Alex B. Novikoff, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Alex B. Novikoff

biochemist, cytologist

Date of Birth: 28-Feb-1913

Place of Birth: Semenivka, Poltava Oblast, Ukraine

Date of Death: 09-Jan-1987

Profession: biochemist

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Alex Benjamin Novikoff (28 February 1913 – 9 January 1987) was an American biologist (born in Russian Empire) who is recognized for his pioneering works in the discoveries of cell organelles.
His greatest achievements were in developing histochemical techniques for studying the structure and functions of cells and their organelles.
He is also recognized as a public figure of the mid-20th century at the height of McCarthyism in America.
He was accused of his participitation in Communist Party as disloyalty to the nation.
He was dismissed in 1953 from the University of Vermont College of Medicine where he was serving as a tenured professor, upon his refusal to cooperate in disclosing his communist friends.
He was even denied twice of his willingness to serve in the US Army during the Second World War.
Due to lack of substantial evidence, the case itself was dismissed after twenty years.
The incident has become popularly known as the "Novikoff Affair", and is the most notable case of MaCarthyism in Vermont.
In 1983, after thirty years of his banishment, the university made an apology by presenting him an honorary degree.
He is regarded as one of the overlooked scientists to get Nobel Prize.