Alice Ball

Definition

Alice Augusta Ball was an African American chemist who developed a treatment for Hansen's disease (leprosy) that was much more effective than the treatments that were available at the time. She was the first African American woman to earn a master's degree in chemistry from the University of Hawaii.

Ball was born in Seattle, Washington, in 1892. She was the daughter of a teacher and a minister. She showed an early aptitude for science, and she attended the University of Washington, where she earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1915.

After graduating, Ball moved to Hawaii to work as a research assistant at the University of Hawaii. She was working on a treatment for Hansen's disease when she developed a new method of extracting the active ingredient from chaulmoogra oil, a plant oil that had been used to treat the disease for centuries.

Ball's method was much more effective than the previous methods, and it made the treatment much more affordable. Her work was a major breakthrough in the fight against Hansen's disease, and it helped to save many lives.

Ball died of tuberculosis in 1916, at the age of 24. She was posthumously awarded a master's degree in chemistry from the University of Hawaii in 1949.

Ball was a brilliant chemist, and her work has had a profound impact on the fight against Hansen's disease. She was a pioneer in the field of chemistry, and she paved the way for other African American women to pursue careers in science.

Here are some of the key things to know about Alice Ball:

She was an African American chemist.
She developed a treatment for Hansen's disease (leprosy).
She was the first African American woman to earn a master's degree in chemistry from the University of Hawaii.
Her work has had a profound impact on the fight against Hansen's disease.
She was a pioneer in the field of chemistry.
She paved the way for other African American women to pursue careers in science.

How can the word be used?

Ball's work has had a lasting impact on the treatment of leprosy, and it continues to inspire scientists today.

Different forms of the word

Alice Ball is a proper noun.

Etymology

The name "Alice Ball" is of English origin. The given name "Alice" is of Germanic origin and means "noble". The surname "Ball" is of uncertain origin, but it may be derived from the Old English word "beall", which means "beautiful".

The name "Alice Ball" is therefore a combination of two words that both have positive connotations. This is perhaps a fitting name for someone who was such a brilliant and promising young chemist.

Question

What is Alice Ball famous for?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question: How did Alice Ball's work with leprosy contribute to the development of modern medicine?

Alice Ball was a young African American chemist who made significant contributions to the treatment of leprosy. She developed a new way to administer the drug chaulmoogra oil, which made it more effective and less painful. Her work helped to save the lives of many people with leprosy.

Ball's work was groundbreaking because it showed that chaulmoogra oil could be made into a more effective and less painful treatment for leprosy. Before Ball's work, chaulmoogra oil was administered orally, which was often ineffective and caused nausea and vomiting. Ball found that chaulmoogra oil could be made into an injectable form, which was much more effective and easier to tolerate.

Ball's work was also important because it showed that it was possible for African Americans to make significant contributions to the field of science. At the time, African Americans were often excluded from scientific research, but Ball's work showed that they were just as capable as anyone else of making important discoveries.

Ball's work has had a lasting impact on the treatment of leprosy. Her work helped to make chaulmoogra oil a more effective and less painful treatment, and it paved the way for the development of other treatments for leprosy.

Ball's work is an inspiration to scientists of all backgrounds. She showed that it is possible to overcome discrimination and make significant contributions to science. Her work has helped to improve the lives of millions of people with leprosy, and it will continue to inspire scientists for generations to come.