Yvonne Barr

Yvonne Barr (11 March 1932 – 13 February 2016)[1] was a virologist who co-discovered the Epstein–Barr virus in 1964.[2]

Yvonne Barr
Born(1932-03-11)11 March 1932
Died13 February 2016(2016-02-13) (aged 83)
Melbourne, Australia
Alma materUniversity of London
Known forEpstein–Barr virus
Scientific career
FieldsVirology
Doctoral advisorMichael Anthony Epstein

Early life and education

She graduated with honours in zoology from Trinity College, Dublin.[3]

Career

Barr, along with her research supervisor, Michael Anthony Epstein (an English pathologist and virologist), discovered the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) during her PhD studies in 1964, whilst at Middlesex Hospital.[4][5] She joined the team at the Bland-Sutton Institute of Pathology in 1963. Barr graduated from the University of London in 1966 with a Ph.D.[4] She then moved to Melbourne, Australia to continue her career and begin a family.

Prior to determining specifics about EBV, Epstein, Barr, and Achong (one of Epstein's colleagues), published their preliminary research in The Lancet.[6] Barr was instrumental in the discovery of the Epstein-Barr virus, also called human herpesvirus 4, by preparing the samples used for experimentation.[5]

Personal life

Upon moving to Melbourne, she met and married Stuart Balding and had two children. Barr died in Melbourne, Australia at the age of 83.[1]

References
  1. "Yvonne Balding Deat Notice". The Age. 19 February 2016. Retrieved 2016-08-19.
  2. "Barr, Yvonne M. (1932-) – People and organisations". Trove. Retrieved 2019-02-11.
  3. James, D. Geraint (2009-05-01). "A chance meeting". QJM. 102 (5): 365–366. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcn167. ISSN 1460-2725. PMID 19318370.
  4. "Encyclopedia of Australian Science". Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  5. McGrath, Paula (6 April 2014). "Cancer virus discovery helped by delayed flight". BBC News, Health. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  6. "Chapter 28: Epstein Barr Virus". doi:10.1128/9781555819156.ch28. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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