Rebeca Gerschman

Rebeca Gerschman (June 19, 1903 – April 4, 1986) was an Argentine biologist and physiologist who received a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Pharmacy from the University of Buenos Aires. Known for her advances in the field of biochemistry, she was the first scientist to propose—in 1954—that free radicals contributed to oxygen toxicity and cell aging and death. After receiving two successive degrees in biochemistry and pharmacy, she achieved her Ph.D. in 1937. Her thesis was about the determination of potassium in plasma. Following her Ph.D., she began researching at the University of Rochester and published her famous paper on oxygen poisoning. She was the first to suggest that oxygen free radicals caused cell death and aging. After years of researching, Gerschman returned to the University of Buenos Aires and began teaching in the Physiology Department. She retired at the age of 77 from teaching and died several years later in 1986 from aplastic anemia.

Early life and education Born to a wealthy ranching family in Carlos Casares, Argentina, Rebeca was able to attend school at a young age. After years of being ill with aplastic anemia, Gerschman died on April 4, 1986, at the age of 82.

Awards In her honor there is the Rebeca Gerschman Award.

Notable citations Gerschman, R. (1954). Oxygen poisoning and x-irradiation: a mechanism in common. In Glutathione (pp. 288–291). Academic Press. Gerschman, R., Gilbert, D. L., & Caccamise, D. (1958). Effect of various substances on survival times of mice exposed to different high oxygen tensions. American Journal of Physiology. Legacy Content, 192(3), 563-571. Fenn, W. O., & Gerschman, R. (1950). The loss of potassium from frog nerves in anoxia and other conditions. The Journal of general physiology, 33(3), 195. Gerschman, R., & Fenn, W. O. (1953). Ascorbic acid content of adrenal glands of rat in oxygen poisoning. American Journal of Physiology. Legacy Content, 176(1), 6-8. Gerschman, R., Gilbert, D. L., Nye, S. W., Nadig, P. W., & Fenn, W. O. (1954). Role of adrenalectomy and adrenal-cortical hormones in oxygen poisoning. American Journal of Physiology. Legacy Content, 178(2), 346-350.