Percy Julian

 

Percy was a pioneering chemist; he had achieved a PH. D which gave him the opportunity to lead to his studies in chemical synthesis of drugs, some in which treated arthritis and glaucoma. in his biochemical work, he learned to extract steroids from soybean oil, that synthesizes the hormones progesterone and testosterone. He gained knowledge on how to synthesize other important medical compounds from abundant plant sources. In his discovery he also helped move the civil rights movement, becoming an advocate for African American youth encouraging them to peruse their careers and studies.