R. Bruce Merrifield ’43, Ph.D. ’49

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R. Bruce Merrifield, a biochemistry professor at Rockefeller University in New York City, is internationally renowned as one of the foremost chemical innovators of our time. In 1984, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences selected Merrifield to receive the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in recognition of his advancement of “methodology for chemical synthesis on a solid matrix.”

Affectionately crediting his alma mater with inspiring his work, Merrifield avows, “I received all my training in chemistry and biochemistry at UCLA.” His dissatisfaction with conventional and tedious laboratory methods led him to create an automated protein synthesizing machine; his colleagues heralded this as the “Merrifield Breakthrough,” for they could now assemble biological molecules in mere weeks, rather than years.

Merrifield’s most significant accomplishment is one of immense magnitude: the first complete laboratory synthesis of ribonuclease, a naturally occurring enzyme and a protein essential to life. This creation holds great promise for the healing arts, as man-made enzymes could be specifically fashioned into powerful pharmaceutical agents to combat human disease. His principle of solid phase synthesis has been recently adapted to the preparation of synthetic genes.

Receiving his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from UCLA, Merrifield earned the University’s first Ph.D. in biochemistry. He holds dear the tutelage of UCLA professor named Max Dunn, a pioneer in the field of protein chemistry. Included among Merrifield’s numerous awards and honors are the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Biomedical Research and honorary doctorate degrees from the University of Colorado, Uppsala University, Yale University, Colgate University and Boston College. In 1974, he received the Alumni Association’s Professional Achievement Award. He has served on the faculty of Rockefeller University since 1957.

Merrifield exemplifies the highest attainable virtues of a UCLA alumnus: world-acclaimed achievement in a chosen lifetime pursuit; ingenious tenacity in developing a rich and detailed body of work; and a stabilizing sense of modesty and gentle humor. In total accord, we applaud a sentiment expressed by a distinguished colleague: “Dr. Merrifield is one of the finest persons I have ever known; he is like and admired by everyone at UCLA.”