 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (September 2009) |
Thomas Francis Jr. | |
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| Born | July 15, 1900 Gas City, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | October 1, 1969 (aged 69) Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Yale University |
| Known for | development of vaccine against influenza virus A and B |
| Awards | Medal of Freedom in 1946 |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | virology, influenza research |
| Institutions | University of Michigan |
| Doctoral advisor | Francis Gilman Blake |
| Doctoral students | Jonas Salk |
| Signature | |
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Thomas Francis Jr. (July 15, 1900 – October 1, 1969) was an American physician, virologist, and epidemiologist who guided the discovery and development of the polio vaccine being worked on by his student Jonas Salk. Francis was the first person to isolate influenza virus in the United States, and in 1940 showed that there are other strains of influenza, and took part in the development of influenza vaccines.