J. Roger Porter
Encyclopedia
J. Roger Porter was an internationally known, highly respected microbiologist
. Porter married Majorie Ann Perkins in 1934. He was the father of four children (Roberta, Carol, Katherine, and John).
, with B.S. and M.S. degrees in Bacteriology
in 1933 and 1935. He obtained his Ph.D. in Bacteriology and Chemistry
from Yale University
in 1938. His career on the University of Iowa
's Department of Microbiology
faculty spanned the period 1938 through 1977. He was Department Head from 1949 through his retirement in 1977, when he became an Emeritus Professor. He served on 19 standing committees within the university.
He authored an important text and reference book entitled, Bacterial Chemistry and Physiology, which was published in 1946 by John Wiley and Sons. He served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Bacteriology from 1951 through 1961. He was Chairman of the Conference of Biological Editors Committee on Form and Style from 1958 through 1964, which published the widely used Style Manual for Biological Journals. He published 47 articles in recognized scientific journals.
Porter served in leadership positions on numerous professional and governmental committees. Following is a selection of service:
Microbiologist
A microbiologist is a scientist who works in the field of microbiology. Microbiologists study organisms called microbes. Microbes can take the form of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists...
. Porter married Majorie Ann Perkins in 1934. He was the father of four children (Roberta, Carol, Katherine, and John).
Life and work
Porter graduated from Iowa State UniversityIowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
, with B.S. and M.S. degrees in Bacteriology
Bacteriology
Bacteriology is the study of bacteria. This subdivision of microbiology involves the identification, classification, and characterization of bacterial species...
in 1933 and 1935. He obtained his Ph.D. in Bacteriology and Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in 1938. His career on the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
's Department of Microbiology
Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are defined as any microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters or no cell at all . This includes eukaryotes, such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes...
faculty spanned the period 1938 through 1977. He was Department Head from 1949 through his retirement in 1977, when he became an Emeritus Professor. He served on 19 standing committees within the university.
He authored an important text and reference book entitled, Bacterial Chemistry and Physiology, which was published in 1946 by John Wiley and Sons. He served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Bacteriology from 1951 through 1961. He was Chairman of the Conference of Biological Editors Committee on Form and Style from 1958 through 1964, which published the widely used Style Manual for Biological Journals. He published 47 articles in recognized scientific journals.
Porter served in leadership positions on numerous professional and governmental committees. Following is a selection of service:
- Conference of Biology Editors, Chairman, 1962–1963
- American Society for MicrobiologyAmerican Society for MicrobiologyThe American Society for Microbiology is a professional organization for scientists who study viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae, and protozoa as well as other aspects of microbiology. Microbiology is the study of organisms too small to be seen with the naked eye and which must be viewed with a...
, President, 1964 - American Institute of Biological SciencesAmerican Institute of Biological SciencesThe American Institute of Biological Sciences is a non-profit scientific association that is dedicated to advancing biological research and education.-Overview:...
, President, 1967 - U.S. National Committee for International Union of Biological Sciences, Chairman, 1967–1969
- U.S. House of Representatives, Panel on Science and Technology, 1970–1974
- U.S. Air Force, Scientific Advisory Board Committee on Disposal of Herbicide Orange, 1972–1974
- Appointed by President Gerald FordGerald FordGerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
as U.S. Delegate to the 18th General UNESCOUNESCOThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
Conference, ParisParisParis is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, 1974 - American Academy of Arts and SciencesAmerican Academy of Arts and SciencesThe American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
-National Academy of SciencesUnited States National Academy of SciencesThe 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...
, Joint Committee on UNESCO, 1976–1977 - International Association of Microbiology Societies, Elected President-Elect, 1978 (to take office in 1982)
- National Academy of SciencesUnited States National Academy of SciencesThe 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...
, National Research CouncilUnited States National Research CouncilThe National Research Council of the USA is the working arm of the United States National Academies, carrying out most of the studies done in their names.The National Academies include:* National Academy of Sciences...
, Committee on Science Programs of UNESCO, 1977–1979
Awards Received
- Pasteur Award, 1961, Society of Illinois Microbiologists
- Council of Biology Editors, Meritorious Award, 1973
- Honorary Member, II Mechnikov All-Union Scientific Society of Microbiologists and Epidemiologists, MoscowMoscowMoscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, 1974 - Distinguished Achievement Citation, Iowa State UniversityIowa State UniversityIowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
Alumni Association, 1975 - American Society for Microbiology, Honorary Member, 1979
Awards in His Name
- United States Federation for Culture Collections/J. Roger Porter Award
- Walter Bierring-Roger Porter Award (University of Iowa College of Medicine)