18 Facts About Neena Schwartz

Neena Betty Schwartz was an American endocrinologist and William Deering Professor of Endocrinology Emerita in the Department of Neurobiology at Northwestern University.

Neena Schwartz was best known for her work on female reproductive biology and the regulation of hormonal signaling pathways, particularly for the discovery of the signaling hormone inhibin.

Neena Schwartz co-founded the Women in Endocrinology group under the auspices of the Endocrine Society, served terms as the president of the Endocrine Society and the Society for the Study of Reproduction, and was recognized for her exceptional mentorship of women scientists.

Neena Schwartz received her bachelor's degree from Goucher College in 1948.

In 1954 Neena Schwartz was hired as a physiology instructor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, which she left a year later to take a position at Michael Reese Hospital.

Neena Schwartz moved to her alma mater Northwestern University in 1973, becoming the chair of the biology department of the medical school a year later and serving for four years.

In 1974, Neena Schwartz organized the founding of the Program for Reproductive Research at Northwestern, which would evolve into the Center for Reproductive Science in 1987 with Neena Schwartz as its director.

Neena Schwartz was among the very few women who served in the 1960s on American Physiological Society program committees, was the first woman president of the Society for the Study of Reproduction from 1977 to 1978, and was the second woman president of the Endocrine Society from 1982 to 1983.

Neena Schwartz received the Williams Distinguished Service Award from the Endocrine Society in 1985 and the Carl Hartman Research Award from the Society for the Study of Reproduction in 1992.

Neena Schwartz was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1986 and of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1992.

Neena Schwartz served on the board of the American Association for the Advancement of Science from 2000 to 2002 and received their Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2002.

Neena Schwartz has received the following honors: Northwestern Alumni Excellence in Teaching Award, Women in Endocrinology Mentor of the Year Award, Distinguished Educator Award from the endocrine Society, Northwestern School of Medicine alumni Merit Award, and Pioneer in Reproductive Research Award.

Neena Schwartz served as founding co-president of AWIS along with Judith Pool, taking a primarily executive role while Pool worked in fundraising.

The lawsuit was dropped after Robert Marston, then head of the NIH, met with representatives of the groups, including Neena Schwartz, and committed to appointing more women.

Neena Schwartz later served as the group's president from 1990 to 1992.

Neena Schwartz was one of forty women in non-traditional professions interviewed by filmmaker and artist Michelle Citron for her 1983 film What You Take for Granted.

Neena Schwartz wrote her 2010 memoir, A Lab of My Own.

Neena Schwartz lived in Evanston Illinois with her life partner of over 20 years Harriet Wadeson.