Earl W. Sutherland Jr., MD (1915-1974)

Dr. Sutherland is most widely recognized for winning a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1971 for “his discoveries concerning the mechanisms of the action of hormones,” especially epinephrine via second messengers, namely cyclic AMP.

Dr. Sutherland joined the faculty of Vanderbilt University in 1963 when he was named a professor of Anatomy for the School of Medicine.

A biochemist, Sutherland’s career in medicine was varied. He was an U.S. Army physician in World War II, serving as a battalion surgeon under Gen. George S. Patton. He went on to hold distinguished positions in academia throughout the remainder of his career.

In addition to the Nobel Prize, Dr. Sutherland was the recipient of other notable awards for his contributions to medicine including the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research and the National Medal of Science.