Harry M. Weaver (March 20, 1909 – September 12, 1977) was an American neuroscientist and researcher who made contributions to medical research in the fields of

Multiple sclerosis Multiple (cerebral) sclerosis (MS), also known as encephalomyelitis disseminata or disseminated sclerosis, is the most common demyelinating disease, in which the insulating covers of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are damaged. This d ...

, and was the Director of Research at the

National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis March of Dimes is a United States nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of mothers and babies. The organization was founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938, as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, to comba ...

when the

Polio vaccine Polio vaccines are vaccines used to prevent poliomyelitis (polio). Two types are used: an inactivated poliovirus given by injection (IPV) and a weakened poliovirus given by mouth (OPV). The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends all chil ...

was discovered and developed by

Jonas Salk Jonas Edward Salk (; born Jonas Salk; October 28, 1914June 23, 1995) was an American virologist and medical researcher who developed one of the first successful polio vaccines. He was born in New York City and attended the City College of New Y ...

. Dr. Weaver also served as the Vice President for Research at the

American Cancer Society The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer. Established in 1913, the society is organized into six geographical regions of both medical and lay volunteers operating in more than ...

, Vice President for Research and Development at the

Schering Corporation Schering-Plough Corporation was an American pharmaceutical company. It was originally the U.S. subsidiary of the German company Schering AG, which was founded in 1851 by Ernst Christian Friedrich Schering. As a result of nationalization, it be ...

, and as the Director of Research at the

National Multiple Sclerosis Society The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) is a nonprofit organization that was founded in New York City as the Association for Advancement of Research on Multiple Sclerosis on March 11, 1946 by Sylvia Lawry. Ms. Lawry was a lawyer looking fo ...

. Weaver was born in

Lancaster, Ohio Lancaster ( ) is a city in Fairfield County, Ohio, in the south-central part of the state. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 40,552. The city is near the Hocking River, about southeast of Columbus and southwest of Zanesville. It is ...

in 1909 and died at his home in

San Clemente, California San Clemente (; Spanish for " St. Clement") is a city in Orange County, California. Located in the Orange Coast region of the South Coast of California, San Clemente's population was 64,293 in at the 2020 census. Situated roughly midway betwee ...

, age 68.

Career, 1946 to 1977

*Director of Research,

, 1946 to 1953 *Vice President for Research,

, 1954 to 1961 *Vice President for Research,

, 1955 to 1966 *Director of Research,

, 1966 to 1977

Contributions to polio vaccine

The polio vaccine was discovered and developed by

between 1952 and 1955. Weaver, acting as the Director of Research at the

, now known as the

March of Dimes March of Dimes is a United States nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of mothers and babies. The organization was founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938, as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, to comba ...

, from 1946 to 1953, supported Salk's work with a sense of urgency for the development of the

. Weaver's urgency for developing a vaccine as quickly as possible was somewhat counter to the development of the

Oral polio vaccine Polio vaccines are vaccines used to prevent poliomyelitis (polio). Two types are used: an inactivated poliovirus given by injection (IPV) and a weakened poliovirus given by mouth (OPV). The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends all child ...

Albert Sabin Albert Bruce Sabin ( ; August 26, 1906 – March 3, 1993) was a Polish-American medical researcher, best known for developing the oral polio vaccine, which has played a key role in nearly eradicating the disease. In 1969–72, he served as the ...

between 1954 and 1961. However, his support of Salk's vaccine was considered to be paramount to the early end of the polio epidemic. Weaver dedicated his time and research into finding the main source of polio in order to develop a vaccine that would put an end to the disease. He planned out a way to get grants and broke it down into simple formula of how funding would work. His success was due to his organized approach to funding and his use of applied science to address the challenge.

Harry Weaver Neuroscience Scholar Award

After many years of dedication to research of MS treatment and strong support for recruiting young investigators, Dr. Weaver's accomplishments were honored by the NMSS through the awarding of the Harry Weaver Neuroscience Scholar Award. This award is offered to researchers who have completed their MS training and are beginning their work in MS research. The award include salary and research funding for a period of five years and is commonly given through universities.

Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation: Award Jury Member

Weaver was a member of the Jury of the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation for the 1957 Lasker Award.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Weaver, Harry M. 1909 births 1977 deaths American neuroscientists People from San Clemente, California People from Lancaster, Ohio Ohio State University alumni Wayne State University faculty Polio