) and Ph.D. (1945) degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
. He also played an important role in developing methods for the storage and preservation of semen, which aided in artificial insemination of livestock.
on August 4, 2010. Ironically, one of his research projects involved an anti-prostate cancer compound, which he had been working on even before his diagnosis.
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
in 1958. Research in Lardy's laboratory centered on elucidating the mechanisms underlying metabolism
Metabolism
Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that happen in the cells of living organisms to sustain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments. Metabolism is usually divided into two categories...
.
Early life and education
Lardy was born in Roslyn, South DakotaRoslyn, South Dakota
Roslyn is a town in Day County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 183 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Roslyn is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
in 1917. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1939 from South Dakota State University
South Dakota State University
South Dakota State University is the largest university in the U.S. state of South Dakota, located in Brookings. A public land-grant university and sun grant college, founded under the provisions of the 1862 Morrill Act, SDSU offers programs of study required by, or harmonious to, this Act...
, with a double major in chemistry and dairy science. While at South Dakota State, Lardy worked in the dairy science department, where he cared for rats and cows that were used for Vitamin D
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids. In humans, vitamin D is unique both because it functions as a prohormone and because the body can synthesize it when sun exposure is adequate ....
research.
Lardy earned both his master's (1940) and Ph.D. (1945) degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Career
After earning his Ph.D., Lardy joined the faculty at the Enzyme Institute at UW-Madison, and very quickly became the Institute's Team Lead. His laboratory has published more than 370 articles on a variety of metabolic phenomena. Even after his official retirement, Lardy still operated a laboratory in the biochemistry department.Notable scientific contributions
Lardy is among several people credited for the development of adjustable micropipetsAir displacement pipette
Piston-driven air displacement pipettes are micropipettes, which are tools to handle volumes of liquid in the microliter scale and are the most accurate and precise pipettes...
. He also played an important role in developing methods for the storage and preservation of semen, which aided in artificial insemination of livestock.
Awards and distinctions
- 1949 - Paul Lewis Award in Enzyme Chemistry (American Chemical SocietyAmerican Chemical SocietyThe American Chemical Society is a scientific society based in the United States that supports scientific inquiry in the field of chemistry. Founded in 1876 at New York University, the ACS currently has more than 161,000 members at all degree-levels and in all fields of chemistry, chemical...
) - 1981 - Wolf FoundationWolf FoundationThe Wolf Foundation is a private not-for-profit organization in Israel established in 1975 by Dr. Ricardo Wolf, a German-born Jewish Cuban inventor and former Cuban ambassador to Israel.- Ricardo Wolf :...
Award in Agriculture - 1982 - National Award of Agricultural Excellence
- 1988 - William C. Rose Award (American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyThe American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is a learned society that was founded on December 26, 1906 at a meeting organized by John Jacob Abel...
)
Death
Lardy died of prostate cancerProstate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
on August 4, 2010. Ironically, one of his research projects involved an anti-prostate cancer compound, which he had been working on even before his diagnosis.