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Betty Higgin's Life and Career

Betty Higgin's was an accomplished American scientist and pioneer in the field of microbiology. She was born on May 3, 1919, in San Francisco, California. Her parents were both educators, and they instilled in her a love of learning from an early age. Betty attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a degree in bacteriology in 1941.

After college, Betty worked at the University of California, Berkeley, as a researcher. Her work focused on studying the bacteria that caused Whooping Cough. It was during this time that she discovered a way to grow the bacteria in the laboratory, which was a significant breakthrough at the time. This discovery allowed scientists to develop a vaccine that would help prevent the spread of this disease.

During World War II, Betty worked for the United States Army as an industrial microbiologist. Her work focused on developing vaccines and antibiotics for soldiers fighting overseas. It was during this time that she met her husband, William Fletcher, another scientist working for the Army. They were married in 1945 and had three children, one of whom became a scientist like her parents.

In 1951, Betty and her family moved to Washington, D.C., where she began working at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This was a significant turning point in her career. At the NIH, she led a team that discovered and isolated the virus that causes the disease known as "Kaposi's sarcoma." This discovery was critical because it allowed scientists to develop treatments for this rare but aggressive form of cancer.

Over the course of her career, Betty Higgin's received numerous awards and honors. In 1965, she was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, becoming only the third woman in history to receive this honor. She was also awarded the National Medal of Science in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush for her contributions to the field of microbiology.

Despite facing discrimination and bias as a woman in the field of science, Betty Higgin's persevered and made significant contributions to her field. Her work laid the foundation for future researchers, and her discoveries helped save countless lives. Her legacy continues to inspire and motivate scientists of all genders to pursue their passions and make meaningful contributions to the scientific community.