Tu Youyou

Tu Youyou, born on December thirtieth, nineteen thirty, is a distinguished Chinese chemist and malariologist renowned for her groundbreaking contributions to tropical medicine. Her most notable achievement is the discovery of artemisinin, a potent compound used in the treatment of malaria, which has saved millions of lives across South China, Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America.

In recognition of her pioneering work, Tu was awarded the prestigious Lasker Award in clinical medicine in two thousand eleven, followed by the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in two thousand fifteen, which she shared with William C. Campbell and Satoshi Ōmura. This accolade marked her as the first Chinese laureate in Physiology or Medicine and the first female citizen of the People's Republic of China to receive a Nobel Prize in any category.

Tu Youyou's academic journey and research endeavors have been exclusively rooted in China, where she was born and educated. Her dedication to her field has not only earned her international acclaim but also the distinction of being the first Chinese recipient of the Lasker Award.

In September two thousand nineteen, she was honored with the Medal of the Republic, the highest honorary medal awarded by the People's Republic of China, further solidifying her legacy as a leading figure in medical science.