Michael Smith

Michael Smith (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Smith_%28chemist%29)

Michael Smith is a English molecular biologist that lived through World War 2 in Blackpool, England. Even though he struggled with his early education, he still pressed on for a Ph.D from Manchester University. Many people would give up on entering Manchester, because it is a very high-standard university. He then moved to Vancouver so he could study with the molecular biologist, Gobind Khorana, later winning many awards in his lifetime, like the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. Most of his earnings from all the awards were donated to more research on schizophrenia and cancer. Overall, I believe he is a hero because he has spent countless valuable hours dedicated to researching and never leaving any luxury for himself.

Michael Smith was born in April 26, 1932. His youth was filled with hardships like World War 2. Even though he has faced many hardships, like World War 2, and struggled with his early education, he still pursued his Ph.D. In 1966, he became a professor for UBC on biochemistry. In this part of his life, he was very active in the study of science, such as being the Director of the Biotechnology Laboratory. In the end, all his effort were rewarded.

Michael Smith has won many awards like being in the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, due to the fact that discovered how to alter DNA. At first, his idea on how to modify DNA was rejected for “not being of general interest” by a well known academic journal, but Michael did not give up. He worked insanely hard to try and get his work published, and eventually, it gets published. Then finally in 1993, Michael got an award; It was the Nobel Prize and later in 1999, he got the Royal Bank Award. All in all, he has spent countess hours researching and convincing others to get his papers published, all for the well being of others, while on the way, obtained some rewards.

When Michael received money from his Noble Prize, he did not hesitate to give all of his money to schizophrenia and the Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology. Later in 1999, he received money from the Royal Bank Award, and also donated all of it to the BC Cancer Foundation. He never kept any of his money for himself, which makes him an amazing person.

Michael Smith is a hero because he has spent countless hours finding out how to alter DNA, which helped advance technology, to make items such as insulin. Even though his ideas have been pushed away, he continued to pursue his until he was awarded. He has spent not only countless hours, but also a lot of money, by donating to more researched. Overall, Michael Smith is an astonishing man.