Branson, Herman Russell

Impact on the world

Conducted theoretical physics research alongside Linus Pauling that contributed to the discovery of the alpha helix structure in proteins, a foundational finding in molecular biology and biochemistry, and went on to serve as president of two universities.

Life & background

A physicist, Branson worked in Linus Pauling's research group calculating possible helical structures for proteins, contributing theoretical work that fed into the discovery of the alpha helix, a structure foundational to modern molecular biology. He went on to serve as president of Central State University and Lincoln University.

Sources

1. AIP Black and African American Physicists Research Guide; BlackPast.org; Harvard SITN (Science in the News)