On Oct. 5, microbiologist Satoshi Omura, who received a Doctor of Science Honorary Degree from Wesleyan in 1994, received a Nobel Prize in Medicine for discovering “therapies that have revolutionized the treatment of some of the most devastating parasitic diseases.” Omura’s association with Wesleyan began in 1971 when he spent a year working with the late Professor of Chemistry Max Tischler. During this time, he discovered a microorganism in the soil that contains a bacteria-killing chemical.
He and Professor Tischler presented their research to Merck, Sharp & Dohme, which developed the drug Ivermectin. Ivermectin has nearly eradicated river blindness.
Read more in this New York Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/06/science/william-c-campbell-satoshi-omura-youyou-tu-nobel-prize-physiology-medicine.html