Edwin Theodore Mertz (December 6, 1909 – February 1, 1999) was an American chemist and biochemist. Mertz was noted for co-discovery of high-lysine corn which significantly increased protein levels in corn and beans.
Life and career
1909 born in Missoula, Montana
1931 B.A with a double major in chemistry and mathematics from the University of Montana
1933 M.S. from the University of Illinois, Urbana
1935 Ph.D. from the University of Illinois
1935-1937 a research biochemist at Armour and Company in Chicago
1937-1938 an instructor in biochemistry at the University of Illinois
1937 married Mary Ellen Ruskamp
1938-1940 a research associate in pathology at the University of Iowa's medical school
1940-1943 an instructor in agricultural chemistry at the University of Missouri
1943-1946 a research chemist in an explosives manufacturing factory at Hercules Powder Company
1946-1950 an assistant professor of agricultural chemistry at Purdue University
1950-1957 an associate professor of biochemistry at Purdue University
1957 a professor of biochemistry at Purdue University
professor emeritus at Purdue University until his death in 1999
1975 elected to the National Academy of Sciences
1999 death from complications of pneumonia
Honors and awards
Mertz was a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a recipient of the following awards and distinctions:
1987 Richard Newbury McCoy Award from Purdue University
1967 John Scott Award in from the City of Philadelphia
1968 Hoblitzelle National Award in the Agricultural Sciences (Texas)
1968 Congressional Medal of the Federal Land Banks in for the discovery of high-lysine corn
1970 Kenneth A Spencer award from the American Chemical Society
1972 Osborne-Mendell Award from the American Institute of Nutrition
1973 Distinguished Service Award from the University of Montana
1974 Edward W. Browning Award in for "outstanding contributions to mankind in the improvement of the food supply"
1975 Honorary Master Farmer Award of the Prairie Farmer Magazine "for leadership and distinguished service to American Agriculture}
1975 Elected to the National Academy of Sciences
1976 Chemical Pioneer Award from the American Institute of Chemists
Purdue University has established the Edwin T. Mertz Memorial Scholarship in his name.
