Draft:Mathilda Benyesh Melnick

Dr. Mathilda Benyesh-Melnick, PhD (1926 – 2020) had dual careers as a scientist who researched in the area of virology, microbiology and oncology, and later worked as a psychiatrist. She was also known for her philanthropy and mentoring.

Early life
Beynesh-Melnick (nee Benyesh) was born on February 7, 1926 in Ruse, Bulgaria. She later attended university in Israel, earning a medical degree from the Hadassah Medical School (Hebrew University), after which she worked as a pediatrician in the Israeli army.

Career
Beynesh-Melnick came to the United States to study virology at Yale University, where she met her husband and co-researcher Dr. Joseph L. Melnick, PhD. They moved to Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas in 1958, where Melnick made chair of the department of virology and epidemiology. She and her husband were known for their contributions to polio vaccine research, examining the Sabin live virus anti-polio vaccine  and showing that the Sabin vaccine caused less nervous system damage than other vaccines.

Late Career
In 1976, she began her work as a psychiatrist.