Elizabeth Lee Hazen

Elizabeth Lee Hazen is the Mississippian responsible for discovering Nystatin, an antifungal medication that revolutionized our world and has saved many lives! Her work as a scientist, team player, and pioneer has changed our world forever.

Research Scientist

Elizabeth Lee Hazen was a research scientist who studied and taught at several schools and universities around the nation. She researched medical bacteriology, biology, microbiology, and mycology. Hazen also taught physics and biology at a high school in Jackson, Mississippi!

Discussion

K-3rd Grade

  1. What is your favorite topic to study? 
  2. What would you like to teach?

4th-6th Grade

  1. What do you like to research? 
  2. What areas of science are interesting to you?

Vocabulary

K-3rd Grade

  • Research (verb): studying a topic thoroughly 
  • Scientist (noun): someone who uses the scientific method to study the world

4th-6th Grade

  • Mycology (noun): the scientific study of fungi 
  • Microbiology (noun): the scientific study of organisms that can only be viewed through a microscope 
  • Organism (noun): a living creature

Teamwork

After discovering antifungal properties of certain bacteria, Elizabeth Lee Hazen needed the help of a trained chemist, so Rachel Fuller Brown joined her team. Brown and Hazen became great partners in scientific research, working as a team to help the world.

Discussion

K-3rd Grade

  1. Who is on your team? 
  2. Who helps you?

4th-6th Grade

  • What are some different kinds of teams? 
  • How do you help others?

Vocabulary

K-3rd Grade

  • Team (noun): a group of people working together toward a common goal

4th-6th Grade

  • Bacteria (noun): small, simple single-celled organisms 
  • Chemist (noun): someone who studies chemistry

Discussion

K-3rd Grade

  1. Who believes in you? 
  2. What great things do you want to do?

4th-6th Grade

  1. Why are you proud to be from Mississippi?

Vocabulary

K-3rd Grade

  • Mississippian (adjective): someone or something that is from Mississippi 
  • Leader (noun): someone who others will follow

4th-6th Grade

  • Pioneer (noun): a person who is one of the first to develop or discover something new and prepare it for others 
  • Capable (adjective): able to do something