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Ida Stephens Owens was born
September 26, 1929 in Newark, New York, and received her PhD in
Biology-Physiology from Duke University in 1967. She was the first black woman, to not only earn her Ph.D, but
to ever receive a degree in this field of study at Duke. Her research interest focuses on the genetics and modulation of human endoplasmic
reticulum-bound detoxifying enzymes, UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT), which
rid the body of an unlimited number of endogenously and exogenously derived
chemical toxins.
Mrs.
Owens completed her undergraduate studies in Biology at the North Carolina
Central University and completed postdoctoral work with Y.J. Topper
in National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases (former)
(NIAMDD) followed by postdoctoral training with D.W. Nebert in National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development (NICHD). These experiences led to her preparation and opportunity of
receiving a tenure track position at NICHD.
During
her tenure time at NICHD Mrs. Owens has been committed to mentoring and
training students. There have been more than 80 summer interns,
postbaccalaureate trainees, and postdocs trained in her laboratory. She was also appointed as a Women
Scientist Advisor following a 1993 National Institute on Health (NIH) survey
that showed women scientists at the NIH were treated unfairly. Serving in this role, she monitors
unfair treatment of women within her institute.
Currently, Dr. Owens is the Chief of the
Section on Genetic Disorders of Drug Metabolism, and works with the Heritable
Disorders Branch, Program in Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, and the Division
of Intramural Research all located in Bethesda, MD.
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The mission of NSBE is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.
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