Evelyn Nicol

Evelyn Marie Carmon Nicol (June 2, 1930 – May 27, 2020) was an American immunologist and microbiologist. She was the first scientist to isolate the herpes zoster virus,

Early life and education Nicol was born in Little Rock, Kentucky. Her parents were Daniel Eugene Carmon, a schoolteacher, and Margarite Wilson Carmon, a homemaker. When she graduated from high school, Nicol was offered a scholarship at Tuskegee University to study Home Economics. an enzyme used to dissolve blood clots. Two blind studies funded by Abbott Pharmaceuticals determined that the testing kits produced under Nicol's leadership were the best available. While at Baxter pharmaceuticals, Nicol used her seniority to combat workplace discrimination, and advocate for fairer hiring practices. For example, she hired Linda Smith, whose resume had initially been rejected, likely because she had studied at a historically Black university.

While she was working there, Pandex was bought by Nicol's former employer Abbott Laboratories. Nicol retired in 1990, refusing to work for a company that had been so openly discriminatory.

Personal life Nicol had three children. Upon retirement, she lived in Waukegan, Illinois, and later in Weston, Connecticut. Retirement allowed Evelyn to partake in her many hobbies such as oil painting, bridge, and tennis to name a few. At the age of 89, Nicol was hospitalized for a stroke, and was diagnosed with COVID-19. She died from complications of the virus in May 2020.