Phyllis Clinch

Phyllis E. M. Clinch (12 September 1901 – 19 October 1984) was an Irish botanist most recognised for her work in the field of plant viruses.

Clinch attained her undergraduate degree from University College Dublin in 1923, achieving first place in the course with a first class honours in botany and chemistry. She was then awarded a scholarship and continued to study under Joseph Doyle at University College Dublin obtaining a master's in 1924. She went on to study a PhD in plant physiology, specializing in the biochemistry of Coniferales. She worked with Alexandre Guilliermond in the Sorbonne on cytology (1928-9). In 1929 she became a research assistant for the investigation of plant virus diseases, department of plant pathology, University College, Dublin. In 1942, she served as an elected member of the Royal Dublin Society scientific council, and later she served as part of the council and then vice president. She retired in 1971.

Early life Phyllis Clinch was born on 12 September 1901 in Rathgar, Dublin, to James and Mary Clinch. She was their fourth daughter. It was here that her interest in science was cultivated: "This progressive school taught science to girls in the early 1900s and Phyllis, liking the nun who taught chemistry, chose chemistry over history in her later years in school". She continued her studies at the University College Dublin (UCD) where she studied from 1919 to 1923 and graduated with first-class honors degrees in chemistry and botany. She was elected to the RIA council in 1973, where she served from 1973 to 1977, and she served as vice-president from 1975 to 1977. The portraits were created by Vera Klute, and relatives of the women were present as the portraits were unveiled. The portraits were a result of the Women on the Walls campaign, created by Accenture, which works to promote the careers of women in STEM. She identified symptomless viruses and viruses that damaged potato stocks. Her findings about viruses were then used by the Department of Agriculture to develop potatoes free of diseases for farmers which was beneficial to the Irish potato industry.