Today would have been the 94th birthday for Japanese scientist Michiaki Takahashi, who developed the varicella vaccine.
Takahashi, who passed away in 2013 is also known for his scientific research on measles and polio vaccines.
Today Google is changing its logo in 13 countries to an illustration or doodle in the doctor’s honor.
Life and Education
Takahashi was born in Osaka, Japan in 1928. He earned a medical degree in 1954 from Osaka University.
In a few years after graduation, he became an assistant professor at the Research Institute for Microbial Disease of Osaka University. At the university, Dr. Yoshiomi Okuno managed the laboratory and played a significant role in researching and developing vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella.
In the research institute, his primary areas of studies were measles and polio. In 1963, he received a research fellowship at Baylor College, and moved with his wife and two children to the United States.
In 1964, his 3-year-old son developed varicella, which he contacted from one of his neighbors in Houston.
Takahashi discovered a “blister-like rash” on the top of the neighbor’s head. He researched and documented the symptoms and committed to finding a treatment. His son had severe symptoms, with vesicles in many places and a high fever.
“His symptoms progressed quickly and severely. His temperature shot up, and he began having trouble breathing,” Takahashi explained in an interview. “All my wife and I could do was watch him day and night,” he continued.
His son made a full recovery. Takahashi was learning new things along the way. “I realized then that I should use my knowledge of viruses to develop a chickenpox vaccine,” he shared with the Financial Times. His son’s illness became an inspiration for his research and development efforts.
