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Marvin Louis Lewbart

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Marvin Louis Lewbart
Born(1929-05-28)28 May 1929
Died5 April 2023(2023-04-05) (aged 93)
NationalityAmerican
Alma materPhiladelphia College of Pharmacy
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
Jefferson Medical College
University of Minnesota
Spouse(s)Virginia Whiteford (spouse)
Barbara Langford (partner)
Elaine Barlow (partner)
ChildrenFour; Gregory Aldo, Daniel Taylor, Randolph Charles, Keith John
Scientific career
FieldsSteroid chemistry, Molecular biology, Biochemistry, Medicine
InstitutionsUniversity of Basel
Crozer-Chester Medical Center
Franklin Mint
Doctoral advisorDr. John Schneider (mentor)
Tadeus Reichstein

Marvin Louis Lewbart (May 28, 1929 – April 5, 2023)[1] was an American physician and scientist who worked in steroid chemistry, molecular biology, and biochemistry. His work contributed to advancements in biochemical research, particularly in steroidal glyoxals and molecular structures.

Early life and education

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Lewbart was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[1] He studied pharmacy at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, earning a Bachelor of Science in 1951 and a Master of Science in 1953.[1][2] He obtained a Doctor of Medicine from Jefferson Medical College in 1957 and a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Minnesota.[1][2] He completed an internship at Lankenau Hospital in 1958. At Jefferson, he was mentored by Dr. John Schneider, whom he credited as a key influence in his academic development.[1]

Career and research

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Dr. Lewbart conducted research in steroid chemistry and molecular biology, with a focus on steroidal reactions and molecular structures. His first paper, published in Nature in 1955, examined steroid paper chromatography. He worked with Nobel Laureate Tadeus Reichstein at the University of Basel, publishing two papers together on compounds isolated from the tropical plant, Gangronema gazense.[1]

He worked for the Franklin Mint and conducted research in labs at Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Voorhees, New Jersey.[3][4][5][6][7] He continued his research until his retirement at age 90 in 2019.[1][6]

Lewbart held multiple patents in biochemistry and molecular biology,[1] with his findings focusing on steroid chemistry applications in medicine.[8][9]

Academic contributions

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Dr. Lewbart was awarded the Henry Keller Mohler Memorial Prize for undergraduate excellence in therapeutics in 1957.[10] He presented research on steroid conjugates at the Laurentian Hormone Conference, co-authoring "Fractionation and Isolation of Steroid Conjugates" with Dr. John J. Schneider. His work on steroid glucuronosides and sulphates contributed to the development of paper chromatography techniques for separating steroid conjugates.[11]

Personal life

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Lewbart played semi-professional baseball and was nicknamed "Lefty" due to his left-handedness. His father, Abraham, played basketball for the South Philadelphia Hebrew Association, a precursor to the Philadelphia 76ers.[1] He was married to Virginia Whiteford[12] and later partnered with Barbara Langford and Elaine Barlow.[1] He had four sons: Gregory, Daniel, Randolph, and Keith.[1]

Death

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Dr. Lewbart died on April 5, 2023, at the age of 93.[1] He was buried at Crescent Memorial Park in Pennsauken, New Jersey.[1]

Award

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  • Henry Keller Mohler Memorial Prize (1957) for undergraduate excellence in therapeutics.[10][13]

Selected patents

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Selected publications

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References

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