Jonas Salk
Born 1914 · Age 111
American physician, virologist and medical researcher who developed the first successful inactivated (killed-virus) polio vaccine and founded the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in New York City
Jonas Edward Salk born to Daniel and Dora Salk, Russian-Jewish immigrant parents, eldest of three sons.
Entered Townsend Harris Hall Prep School
Admitted to selective public prep school for intellectually gifted students (accelerated curriculum).
Enrolled at City College of New York (CCNY)
Entered CCNY as a freshman (originally pre-law, later switched to pre-med and chemistry).
Earned B.S. in Chemistry from CCNY
Graduated from City College of New York with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry.
Entered New York University School of Medicine
Matriculated at NYU Medical School (switched focus to medical research rather than clinical practice).
Married Donna Lindsay (day after graduation)
Married Donna Lindsay one day after medical school graduation (event noted in biographies).
Earned M.D. from New York University
Graduated from NYU School of Medicine (Alpha Omega Alpha).
Internship/Residency at Mount Sinai Hospital
Began clinical internship/residency at Mount Sinai, continued laboratory work in Thomas Francis' lab.
Two-month elective in Thomas Francis' lab (Univ. of Michigan)
Took a two-month elective in Thomas Francis's virology lab at Michigan; first introduction to virology.
Research fellowship at University of Michigan
Joined University of Michigan on a research fellowship to develop an influenza vaccine; advanced to assistant professor of epidemiology.
Co-developed influenza vaccine for the U.S. Army
Worked with Thomas Francis to develop an influenza vaccine used at army bases; isolated a strain used in the vaccine.
Joined University of Pittsburgh — Director, Virus Research Lab
Accepted professorship and directorship of the Virus Research Laboratory at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Built polio research team
Recruited scientists such as Julius Youngner, Byron Bennett, L. James Lewis, Elsie N. Ward and secretary Lorraine Friedman to his team.
Commissioned to type poliovirus strains (NFIP)
Harry Weaver (National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis) asked Salk to determine number of poliovirus types — start of focused polio research.
Expanded human testing at Polk State School
A few weeks after July 1952, conducted additional vaccinations at Polk State School for the mentally disabled.
First human vaccinations with killed-virus polio vaccine (43 children)
On July 2, 1952 Salk injected 43 children at D.T. Watson Home for Crippled Children with his inactivated (killed-virus) vaccine after successful animal tests.
Vaccinated his own children and early human volunteers
Salk administered the vaccine to volunteers including himself, his lab scientist, his wife and their children; all developed antibodies with no adverse events.
Polio Pioneers: National field trials begin (~1 million children)
Large-scale national testing initiated in 1954 involving about one million children (ages 6–9), later called the Polio Pioneers.
Mass field-trial logistics (20k physicians, 64k school personnel, 220k volunteers)
Field trial described as involving ~20,000 physicians & public health officers, ~64,000 school personnel, ~220,000 volunteers and over 1.8 million school children in some reports.
Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) comes into use
Salk's inactivated polio vaccine introduced and began widespread vaccination campaigns in the U.S. and internationally.
March of Dimes funding and public support peaks (~$67M raised)
By 1955 funding for polio research had grown substantially; March of Dimes funding reported at about $67 million and large donor base.
Cutter incident — vaccine-linked polio cases and temporary suspension
Shortly after licensing some vaccine lots from one manufacturer caused cases of polio (manufacturing lapses); resulted in withdrawal of those lots and brief suspension.
Honored by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Meritorious Service Medal)
In May 1955 Governor George M. Leader presented Salk Pennsylvania's highest award for services in recognition of his polio vaccine discovery.
Field trial results announced — vaccine safe and effective
On April 12, 1955 Thomas Francis announced the national trial results: Salk's killed-virus polio vaccine was safe and effective; Salk hailed publicly.
Awarded Albert Lasker Award
Received the prestigious Lasker Award for his contributions to medicine and public health.
Jonas Salk Hall named (Municipal Hospital building)
The Municipal Hospital building where Salk conducted polio research at the University of Pittsburgh was renamed Jonas Salk Hall (home to School of Pharmacy and Dentistry).
Awarded James D. Bruce Memorial Award & elected to Polio Hall of Fame
Received the James D. Bruce Memorial Award and was elected to the Polio Hall of Fame (Warm Springs, Georgia).
Salk vaccine adopted worldwide (~90 countries)
By 1959 Salk's vaccine had been used in immunization campaigns in approximately 90 countries.
Sabin oral attenuated polio vaccine comes into commercial use
Albert Sabin's live attenuated oral polio vaccine began wide commercial use in 1961, complementing earlier use of Salk's IPV.
Dramatic drop in US polio cases
Polio cases in the U.S. dropped from an average of >45,000 in the two years prior to vaccine release to about 910 by 1962.
Founded the Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Established the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California — a purpose-built research center designed by Louis Kahn to unite science and humanism.
Salk Institute aided by major grants (~$20M NSF + support)
Founding of the Salk Institute was aided by a reported $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation and support from March of Dimes.
Promoted concept of 'biophilosophy'
NYT profile labeled Salk the 'Father of Biophilosophy' as he advocated combining biological science with humanistic thought.
Divorced Donna Lindsay
Ended his first marriage (they had three sons: Peter, Darrell and Jonathan).
Married Françoise Gilot
Married French painter Françoise Gilot in 1970 (Gilot had been Picasso's muse earlier).
Published 'Man Unfolding' (book)
Published Man Unfolding (1972), exploring biological perspectives on human life — part of his biophilosophy writings.
Published 'The Survival of the Wisest' (book)
Released The Survival of the Wisest (1973), further developing his ideas linking biology and human values.
Awarded Congressional Gold Medal and Jawaharlal Nehru Award
Received the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal and the Jawaharlal Nehru Award in recognition of his global contribution to public health.
Golden Plate Award and Named Humanist of the Year
Received the American Academy of Achievement's Golden Plate Award and was named Humanist of the Year by the American Humanist Association.
Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Jimmy Carter for his role in eradicating polio epidemics in the U.S.
Published 'World Population and Human Values: A New Reality'
Published book synthesizing his views on population, values, and biological perspectives (1981).
Decorated by Italy (Grand Officer, Order of Merit)
On January 3, 1981 Salk was decorated as Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
Published 'Anatomy of Reality: Merging of Intuition and Reason'
Published Anatomy of Reality (1983), continuing his interdisciplinary scholarship and biophilosophy.
Began AIDS vaccine research; co-founded Immune Response Corporation (IRC)
In the mid-1980s Salk engaged in AIDS vaccine research and co-founded the Immune Response Corporation with Kevin Kimberlin; Remune (immunologic therapy) was patented but later faced insurance/clinical hurdles.
Salk Institute — Congressional Gold Medal ceremony (photo noted May 16, 1991)
Public appearances continued; photo of Salk at the Institute in 1991, underscoring his long-term leadership role at the Salk Institute.
Died in La Jolla, California
Jonas Salk died of heart failure on June 23, 1995; his personal papers later deposited at UC San Diego Geisel Library.
March of Dimes establishes Jonas Salk Prize ($250,000)
Posthumous honor: March of Dimes created an annual $250,000 prize to outstanding biologists as a tribute to Salk.
U.S. Postal Service issues Jonas Salk commemorative stamp
USPS issued a 63-cent Distinguished Americans stamp honoring Jonas Salk.
Inducted into California Hall of Fame (posthumous)
Salk was inducted into the California Hall of Fame by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver.
PBS 'American Experience: The Polio Crusade' aired
PBS aired a documentary on the polio vaccine and campaign (American Experience: The Polio Crusade) in early 2009.
World premiere of 'The Shot Felt 'Round the World' documentary
Documentary about the Salk vaccine had its world premiere April 12, 2010 (55th anniversary of vaccine announcement).
World Polio Day observed (Oct 24)
October 24 designated World Polio Day (Rotary International / CDC observance tied to Salk's legacy).
Google Doodle honors Salk's 100th birthday
Google celebrated the 100th anniversary of Salk's birth with a Doodle depicting healthy children and a 'Thank you, Dr. Salk!' sign.
Key Achievement Ages
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