Neva Abelson

Neva Abelson
Born	(1910-11-19)November 19, 1910 Lamar, Missouri, US
Died	September 26, 2000(2000-09-26) (aged 89) Washington, US
Alma mater	Washington State University Johns Hopkins University
Occupations	Pediatrician research physician
Known for	Rh blood factor test
Spouse	Philip Abelson
Scientific career
Fields	Clinical pathology
Institutions	University of Pennsylvania

Neva Irene Martin Abelson (November 19, 1910 – September 26, 2000)[1] was a distinguished research physician who co-discovered the life-saving blood test for the Rh blood factor (with Louis K. Diamond).

The Philip and Neva Abelson Hall at Washington State University was named in her honor.[2]

Early career

Abelson graduated from Washington State University with a B.S. degree in chemistry.[3] She became one of the first women to graduate from Johns Hopkins University with a medical degree.[4] After medical school she became a pediatrician. She was the first pediatrician to ever be placed in charge of Johns Hopkins nurseries.[2]

Her research at the University of Pennsylvania, where she was a professor of clinical pathology, involved blood groups, blood diseases of infants, and the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.[5][6][7][8][9][10] She published a book, Topics in Blood Banking, in 1974. She received the Emily Cooley Memorial Award from the American Association of Blood Banks.[11]

In 1989, she received the Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award for her contributions to developing the test for the Rh blood factor.[2]

She and her husband are responsible for contributing the largest fellowship endowment in Washington State University's College of Sciences.[2]

Personal life

Abelson married Philip Abelson (1913–2004), a physicist, science writer and longtime editor of Science magazine.[12] Their daughter, Ellen Abelson Cherniavsky who is now retired, worked as an aviation researcher at The MITRE Corporation in Virginia.

References

• Washington State University Regents' Distinguished Alumnus Award to Neva Martin Abelson (No. 23)
• University of Pennsylvania Obituaries

Specific

1. "Neva I.M. Abelson, 89". Washington Post. September 28, 2000. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
2. "Science Hall renamed for Philip, Neva Abelson". WSU NEWS. August 23, 2002. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
3. Congress, United States (1963). Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the Congress. U.S. Government Printing Office.
4. Washington, Carnegie Institution of (1999). Year Book. Carnegie Institution of Washington.
5. Omoto, Charlotte; Lurquin, Paul (2015-03-05). Genetics & Society. Lulu.com. ISBN 9781483427126.
6. The Cerebral Palsy Journal. Institute of Logopedics. 1953.
7. Frigoletto, Fredric David; Jewett, John Figgis; Konugres, Angelyn Adele (1982). Rh hemolytic disease: new strategy for eradication. G.K. Hall Medical Publishers. ISBN 9780816122486.
8. Transactions & Studies of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia: (4th Series, 1938-). The College. 1947.
9. The Preservation of the Formed Elements and of the Proteins of the Blood. 1949.
10. American Journal of Diseases of Children. American Medical Association. 1950.
11. "WSU Alumna and Supporter Neva Abelson Dies | WSU Insider | Washington State University". WSU Insider. 2000-10-02. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
12. Pepling, Rachel (August 9, 2004). "Philip Abelson Dies At 91". Chemical & Engineering News. Retrieved 26 October 2017.