James V. Neel | |
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Born | James Van Gundia Neel March 22, 1915 |
Died | February 1, 2000 | (aged 84)
Education | College of Wooster, University of Rochester (Ph.D.) |
Known for | Developing understanding of the influence of environment on genes |
Awards | American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Philosophical Society, Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, William Allan Award, National Medal of Science |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Human genetics |
Institutions | University of Michigan Department of Genetics |
James Van Gundia Neel (March 22, 1915 – February 1, 2000) was an American geneticist who played a key role in the development of human genetics as a field of research in the United States. He made important contributions to the emergence of genetic epidemiology[1] and pursued an understanding of the influence of environment on genes. In his early work, he studied sickle-cell disease[2] and acatalasia.[3] conducted research on the effects of radiation on survivors of the Hiroshima atomic bombing.[4]