Born: 1939 (Whiteville, North Carolina)
Died: 2020
Biography:
Ida Stephens Owens (September 13, 1939 – February 24, 2020) was a renowned American scientist who made significant contributions to the study of drug-detoxifying enzymes. Born and raised in the small town of Whiteville, North Carolina, Owens overcame numerous challenges and became one of the first African Americans to receive a doctorate from Duke University, a distinction she shared with one other individual. She dedicated her career to groundbreaking research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where she conducted pioneering studies on the genetics of human diseases and drug metabolism. Owens’ work has left an indelible mark on the field of biomedical research, making her a trailblazer in the scientific community.
Ida Virginia Stephens Owens grew up on a farm in Whiteville, North Carolina. Her early life was marked by the tragedy of losing her mother at the tender age of six. Despite these hardships, Owens displayed an extraordinary aptitude for learning and excelled in her education. However, her early schooling was in segregated public schools, which speaks to the entrenched systemic racism of the era.
In 1961, Owens graduated summa cum laude from North Carolina College, now known as North Carolina Central University. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and also pursued a minor in Mathematics. Following her undergraduate studies, she served as a laboratory assistant at a National Science Foundation Summer Institute for High School Teachers at North Carolina College. During this time, she had the opportunity to spend a summer in the laboratory of Daniel C. Tosteson in the Department of Physiology at Duke University.
In 1962, Owens began her Ph.D. studies in biochemistry and physiology at Duke University, where she joined the laboratory of Jacob J. Blum. It is crucial to note that this was a historic moment for the university as it had only recently integrated its graduate and professional schools. Upon her graduation in 1967, Owens made history as one of the first African Americans, and the first woman, to receive a Ph.D. from Duke University. Moreover, she became the first woman to receive any degree in physiology from Duke, solidifying her place as a pioneer in her field.
Following the completion of her doctorate, Owens embarked on a postdoctoral position at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Initially, she worked in the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Metabolism at the then-called National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolic, and Digestive Diseases. Later, she joined the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) in the Section on Developmental Pharmacology within the Laboratory of Biomedical Sciences.
During her postdoctoral studies, Owens focused her research on the chemical processing of drugs within the human body. This would become the cornerstone of her scientific career. In 1975, Owens established her independent research group within the NICHD, specifically in the Section on Drug Biotransformation. Her pioneering work in this field led to the subsequent formation of the Section on Genetic Disorders of Drug Metabolism, which she diligently led.
Owens’ scientific advancements centered around a group of enzymes called UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), which play a pivotal role in detoxifying harmful substances in the body. Utilizing her expertise, she developed innovative methods to investigate the genes responsible for encoding specific UGT enzymes. Her research led to the identification of a complex of 13 genes known as UGT1A, with one of them being UGT1A1, responsible for processing the protein bilirubin, an essential breakthrough in the field.
Throughout her career, Owens received numerous accolades for her groundbreaking contributions to science. Her work and dedication earned her the distinction of being the first African American investigator at the NIH. Her influential research has not only shed light on the genetics of human diseases and drug metabolism but has also paved the way for future scientific advancements in these areas.
Ida Stephens Owens’ remarkable life and achievements have solidified her place as a trailblazing scientist and a true champion of women’s history. Her unwavering commitment to biomedical research, despite facing significant adversity, has left an enduring legacy that continues to inspire and impact generations to come.