A person is born to live, create and benefit society. Maria Prokhorova is a biologist. She made an enormous contribution to the development of the Soviet biochemistry of the nervous system.
The road to the scientific world
Science is my life
Scientific creativity and career
Personal life
Good man
Contribution, celebrity
The road to the scientific world
She was born on July 20, 1901 in the village of Levoshkino (Levoshkino), Gdovsky District, Pskov Region. Until the age of 14 she lived in the village. From 1914 to 1917 she studied at a needlework school in Petrograd. From 1918 to 1920 she was educated at a secondary school. In September 1920, she entered the preparatory courses of the Leningrad University. Graduated from the biological department of the physics and mathematics faculty.
From 1925 to 1937, Maria Prokhorova worked as an observer-timekeeper at the Leningrad Institute of the BRA, and as a teacher at the Vytegorsk school of water transport. During this period, she completed her postgraduate studies at Leningrad University, defended her thesis for the degree of candidate of biological sciences.
After graduating from graduate school in 1934, Maria Prokhorova remained to work at the Physiological Institute of Leningrad State University as a senior researcher.
In 1937 she was appointed rector of the Perm University. During her work as rector, Maria Prokhorova wrote scientific works. By February 1938, she had 6 published scientific papers.
Science is my life
While working at Perm University, Maria dreamed of returning to scientific activity and several times wrote applications for her dismissal from the post of rector. The reason was always the same - the desire to continue scientific work in the field of biochemistry.
In June 1940, her dream came true. She returned to Leningrad University. She was appointed assistant professor of the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology.
During World War II, Maria Prokhorova conducted scientific and practical work on the study of gas gangrene, trying to find an effective way to treat gangrene in wounded soldiers.
Scientific creativity and career
After the war, Maria continued to work at the Leningrad University at the Department of Metabolism. In 1955 she became the director of the A. A. Ukhtomsky Physiological Institute.
At the Leningrad University in 1961, thanks to the initiative of M. I. Prokhorova, a specialized laboratory for the biochemistry of the nervous system appeared. Under her leadership, for the first time in Russia, they began to use radioactive carbon in experiments on animals. Methodical approaches of M. I. Prokhorova changed the provisions on carbohydrate, lipid and energy metabolism of the brain that existed in the scientific world. Scientific developments of M. I. Prokhorova contributed to the creation of the school of neurochemists at Leningrad University. Subsequently M. I. Prokhorova was elected a member of the International Neurochemical Society. This is how the career of a Soviet female scientist developed.
Personal life
Maria Illarionovna devoted all her time to science. She was not married and had no children. Her family included a sister and nephew, with whom she lived in Leningrad. She failed to find happiness in her personal life. Scientific work has become a priority for her.
Contribution, celebrity
All his experience and knowledge of M. I. Prokhorova passed it on to her students. She has trained more than 40 candidates and 6 doctors of biological sciences, wrote about 200 scientific papers, including the first Russian textbook "Neurochemistry".
She was loved and respected by everyone who worked with her - people of all ages. She was sympathetic and kind, open and charitable.
The boundless dedication to science and scientific achievements of M. I. Prokhorova were appreciated by society. In 1965, by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR, Maria Prokhorova was awarded the honorary title "Honored Scientist of the RSFSR." She was awarded the Order of Lenin and the Badge of Honor.
Maria Illarionovna lived a long and fruitful life. She passed away in 1993 at the age of 92.
