Elizabeth McCoy

Elizabeth McCoy (February 1, 1903 – March 24, 1978) was an American microbiologist and a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Early life She was born in Madison, Wisconsin, February 1, 1903. Her fascination with microbiology began early on the family farm where she lived with her family. Her parents, Esther Williamson and Cassius James McCoy, both attended college. Her mother was a professor and then an active practicing nurse for six years.

Education McCoy was able to further her interest by studying agricultural bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin as an undergraduate. this discovery enabled to the drug's widespread commercial production. This led to improved growing methods of the world’s first antibiotic which was used to treat life-threatening infections suffered by allied troops.

Career In 1930, she joined the University of Wisconsin-Madison faculty after earning her degrees there, and was one of the first women to become a full professor there. She was one of the first prominent women within the field. Clostridium is a genus of anaerobic, Gram-positive bacteria. Through more research of acetone/butanol microbial fermentations, her research led to the development of a phage-resistant Clostridium madisonni. a model organism important to developing our understanding of the Acetyl Co-A metabolic pathway.

She continued research in antibiotics and was able to isolate the antibiotic oligomycin. Olygomycin is an inhibitor of ATP synthase and blocks protons from entering the membrane. Further research on oligomycin has led to compounds that are being studied in relation to cancer treatments.

She retired in 1973.

Personal life The McCoy Farmhouse in Fitchburg, where she lived from 1949 until her death, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Selected publications