Donald A. Glaser
Scientists

Donald A. Glaser Net Worth

Donald A. Glaser was a renowned American physicist and neurobiologist who was born in Cleveland, United States in 1926. He began his career as a physicist, studying elementary particles, but later changed his field of study to molecular biology and neurobiology. During his career, he worked at prestigious universities such as the University of Michigan and the University of California at Berkeley, where he was able to teach and conduct research. He was also a founding member of one of the first biotechnology companies that developed medicines for cancer treatment. In 1960, Glaser was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics for his invention of the 'Bubble Chamber'.
Donald A. Glaser is a member of Scientists

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Physicist & Molecular Biologist
Birth Day September 21, 1926
Birth Place Cleveland, United States
Age 94 YEARS OLD
Died On February 28, 2013(2013-02-28) (aged 86)\nBerkeley, California, U.S.
Birth Sign Libra
Alma mater Case School of Applied Science (Case Western Reserve University) California Institute of Technology
Known for Invention of bubble chamber Business executive
Spouse(s) Ruth Bonnie Thompson (m. 1960; 2 children) Lynn Bercovitz (m. 1975)
Awards Nobel Prize in Physics (1960) Elliott Cresson Medal (1961)
Fields Physics, Molecular biology
Institutions University of Michigan University of California at Berkeley
Doctoral advisor Carl David Anderson

💰 Net worth: $2 Million (2024)

Donald A. Glaser, renowned physicist and molecular biologist in the United States, is projected to have a net worth of $2 million by 2024. Glaser has made significant contributions in the field of science, particularly through his invention of the bubble chamber, which revolutionized the study of particle physics. This innovation earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1960. Glaser's notable work extended beyond physics, as he later ventured into molecular biology and made important discoveries in the field. With his extensive accomplishments and contributions to the scientific community, it is no surprise that Glaser has accumulated substantial wealth over the years.

Biography/Timeline

1926

Donald Glaser was born on September 21, 1926, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Russian Jewish immigrants, Lena and william J. Glaser, a businessman. He enjoyed music and played the piano, violin, and viola. He went to Cleveland Heights High School, where he became interested in physics as a means to understand the physical world. He died in his sleep at the age of 86 on February 28, 2013 in Berkeley, California.

1946

Glaser attended Case School of Applied Science (now Case Western Reserve University), where he completed his bachelor's degree in physics and mathematics in 1946. During the course of his education there, he became especially interested in particle physics. He played viola in the Cleveland Philharmonic while at Case, and taught mathematics classes at the college after graduation. He continued on to the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he pursued his Ph.D. in physics. His interest in particle physics led him to work with Nobel laureate Carl David Anderson, studying cosmic rays with cloud chambers. He preferred the accessibility of cosmic ray research over that of nuclear physics. While at Caltech he learned to design and build the equipment he needed for his experiments, and this skill would prove to be useful throughout his career. He also attended molecular genetics seminars led by Nobel laureate Max Delbrück; he would return to this field later. Glaser completed his doctoral thesis, The Momentum Distribution of Charged Cosmic Ray Particles Near Sea Level, after starting as an instructor at the University of Michigan in 1949. He received his Ph.D. from Caltech in 1950, and he was promoted to Professor at Michigan in 1957.

1959

His new invention was ideal for use with high-energy accelerators, so Glaser traveled to Brookhaven National Laboratory with some students to study elementary particles using the accelerator there. The images that he created with his bubble chamber brought recognition of the importance of his device, and he was able to get funding to continue experimenting with larger chambers. Glaser was then recruited by Nobel laureate Luis Alvarez, who was working on a hydrogen bubble chamber at the University of California at Berkeley. Glaser accepted an offer to become a Professor of Physics there in 1959.

1960

Glaser was awarded the 1960 Nobel Prize for Physics for the invention of the bubble chamber. His invention allowed Scientists to observe what happens to high-energy beams from an accelerator, thus paving the way for many important discoveries.

1962

Starting in 1962, Glaser changed his field of research to molecular biology, starting with a project on ultraviolet-induced cancer. In 1964, he was given the additional title of Professor of Molecular Biology. Glaser's position (since 1989) was Professor of Physics and Neurobiology in the Graduate School.

1968

While continuing to work at UC Berkeley, Glaser started Berkeley Scientific Laboratory with Bill Wattenberg in 1968. The short-lived partnership worked on automating diagnostic procedures.

1971

In 1971 he founded Cetus Corporation with Moshe Alafi, Ron Cape, and Peter Farley. Glaser's position was Chairman of the Science Advisory Board. The founders felt that the knowledge Scientists had gained about DNA had not yet been applied to solve real problems. The company did microbial strain improvement, and then genetic engineering, becoming the first biotechnology company. Cetus was purchased by Chiron Corporation in 1991.

2006

It has often been claimed that Glaser was inspired to his invention by the bubbles in a glass of beer; however, in a 2006 talk, he refuted this story, saying that although beer was not the inspiration for the bubble chamber, he did experiments using beer to fill early prototypes.

Some Donald A. Glaser images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.