James V. Neel

James V. Neel
Born
James Van Gundia Neel

(1915-03-22)March 22, 1915
DiedFebruary 1, 2000(2000-02-01) (aged 84)
EducationCollege of Wooster, University of Rochester (Ph.D.)
Known forDeveloping understanding of the influence of environment on genes
AwardsAlbert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, William Allan Award, National Medal of Science
Scientific career
FieldsHuman genetics
InstitutionsUniversity of Michigan Department of Genetics

James Van Gundia Neel (March 22, 1915 – February 1, 2000) was an American geneticist who played a key role in the development of human genetics as a field of research in the United States. He made important contributions to the emergence of genetic epidemiology and pursued an understanding of the influence of environment on genes. In his early work, he studied sickle-cell disease and acatalasia. conducted research on the effects of radiation on survivors of the Hiroshima atomic bombing.