Famous Black Scientists

Alice Ball was an African American chemist who developed the first successful treatment for those suffering from Hansen’s disease (leprosy).

African American chemist Percy Julian was a pioneer in the chemical synthesis of medicinal drugs such as cortisone, steroids and birth control pills.

Neil deGrasse Tyson is an American astrophysicist who hosted 'NOVA ScienceNow' and makes media appearances to encourage science and space exploration.

Ernest Everett Just was an African American biologist and educator best known for his pioneering work in the physiology of development, especially in fertilization.

Marie M. Daly is best known for being the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in chemistry in the United States.

Mae C. Jemison is the first African American female astronaut. In 1992, she flew into space aboard the Endeavour, becoming the first African American woman in space.

George Washington Carver was an African American scientist and educator. Carver is famous for many inventions including a number of uses for the peanut.

One of NASA's human 'computers,' Katherine Johnson performed the complex calculations that enabled humans to successfully achieve space flight. Her story is depicted in the 2016 movie 'Hidden Figures.'

In 1876, Edward Alexander Bouchet became the first African American to earn a doctorate degree in the United States.

Otis Boykin’s noteworthy inventions include a wire precision resistor and a control unit for the pacemaker. When he died in 1982, he had 26 patents in his name.