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Graduate from 1800s to be commemorated at Chilliwack secondary

New award recognizes trailblazing woman who devoted her life to science
17119475_web1_copy_MaudMentenportrait

Chilliwack graduates going on to study the sciences have a hometown connection to one of the formulas they’ll learn in university.

And now, they’ll know it. Pioneering scientist Maud Menten, who graduated from Chilliwack secondary school, is being commemorated this week by way of a new achievement award for a student there.

The student’s name will be announced at this year’s award ceremony, being held Wednesday night (June 5). They’ll have big shoes to fill.

As a young student, Menten took the ferry across the Fraser River every day, from her home in Harrison Mills to Chilliwack and back again. She graduated from CSS in 1897, and went on to make breakthroughs in biological sciences.

She is the second half of the Michaelis-Menten equation, a key building block in understanding enzyme kinetics. Menten was a trailblazer for women, being one of the first few female physicians in Canada, and the first woman to receive a Medical Doctorate from the University of Toronto in 1911.

READ MORE: Kilby summer student intrigued by story of historic scientist

She held three PhD’s in Medicine, Physiology and Biochemistry respectively, taught at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, wrote or co-wrote about 100 research papers, and was a primary author of a study on radiobromide and cancer while at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research. Menten studied hormones, scarlet fever, all while learning multiple languages.

A science student researching the Kilby Historic Site two years ago made the connection between Menten and Harrison Mills, and created a display to honour her at the site.

Her nephew, Lloyd Menten, along with his sister Susan and wife Heather, will be in the audience when the award is presented for the first time.

It will recognize a student whose achievements span a number of areas including academic studies, sports, cultural, community work, conduct and leadership. Winners of this award are characterized by their commitment to doing their best in all their pursuits, setting outstanding examples and assisting their peers and others.

Just as Maud Menten did herself.


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jpeters@theprogress.com

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17119475_web1_maudmenten
The Michaelis-Menten formula.


Jessica Peters

About the Author: Jessica Peters

I began my career in 1999, covering communities across the Fraser Valley ever since.
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