Carleton Gajdusek

Carleton Gajdusek was a scientist and physician known for researching infectious diseases, particularly neurological disorders. He is most famous for studying and identifying the cause of Kuru, a brain disease affecting the Fore people of Papua New Guinea. His work helped understand how certain diseases are transmitted through brain tissue and prion proteins—infectious agents that cause brain damage. In 1976, Gajdusek received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for this groundbreaking research. Despite his contributions, his career was marred by legal issues related to his personal conduct.