Jonas Salk

Jonas Salk (October 28, 1914 - June 23, 1995) is the discoverer/inventor of the eponymous Salk vaccine (see polio vaccine). This was one of the first successful attempts at immunization against a virus, specifically the Poliomyelitis virus. The vaccine provides the recipient with immunity against Polio, and was seminal in the near eradication of a once widely-feared disease.

Salk was born in New York City. He spent his career as a professor at the University of Pittsburgh.

The Salk Institute in La Jolla, California was named in Jonas Salk's honor.