1994 INDUCTEE James Collip, MD PhD Hormones, Diabetes, Leadership in Organizational Development

Born:

November 20, 1892

(Belleville, Ontario)

Died:

June 19, 1965

Education:

PhD, University of Toronto (1916)
MD, University of Alberta (1926)

Awards & Honours:

1964: Honorary DSc, University of Western Ontario

1960: Banting Medal, American Diabetes Association

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Picture of James Collip, MD PhD

Purified insulin for clinical use and isolated numerous hormones in the human body

Portrait of James Collip

A pioneering researcher and builder of Canadian medical institutions

One of the greatest minds of Canadian medicine, Dr. James Bertram Collip is regarded as a pioneer in endocrine research. As an astute biochemist, Dr. Collip had a long and distinguished career marked by numerous discoveries and breakthroughs in biochemistry and endocrinology. Famously, his skills in biochemistry were invaluable to Banting Best’s research; Collip was able to refine and purify insulin to a form which permitted clinical use. This contribution allowed insulin to be mass-produced, making it quickly available to the general public, saving millions of lives.

Key Facts

By the age of 27, Collip had published 24 scientific articles

Isolated ovarian hormones, gonadotrophic hormones from pituitary, and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)

J.R.R. Macleod shared his Nobel Prize money with Collip to acknowledge his significant contribution to the discovery of insulin

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

Dr. Collip’s contributions to endocrinology include the isolation and discovery of several important hormones in the human body, along with creating leading research institutes in four prominent medical schools within Canada. This legacy of scientific excellence and building of research capacity in Canada continues to influence medical and basic science knowledge. Moreover, his contributions to the discovery of insulin still save lives around the world.

Picture of James Collip, MD PhD

1994

  • Ticket to 1994 Induction Ceremony

    James Bertram Collip posthumously inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

    London, Ontario

  • Western University logo

    Dr. Collip finished his brilliant career with a 14-year tenure as the Dean of Medicine at the University of Western Ontario

    Leadership in Organizational Development, Health and Medical Education & Training

    He shaped the medical school into an internationally renowned centre of medical education.

  • Following Dr. Banting’s untimely death in 1941, Dr. Collip acted as chair of the Medical Research Council of Canada

    Leadership in Organizational Development

    During the Second World War, he became a leader in Canadian wartime medical research.

  • McGill logo

    Collip established and became Chair of McGill University’s new Institute of Endocrinology

    Leadership in Organizational Development, Hormones

    At the Institute, he established a prestigious reputation for its research endeavours. Here, Collip continued his research on hormones, combining his skills in biochemistry with endocrinology.

  • Passing over an invitation from the Mayo Clinic, Collip instead joined McGill University as the head of their new Department of Biochemistry

    Hormones, Leadership in Organizational Development

    During his tenure at McGill, his research on pituitary hormones was successful in isolating ACTH, a stress hormone which can be a factor in Addison’s Disease.

  • Dr. James Collip succeeded in isolating the parathyroid hormone (PTH)

    Hormones

    This work established an endocrine function of the parathyroid glands.

  • Macleod and Banting were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize

    Macleod shared his monetary prize with Dr. Collip, to acknowledge his significant contribution.

  • logo

    Following his early success, Collip returned to the University of Alberta where he accepted a position as head of the Department of Biochemistry

    Leadership in Organizational Development

    His research focus was isolating the parathyroid glands’ peptide that maintained normal blood calcium levels in the body.

  • While on sabbatical, James Collip was invited by Dr. J.J.R. Macleod to work with Drs. Banting and Best

    Diabetes

    Collip was able to refine and purify insulin to a form which permitted clinical use.

  • Enrolled at Trinity College at only 15 years old, Collip was one of the youngest students

    By the age of 24, he had completed a doctorate degree in biochemistry and was working as a lecturer at the University of Alberta.

1907

He was one of the great minds of Canadian medicine.