Marie Maynard Daly

Marie Maynard Daly was a pioneering scientist and the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry in the United States. Her research significantly advanced understanding of how blood vessels function and how diseases like heart disease and high blood pressure develop. She studied the tiny structures inside cells and discovered important links between cholesterol, arteries, and heart health. Daly’s work helped lay the foundation for preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases. Throughout her career, she broke racial and gender barriers in science, inspiring future generations of diverse researchers.