| Ida Stephens Owens: Biochemist |
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Ida Stephens Owens was born September 26, 1929 in Newark, New York. Ida received her PhD in Biology-Physiology from Duke University in 1967. Ida made the front page in the Carolina Times because she was the first black woman to not only earn her Ph.D, but to ever receive a degree in this field of study at Duke. Ida is known for her research that is aimed at shedding light on how the human body defends itself against poison. She studies the biochemical and molecular genetics of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase as it relates to both health and disease states. She is focused on understanding the genetic basis of the detoxifying system responsible for removing noxious chemicals from the body. Ida is helping to determine the genetic basis of hyperbilirubinemic disease. This is being done by cloning, describing, and characterizing the enzyme system. They are hoping to provide an alternative to liver transplantation for children that are diagnosed with the lethal CN-I disease. Dr. Owens is known all around the world for her work on drug detoxifying enzymes. She has done numerous written key publications in scientific journals on the genetics of this enzyme system. She has been invited to many international scientific conferences so she can speak about her findings in this field. She likes to educate others about her line of work and her discoveries she has made. Dr. Owens is very outstanding in her research. Ida works at the National Institute of health in Maryland. She serves as the Head of the Section on Genetic Disorders of Drug Metabolism, Human Genetics Branch. She is researching genetics of detoxification enzymes. She is helping out with discovering ways to determine and maintain the health of children and adults. Dr. Owens will continue doing her research in Maryland until she retires. |
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