Edwin T. Mertz

Edwin Theodore Mertz (December 6, 1909 – February 1, 1999) was an American chemist and biochemist. Mertz was noted for co-discovery of high-lysine corn which significantly increased protein levels in corn and beans.

Life and career

 * 1909 born in Missoula, Montana
 * 1931 B.A with a double major in chemistry and mathematics from the University of Montana
 * 1933 M.S. from the University of Illinois, Urbana
 * 1935 Ph.D. from the University of Illinois
 * 1935-1937 a research biochemist at Armour and Company in Chicago
 * 1937-1938 an instructor in biochemistry at the University of Illinois
 * 1937 married Mary Ellen Ruskamp
 * 1938-1940 a research associate in pathology at the University of Iowa's medical school
 * 1940-1943 an instructor in agricultural chemistry at the University of Missouri
 * 1943-1946 a research chemist in an explosives manufacturing factory at Hercules Powder Company
 * 1946-1950 an assistant professor of agricultural chemistry at Purdue University
 * 1950-1957 an associate professor of biochemistry at Purdue University
 * 1957 a professor of biochemistry at Purdue University
 * professor emeritus at Purdue University until his death in 1999
 * 1975 elected to the National Academy of Sciences
 * 1999 death from complications of pneumonia

Honors and awards
Mertz was a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a recipient of the following awards and distinctions:
 * 1987 Richard Newbury McCoy Award from Purdue University
 * 1967 John Scott Award in from the City of Philadelphia
 * 1968 Hoblitzelle National Award in the Agricultural Sciences (Texas)
 * 1968 Congressional Medal of the Federal Land Banks in for the discovery of high-lysine corn
 * 1970 Kenneth A Spencer award from the American Chemical Society
 * 1972 Osborne-Mendell Award from the American Institute of Nutrition
 * 1973 Distinguished Service Award from the University of Montana
 * 1974 Edward W. Browning Award in for "outstanding contributions to mankind in the improvement of the food supply"
 * 1975 Honorary Master Farmer Award of the Prairie Farmer Magazine "for leadership and distinguished service to American Agriculture"
 * 1975 Elected to the National Academy of Sciences
 * 1976 Chemical Pioneer Award from the American Institute of Chemists

Purdue University has established the Edwin T. Mertz Memorial Scholarship in his name.