University Times

Pitt virology pioneer Julies S. Youngner, the sole surviving member of the research team that created the Salk polio vaccine, will be the featured speaker at Pitt’s 29th annual honors convocation. The ceremony will be held at 3 p.m., Feb. 28 in Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum.

In 1949, Youngner joined Jonas Salk at Pitt’s School of Medicine to fight the scourge of paralytic poliomyelitis. While Salk’s was the most public face of the research effort, Youngner was responsible for significant discoveries that moved the vaccine research closer to reality.

In particular, Youngner established techniques for trypsinization, which allowed the production of poliovirus on a large scale, and he developed a process to inactivate the virus’ capability to cause infection without destroying its effectiveness as a vaccine. He also devised a methodology for safety testing of vaccine batches, including those used in the first field trial.

Youngner was named distinguished service professor Pitt’s School of Medicine in 1989, achieving emeritus status in 1991. From 1985 to 1989, he was professor and chairman of the medical school’s Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. From 1966 to 1985, he served as professor and chairman in the school’s department of microbiology.

Pitt’s annual honors convocation recognizes undergraduate, graduate and professional academic achievement; student leadership, and faculty and staff accomplishments.