Stanford Moore, Ph.D.

A profile photo of Stanford Moore

Dr. Stanford Moore was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1913 and went on to attend and graduate from Nashville’s Peabody Demonstration School, now the University School of Nashville, and Vanderbilt University, where he earned summa cum laude honors and was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma. He received his doctorate in organic chemistry in 1938 from the University of Wisconsin, Madison before going on to become an accomplished scientist and professor. During his successful career, Dr. Moore developed many significant scientific breakthroughs that changed the way the world conducted research.

In 1949, he published the first method for the complete analysis of the amino acid composition of a protein, redesigned an automated amino acid sequencing system for ribonuclease and contributed to the growing understanding of how protein functions on a structural and chemical basis. This work ultimately resulted in his 1972 receipt of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in Stockholm and changed the eld of genetic medicine throughout the world. Dr. Moore spent the majority of his career as a biochemist and professor at the Rockefeller Institute (later Rockefeller University) in New York. Dr. Moore also served his country in World War II, the only time he was away from Rockefeller Institute.

He was the recipient of the Founder’s Medal at Vanderbilt University and was chosen by the University School as the institution’s first Distinguished Alumnus. Dr. Moore is also the namesake of Vanderbilt’s recently completed residential college, Moore College.

A decorated scientist, life-long educator and dedicated academic, Dr. Stanford Moore is a 2017 inductee of the Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame.

A photo of young Stanford Moore
Stanford Moore looking at results with a colleague in a laboratory