Mellanby, Helen (1911–2001)

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Mellanby, Helen (1911–2001)

Scottish-Canadian zoologist and physician. Name variations: Agnes Helen Neilson Mellanby. Born Agnes Helen Neilson, June 7, 1911, in Montreal, Canada; died from pneumonia, May 26, 2001; London's University College, BS, 1931, PhD, 1937; University of Sheffield Medical School, MD, 1949; m. Dr. Kenneth Mellanby.

Studied tsetse fly reproduction in Entebbe, Uganda (1935); at the Medical Research Council (MRC) in Mill Hill, London, studied the development of enamel teeth and the effects of maternal vitamin deficiencies (1940–53); conducted clinical trials on influenza vaccines at National Institute for Medical Research during influenza outbreak of 1947; studied hypertension upon her return to clinical medicine (1953); opened a Leicester private practice; maintained lifelong connection to Scottish background and summered in a northern Scotland cottage after retirement. Writings include Animal Life in Fresh Water: A Guide to British Fresh-water Invertebrates (1938).