Anthony W. Norman

Anthony W. Norman (January 1938 – June 14, 2019) was a professor emeritus of biochemistry and biomedical sciences at the University of California, Riverside and one of the world's foremost experts on vitamin D.[1]

Anthony W. Norman
BornJanuary 1938
Ames, Iowa, U.S.
DiedJune 14, 2019(2019-06-14) (aged 81)
Alma materOberlin College B.S. (1959), University of Wisconsin, Madison M.S (1961), Ph.D (1963)
Known forKey discoveries in the biochemistry and mechanisms of action of Vitamin D
SpouseHelen Henry
Scientific career
Fieldsbiochemistry, biomedical science, Vitamin D
InstitutionsUniversity of California, Riverside, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Utrecht, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, University of California, San Francisco
Doctoral advisorH. F. Deluca

Vitamin D Research

Norman's research was in the area of cellular and molecular endocrinology, where he was internationally known for his breakthroughs in the study of vitamin D.[2] This included the mechanisms of action of the steroid hormone 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, vitamin D structure-function relationships, and actions of the vitamin D receptor (VDR).[1]

In 1967, Norman's lab discovered that vitamin D is converted into a steroid hormone by the body. In 1969 he determined that vitamin D receptors (VDR) were present in the intestine.[3]

In 1971 the Norman laboratory reported the chemical structure of the active form of vitamin D to be 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (which is also known as 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and 1α,25-(OH)2D3).[4]

In 1972, Norman in collaboration with Dr. Jack Coburn at the UCLA medical school treated the first uremic patients with the steroid hormone, produced in the Norman laboratory.[5]

Norman and others, including Dr. Cedric Garland of UC San Diego, in 2007/8 made the recommendation that the daily intake of vitamin D for adults be revised to 2000 international units.[6][7]

Vitamin D workshops

One of his most recognised achievements was the organisation of 15 international Vitamin D Workshops which usually ran every three years from 1973 to 2012.[8]

Personal life

His wife, Helen Henry, predeceased him in 2018. He had three children and nine grandchildren.[2]

Selected honors and awards
  • Presidential chair, biochemistry department, UCR 7/1/99 - 2009
  • Graduate Student Mentor Award, UCR, June 2005
  • Fellow of American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1995
  • William F. Neuman Award, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, 1995
  • MERIT Award from National Institutes of Health, 1986-1993 (standard award period is five years)
  • Osborne & Mendel Award, American Institute of Nutrition, 1990
  • Faculty Research Lecturer, University of California, Riverside, 1982
  • Prix Andre Lichtwitz, INSERM, Paris, France, 1981
  • Ernst Oppenheimer Award, Endocrine Society, 1977
  • Mead Johnson Award, American Institute of Nutrition, 1977
  • Fulbright Fellowship, 1970/71

Other Achievements
  • Chair of the UCR Department of Biochemistry, July 1976 - June 1981
  • Dean of UCR Biomedical Sciences Program, July 1986 - Sept. 1991.
  • Chair of the UCR Faculty Academic Senate from Sept. 2008 through August 2010.
  • Faculty athletic representative for the UC Riverside Athletics Department through Sept. 2010.[2]

Publications

Norman has been an author on over 800 scientific publications dating back to 1959.

A special issue on vitamin D dedicated to Norman's memory was published in 2021 with contributions from many of his collaborators and other notable scientists.[9]

References
  1. Norman, AW (2001). "On becoming a molecular endocrinologist". Steroids. 66 (3–5): 129–36. doi:10.1016/s0039-128x(00)00231-2. PMID 11179720. S2CID 28973187.
  2. CNAS Dean's Office. "Remembering Distinguished Professor Emeritus Anthony Norman (1938-2019)". UCR. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  3. University of California (13 Nov. 2008). "Vitamin D Expert at UC Riverside Leads UC Scientists' Call Recommending Increase in Daily Vitamin D Intake". Press release
  4. Norman, AW; Myrtle, JF; Midgett, RJ; Nowicki, HG; Williams, V; Popják, G (2 July 1971). "1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol: identification of the proposed active form of vitamin D3 in the intestine". Science. 173 (3991): 51–4. Bibcode:1971Sci...173...51N. doi:10.1126/science.173.3991.51. PMID 4325863. S2CID 35236666.
  5. Brickman, AS; Coburn, JW; Norman, AW (2 November 1972). "Action of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, a potent, kidney-produced metabolite of vitamin D, in uremic man". The New England Journal of Medicine. 287 (18): 891–5. doi:10.1056/NEJM197211022871801. PMID 4342432.
  6. Vieth, R; Bischoff-Ferrari, H; Boucher, BJ; Dawson-Hughes, B; Garland, CF; Heaney, RP; Holick, MF; Hollis, BW; Lamberg-Allardt, C; McGrath, JJ; Norman, AW; Scragg, R; Whiting, SJ; Willett, WC; Zittermann, A (March 2007). "The urgent need to recommend an intake of vitamin D that is effective". The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 85 (3): 649–50. doi:10.1093/ajcn/85.3.649. PMID 17344484.
  7. Vitamin D Society (24 Nov. 2008). "Raise 'D' to 2,000 IU Daily: 18 Experts". "The Vitamin D Society". Archived from the original on 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2011-05-27.
  8. Norman, AW; Bikle, D; Bouillon, R (July 2013). "Fifteenth vitamin D workshop". The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 136: 1–2. doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2013.05.013. PMC 4102609. PMID 23768771.
  9. Bouillon R, Haussler M, Bikle D, Christakos S, Welsh J (January 2021). "Introduction: Special Issue on Vitamin D Dedicated to the Memory of Anthony W Norman". JBMR Plus. 5 (1): e10445. doi:10.1002/jbm4.10445. PMC 7839816. PMID 33553991.
  • "On Becoming a Molecular Endocrinologist", Steroids 66 (2001) p. 129
  • Vitamin D Workshop
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