Panayotis Katsoyannis
Encyclopedia
Panayotis G. Katsoyannis is a noted biochemist
who is often credited with being the first to synthesize insulin
while leading a team at the University of Pittsburgh
in the early 1960s. His results synthesizing insulin were achieved almost simultaneously with that of Helmut Zahn
at RWTH Aachen
University in Germany
. Katsoyannis was also noted for his studies on the synthesis of oxytocin
and vasopressin
. Following his time at the University of Pittsburgh, Katsoyannis served as the Head of the Division of Biochemistry at the Brookhaven National Laboratory
and later was appointed as the founding Chairman of the Department of Biochemistry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine
in 1967 where he remains. Katsoyannis continues at Mount Sinai as a Distinguished Service Professor and Chair Emeritus in Pharmacologic and Systems Therapeutics.
Katoyannis received the Commemorative Medallion of the American Diabetes Association
in 1972 on the fiftieth anniversary of the discovery of insulin. He also received the Jacobi Medallion from Mount Sinai Alumni in 1995 and an honorary degree from the University of Patras
in Greece
in 1997. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
(1966), the New York Academy of Sciences
(1977), and a Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Greece (Academy of Athens) (1966).
Biochemist
Biochemists are scientists who are trained in biochemistry. Typical biochemists study chemical processes and chemical transformations in living organisms. The prefix of "bio" in "biochemist" can be understood as a fusion of "biological chemist."-Role:...
who is often credited with being the first to synthesize insulin
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone central to regulating carbohydrate and fat metabolism in the body. Insulin causes cells in the liver, muscle, and fat tissue to take up glucose from the blood, storing it as glycogen in the liver and muscle....
while leading a team at the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
in the early 1960s. His results synthesizing insulin were achieved almost simultaneously with that of Helmut Zahn
Helmut Zahn
Helmut Zahn was a German chemist who is often credited as the first to synthesised Insulin in 1963. His results synthesizing insulin were achieved almost simultaneously with that of Panayotis Katsoyannis at the University of Pittsburgh...
at RWTH Aachen
RWTH Aachen
RWTH Aachen University is a research university located in Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany with roughly 33,000 students enrolled in 101 study programs....
University in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Katsoyannis was also noted for his studies on the synthesis of oxytocin
Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a mammalian hormone that acts primarily as a neuromodulator in the brain.Oxytocin is best known for its roles in sexual reproduction, in particular during and after childbirth...
and vasopressin
Vasopressin
Arginine vasopressin , also known as vasopressin, argipressin or antidiuretic hormone , is a neurohypophysial hormone found in most mammals, including humans. Vasopressin is a peptide hormone that controls the reabsorption of molecules in the tubules of the kidneys by affecting the tissue's...
. Following his time at the University of Pittsburgh, Katsoyannis served as the Head of the Division of Biochemistry at the Brookhaven National Laboratory
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Brookhaven National Laboratory , is a United States national laboratory located in Upton, New York on Long Island, and was formally established in 1947 at the site of Camp Upton, a former U.S. Army base...
and later was appointed as the founding Chairman of the Department of Biochemistry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Mount Sinai School of Medicine is an American medical school in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, currently ranked among the top 20 medical schools in the United States. It was chartered by Mount Sinai Hospital in 1963....
in 1967 where he remains. Katsoyannis continues at Mount Sinai as a Distinguished Service Professor and Chair Emeritus in Pharmacologic and Systems Therapeutics.
Katoyannis received the Commemorative Medallion of the American Diabetes Association
American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is a United States-based association working to fight the consequences of diabetes, and to help those affected by diabetes...
in 1972 on the fiftieth anniversary of the discovery of insulin. He also received the Jacobi Medallion from Mount Sinai Alumni in 1995 and an honorary degree from the University of Patras
University of Patras
University of Patras is a university established in 1964 in Patras, Greece. Initially housed in the city centre, the university's campus is now located in the adjacent municipality of Rio...
in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
in 1997. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Association for the Advancement of Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is an international non-profit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsibility, and supporting scientific education and science outreach for the...
(1966), the New York Academy of Sciences
New York Academy of Sciences
The New York Academy of Sciences is the third oldest scientific society in the United States. An independent, non-profit organization with more than members in 140 countries, the Academy’s mission is to advance understanding of science and technology...
(1977), and a Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Greece (Academy of Athens) (1966).