Millicent Goldschmidt

Millicent "Mimi" Edna Goldschmidt (née Cohen; born June 1, 1926) is an American microbiologist. She is known for her pioneering work in the field of astrobiology in addition to her medical research and her contributions to rapid testing methods for detecting microbial contaminants.

Early life and education Born June 1, 1926, Goldschmidt grew up in Erie, PA and grew interested in biology when examining her natural surroundings as a girl scout. By age 10, she had decided to become a biologist.

Goldschmidt received a B.A. in 1947 from Case Western Reserve University in concentrated sciences. Her Ph.D. thesis was entitled Factors Affecting the Oxidation of Acetate by Micrococcus pyogenes var. aureus, completed under the supervision of Dr. Dorothy M. Powelson. Her master's degree project was about penicillin growth, and her findings improved commercial penicillin production yields.

Career and research After finishing her Ph.D., Goldschmidt worked in Fort Detrick, studying the effect of chemical explosions on microorganisms for George Washington University. For 30 years, she taught a two-week summer course at Kansas State University on rapid detection methods with a focus on food and cosmetic microbiology. Her work addresses detection of Candida and Salmonellae.

Another contribution is her later medical research into the microbiological aspects of oral hygiene and facial procedures. Her work has included the considerations of antifungal agents in facial prosthetic silicone, investigations into microbial contamination in denture adhesives, and other studies concerning denture wearers, toothbrushes and toothpastes.

Goldschmidt has been a member and volunteer of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) since 1975. At UT Houston, her advocacy led to the creation of courses to prevent sexual harassment. In 1978, she wrote an article promoting microbiology to students at the secondary level, illustrating the many potential career areas. As part of her involvement with the National Association of Biology Teachers, she took on the role of chairperson of the Texas Outstanding Biology Teacher Award Committee. 2011 ASM Founders Distinguished Service Award 2009 Roche Diagnostics Alice C. Evans Award, a recognition of contributions toward the full participation and advancement of women in microbiology 2006 Outstanding Alumni, Purdue Department of Biological Sciences Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology Lifetime Achievement Award from the Texas Branch of the American Society for Microbiology

Personal life Goldschmidt married Eugene Goldschmidt, whom she met while in graduate school. After her marriage and during her pregnancy, her motives in attending graduate school and her commitment to research were questioned by colleagues in the Department of Biological Sciences at Purdue, who suggested that she would not have a productive career. Though she ultimately did follow her husband as he changed jobs, she consistently worked part- or full-time wherever they were located, even while pregnant. Goldschmidt and her husband had two children, born in 1953 and 1956. Eugene Goldschmidt died in 1980.

Goldschmidt is interested in paleontology and collects fossils.

Selected publications Goldschmidt is cited either as "Millicent C. Goldschmidt" or "Millicent E. Goldschmidt", based on her maiden name Cohen and middle name Edna.