E. Donnall Thomas

Donnall Edward (Don) Thomas
Born	(1920-03-15)March 15, 1920
Died	October 19, 2012(2012-10-19) (aged 92)
Citizenship	American
Known for	transplantation
Awards	Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, National Medal of Science in 1990
Scientific career
Fields	medicine

Edward Donnall (Don) Thomas (March 15, 1920 - October 19, 2012) was an American physician, professor emeritus at the University of Washington, and director emeritus of the clinical research division at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. In 1990 he shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Joseph E. Murray for the development of cell and organ transplantation. Thomas developed bone marrow transplantation as a treatment for leukemia.

Thomas attended the University of Texas at Austin where he studied chemistry and chemical engineering, graduating with a B.A. in 1941 and an M. A. in 1943. While Thomas was an undergraduate he met his wife, Dorothy (Dottie) Martin while she was training to be journalist. They had three children. Thomas entered Harvard Medical School in 1943, receiving an M.D. in 1946. Dottie became a lab technician during this time to support the family, and the pair have worked closely ever since.

Thomas also received National Medal of Science in 1990. In 2003 he was one of 21 Nobel Laureates who signed the Humanist Manifesto.

References

• Fred Hutchinson Research Center. Nobel Prize: The Don and Dottie Story
• Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 1990