 |
Helen Murray Free | |
|---|---|
 Helen Free receiving the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Obama, 2010 | |
| Born | Helen Murray February 20, 1923 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | May 1, 2021 (aged 98) Elkhart, Indiana, U.S. |
| Alma mater | College of Wooster (BS) Central Michigan University (MA) |
| Known for | Self-testing systems for diabetes |
| Awards | Garvan–Olin Medal (1980) Kilby Award (1996) National Inventors Hall of Fame (2000) National Medal of Technology and Innovation (2009) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Chemistry |
Helen Murray Free (February 20, 1923 – May 1, 2021) was an American chemist and educator. She is most known for revolutionizing many in vitro self-testing systems for diabetes and other diseases while working at Miles Laboratories. The tests are still marketed today with blood tests as Ascensia Diabetes Care, and urine tests under Siemens Healthineers. The pioneering dip-and-read strips allowed for testing to be more convenient and efficient and reduced doctors’ and patients’ dependence on laboratories for results as well as the cost of testing.