Rosalyn S. Yalow was an influential American physicist known for her groundbreaking work in the field of medical physics. She made significant contributions to the development of radioimmunoassay, a technique that allows for the precise measurement of hormones and drugs in the body. This innovation has had a profound impact on medicine, facilitating advancements in diagnostics and treatment. Her work is recognized as a major leap forward in understanding and managing various health conditions, particularly in endocrinology.
Yalow was born in 1921 and pursued her education in a time when women faced considerable challenges in the sciences. She earned her bachelor's degree from Hunter College and went on to receive her master's and doctorate in physics. Her perseverance in a male-dominated field led her to become the second woman to win the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1977, which she shared for her work in immunoassays.