The Resume

(March 11, 1936-May 28, 2023)
Born in Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Virologist
Discovered that the human papilloma virus (HPV) can cause cervical cancer
Co-recipient of the <28205>Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2008)

Why he might be annoying:

He initially had trouble interesting pharmaceutical companies in developing an HPV vaccine, with many insisting there was no market for it.
There was controversy over his Nobel Prize after it was revealed that Bo Angelin, a member of the Nobel committee, also sat on the board of Astra Zeneca, which earns patent royalties on HPV vaccines.
In addition, Astra Zeneca had entered into a partnership with Nobel Web and Nobel Media to sponsor lectures and produce documentaries to increase public interest in the Prizes.

Why he might not be annoying:

His discoveries led to the development of HPV vaccines that can prevent up to 90% of cervical cancers.
No evidence came to light that Astra Zeneca had played any role in the decision to award him the Nobel Prize.
His research was widely viewed by scientific colleagues as worthy of the Nobel Prize.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• 20th Century Scientists
• 21st Century Scientists
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 88]
• I Died in 2023 (Ranked: 87)
• I Earned a Doctorate
• Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine (Ranked: 2008)
• Profiles 54501-54750 (Ranked: 54528)
• Scientists

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 118 Votes: 69.49% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying