Tu Youyou

On December 30, 1930, Tu Youyou was born in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China. Tu Youyou would grow up to become a prominent pharmaceutical chemist and was later known for her groundbreaking work in the discovery of artemisinin, a drug used to treat malaria. This discovery has saved millions of lives and earned her worldwide recognition, propelling her into the scientific limelight.

In 1969, during China's Cultural Revolution, the Chinese government initiated a secret project known as Project 523, named after its starting date, May 23. Tu Youyou was appointed as the head of a research group to discover treatments for malaria, which was a major problem for Chinese soldiers in the jungles of Southeast Asia at the time. Her involvement in this project would lead to her groundbreaking work in antimalarial drug discovery.

On November 8, 1971, Tu Youyou and her team discovered artemisinin, an extract from the plant Artemisia annua, which showed remarkable efficacy against the malaria parasite. Her discovery was critical in the development of effective malaria treatments, especially in regions where the disease is endemic. Artemisinin and its derivatives are now standard treatments for malaria worldwide.

In October 1972, Tu Youyou published her detailed findings on artemisinin and its efficacy in treating malaria. This paper laid the foundation for the development of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), which have become the standard treatment for malaria and have saved millions of lives worldwide. Her work was initially kept secret due to the political climate in China at the time.

By 1992, artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) were developed and implemented as a standard treatment for malaria. These therapies combine artemisinin with another antimalarial drug to increase efficacy and reduce the chance of resistance. Tu Youyou's research played a significant role in the development of ACTs, revolutionizing malaria treatment globally.

On September 23, 2011, Tu Youyou was awarded the Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award for her role in the discovery of artemisinin, a drug therapy for malaria that has saved millions across the globe, especially in the developing world. The Lasker Awards are among the most respected science prizes in the world, often seen as a precursor to the Nobel Prize.

On October 5, 2015, Tu Youyou was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. She was honored for her discoveries concerning a novel therapy against malaria. Tu Youyou became the first Chinese citizen to receive the Nobel Prize in a scientific category, marking a significant achievement in the field of medicine and bringing global recognition to her research on artemisinin.

On May 25, 2017, Tu Youyou was awarded the Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research for her pioneering work in the discovery of artemisinin. This prize is one of the largest awards in medicine in the United States and highlights Tu Youyou's substantial contributions to the field of biomedical research and global health.

On June 17, 2019, Tu Youyou published new insights into overcoming artemisinin resistance, a growing concern in malaria treatment. Her research team identified various strategies to enhance the effectiveness of artemisinin and extend its longevity as a treatment, demonstrating her continued influence and active role in antimalarial research.

In September 2021, Tu Youyou was inducted as a member of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in recognition of her significant contributions to medical science, particularly her groundbreaking work in antimalarial drug discovery. This honor represents her enduring legacy and the impact of her scientific achievements in improving global health.