Kathleen Drew Baker By Veronica Rodriguez Ecol 475

Background  Born on November 6, 1901 in Leigh, Lanchester.  British scientist attended the University of California  Obtained her B.S. and M.S in Botany  She was awarded an Ashburn Hall Research Scholarship in 1922

Achievements  She issued 27 papers in botany; 24 of them were published.  In 1928, her work was published in the University of California Publications in Botany  In 1953, she became the first president of British Phycological Society.  During her 33 years of research in botany she collected over 2,700 species. botany she collected over 2,700 species.  After her death, the collection was donated to the British Museum. donated to the British Museum.

Discovery o Poryphyra o The “purple seaweed” Poryphyra was considered a single life history stage. o Poryphyra. o In 1949, Kathleen Drew Baker discovered the lifecycle of the seaweed Poryphyra. o Conchocelis rosea Poryphyra. o She realized the Conchocelis rosea was part of the life cycle of the Poryphyra. o o Porphyra has a trimorphic life history, with a thallus stage, carposporophyte stage and a filamentous Conchocelis phase (sporophyte stage).

Contribution o Her discovery lead to the establishment of an artificial nori-farming technology in Japan. o She helped the economy of Japan and provided reliable cultivation of Nori seeding. o Nori- (commonly known in Japan) name given to the processed Poryphyra into traditional food. o Before her discovery, the annual production of nori from 1925 to 1957 was 3-5,000 tons. o After her discovery, the annual production of nori from was 5,000-35,000 tons.

Nori Preparation: 1) Washed in freshwater to get rid of sediments. 2) Chopped into fine pieces. 3) Spread on frames to dry. Food: o o High amount of fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. o o Contains Vitamin A, Vitamin B, and zinc. o o Abundant amount of taurine – effective for liver activity o o Helps prevent gallstone disease o o Controls blood cholesterol levels o o Lowers risk of catacts

In Her Memory Monument in Japan: o Monument build inside the Sumiyoshi Shrine in Uto City in Kumamoto in 1963 (six years after her death). o Monument has the resemblance of Dr. Drew’s image inscribed on a monument. o In 2001, her 100 th aniversary was celebrated and her two children: Kathleen Fances Biggs and John Rendle Baker. Museum of Science and Industry o The Manchester’s New Science gallery have a microscope of Dr. Drew donated by his son.