Agnes J. Quirk

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Agnes J. Quirk
inventor

Agnes J. Quirk (1884–1974) was an American

plant pathologist, and inventor.[1] She oversaw the culturing of bacteria in the Laboratory of Plant Pathology at the United States Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Plant Industry.[2] She received a patent[3] for the production of penicillin mold and jelly in 1952.[4]

Life and career

Hired by B.T. Galloway, who headed the Laboratory of Plant Pathology at the USDA's Bureau of Plant Industry. There, in 1901, she became an assistant to pathologist-in-charge Erwin Frink Smith, who was "proud of his record of appointing women to work at the department."[4][5][6]

Quirk's research focused on

crown gall oxidation phenomena and culture mediums used in pathogenic analyses, working alongside Nellie A. Brown.[5] Her original job titles at the laboratory consisted of "laboratory aide" and "scientific assistant".[7] While a lab assistant, Quirk had three of her own assistants who helped her prepare growth media.[8] She also invented a new apparatus to help measure amounts of media more accurately and without funnels.[8]

In 1923, she worked with Edna H. Fawcett to publish a paper concerning the hydrogen-ion concentration in culture mediums. Their joint research considered "the approximate ranges of growth (acid-alkaline) of more than 24 bacteria pathogenic to plants."[4]

From 1928 to 1948, Quirk was the head of the laboratory.

Society of American Bacteriologists, Quirk presented "A Five-fold Technic for Producing the Filterable Form of Bacillus phytophthorus," showcasing her skills in bacteriology.[10] As a bacteriologist with experience, Quirk would share out different culturing techniques, like a formula for potato agar and a novel growth medium.[11]

Selected publications

References

  1. The Portsmouth Times. Portsmouth, Ohio
    : John Clark. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  2. ^ Padgett, Edward R. (July 30, 1916). Women who do unusual work for Uncle Sam. Sunday Vindicator
  3. ^ United States. Patent Office (1952). Official gazette of the United States Patent Office. The Office. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  4. ^
    ISBN 9780415920407
  5. ^
    ISBN 978-0-521-23032-2
    . Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  6. ISBN 978-0-89054-359-7
    . Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  7. ^ a b c Agnes J. Quirk (1923). Hydrogen-ion concentration vs. titratable acidity in culture mediums. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  8. ^ a b "Norwich Bulletin". Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. 23 March 1916.
  9. ^ "Science Source - Agnes J. Quirk, American Bacteriologist". www.sciencesource.com. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  10. PMID 16559534
    .
  11. OCLC 37532619.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link
    )
  12. ISBN 9781135963422
    .

External links
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