Born: 1897 (Braila, Kingdom of Romania)
Died: 1988 (Bucharest, Socialist Republic of Romania)
Biography:
Ana Aslan (Romanian pronunciation: [ˈana asˈlan]; born 1 January 1897, Braila, Kingdom of Romania – died 20 May 1988, Bucharest, Socialist Republic of Romania) was a Romanian biologist and physician of Armenian descent, born Anna Aslanyan. She was a specialist in gerontology, an academician from 1974, and the director of the National Institute of Geriatrics and Gerontology from 1958 until her death in 1988.
Ana was the youngest of four children, with two brothers and two sisters, born to Mkrtitch and Sofia Aslanyans. From a young age, Ana displayed exceptional intellect, learning to read and write by the age of four. Tragically, when she was just 13 years old, her father passed away. Following his death, her family decided to move to Bucharest, Romania. It was in Bucharest where Ana began her educational journey. She graduated from the Central School of Bucharest in 1915.
The untimely loss of her father, with whom she had a close bond, fueled Ana’s desire to become a physician. Despite the societal barriers that discouraged women from entering the medical field, Ana Aslan was determined to pursue her passion. In 1915, she enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine and embarked on her medical studies. Initially, her mother did not support her decision due to financial constraints. However, Ana Aslan went on a hunger strike until her mother relented and accepted her chosen career path.
During her undergraduate studies, Ana Aslan served as a nurse for soldiers during the First World War. This experience exposed her to the realities of human suffering and further solidified her commitment to medicine. After completing her medical degree in 1922, she began working under the supervision of Daniel Danielopolu, who oversaw her doctoral thesis. In 1924, she obtained her M.D. degree in cardiovascular physiology.
Ana Aslan’s research revolved around the field of physiology and the aging process. While studying the effects of procaine on arthritis, she inadvertently discovered additional benefits of the drug. This breakthrough led to a three-year study and the eventual development of her drug called Gerovital (H3), which she prescribed to combat the effects of aging. Despite skepticism from fellow scientists who dismissed Gerovital as a mere fountain of youth, Ana Aslan initiated a research study to substantiate its efficacy. Over a two-year period, blood samples were collected from 15,000 individuals, with some receiving Gerovital and others receiving a placebo. The results were compelling, as 40% of those who took Gerovital experienced fewer sick-leave days, and the mortality rate from the flu epidemic was significantly lower in patients who took the drug compared to those who received the placebo.
In collaboration with pharmacist Elena Polovrăgeanu, Ana Aslan invented another drug named Aslavital in 1976. Aslavital, similar to Gerovital, aimed to delay the aging process of the skin.
Throughout her career, Ana Aslan received numerous international distinctions for her groundbreaking research in the field of gerontology. Her work had a profound impact on society as she challenged prevailing notions about aging and pioneered new approaches to improving the quality of life for older individuals. With her dedication and relentless pursuit of scientific knowledge, Ana Aslan made significant contributions to the field of medicine and became an influential figure in women’s history.
Awards:
– List of awards or recognitions received by Ana Aslan.