Kurt Benirschke was a German-American pathologist, geneticist and expert on the placenta and reproduction in humans and myriad mammalian species.
14 Facts About Kurt Benirschke
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In 1970, Kurt Benirschke moved west to participate in the development of a new medical school of the University of California, San Diego.
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Kurt Benirschke established a genetics laboratory and ran the autopsy service at UCSD.
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Kurt Benirschke chaired the department of pathology for two years.
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In 1976, Kurt Benirschke persuaded the Board of Trustees of the San Diego Zoo to establish a formal research department.
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Kurt Benirschke led this new research department, which was named the Center for the Reproduction of Endangered Species, until 1987 when he became a member of the Zoo's Board of Trustees.
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Kurt Benirschke set up a laboratory at the Zoo to study the chromosomes of mammals, particularly aspects relating to reproduction and evolution.
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Rolf Benirschke 8.
Kurt Benirschke established at the Zoo a collection of frozen cells and reproductive material from dozens of highly endangered species that became famous as the first "Frozen Zoo".
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Kurt Benirschke was a member of many societies and authored 30 books and 510 scientific publications.
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Kurt Benirschke was described as a "visionary" and a "Renaissance physician".
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Kurt Benirschke met his wife Marion, a nurse, during his internship.
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One son, Dr Stephen Kurt Benirschke, lives in Seattle and is a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon best known for his specialty with the calcaneus fracture surgery.
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Kurt Benirschke's other son, Rolf Benirschke, is a retired placekicker for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League.
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Kurt Benirschke's daughter Ingrid Benirschke-Perkins is the community relations director for CARTA.