Rebecca Lancefield

Rebecca Lancefield was an American microbiologist known for her groundbreaking work on streptococci bacteria. In the 1930s, she developed a classification system for these bacteria based on their carbohydrate composition, identifying different groups, including Group A strep, which can cause diseases such as strep throat and scarlet fever. Her research helped in understanding bacterial infections and laid the groundwork for future studies in immunology and vaccine development. Lancefield's contributions greatly advanced medical microbiology and improved diagnostic methods for bacterial infections, making her a significant figure in the field.