McElroy, William David, 1917-

American biochemist and administrator.

Biography

William "Bill" McElroy was born in Rogers, Texas, in 1917. He received a bachelor's degree from Stanford University in 1939, where he played football from 1938-1939. He obtained a master's degree from Reed College in Oregon in 1941 and a doctorate from Princeton University in 1943 both in biology, but it was at Princeton where McElroy first investigated bioluminescence under the mentorship of E. Newton Harvey. McElroy received 12 honorary degrees including those from University of Notre Dame, Johns Hopkins University, the University of San Diego, and the University of Bologna in Italy.

McElroy served two years with U.S. Office of Scientific Research and Development after Princeton before joining the faculty of Johns Hopkins University in 1946 and shortly after was the director of the McCollum-Pratt Institute for twenty years and chairman of the department of biology from 1956 until 1969. His studies of bioluminescence by elucidating the mechanisms of living organisms into producing light were his most significant contributions to biochemical research at Johns Hopkins. His position at the Institute enabled him to build a solid foundation of teachers and researchers, and to achieve worldwide recognition in the scientific field.

His concern for an enlightened public understanding of science was also exemplified later when he was appointed the director of the National Science Foundation in 1969.

While at the NSF, McElroy worked to achieve more federal support for scientific research, while responding to societal needs. He also worked to cultivate the collaborative efforts between academic and industrial research initiatives.

In 1972, McElroy resigned as NSF Director to become chancellor at UCSD.

Although his research and training were scientifically based, McElroy encouraged expansion of the arts, humanitites and social sciences at UCSD. He established the Board of Overseers, a group of San Diego advisors, and greatly increased the University's outreach to the San Diego community. He also enhanced UCSD's research budget, oversaw the construction of the Gildred Cancer Center and Mandeville Auditorium, and guided the establishment of Earl Warren College. From 1975-1976, McElroy served as president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, succeeding anthropologist Margaret Mead. He also served as a consultant to the Atomic Energy Commission and as a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

McElroy resigned as chancellor in 1980 to return to research, writing, and teaching biology. For the next seven years, McElroy along with his wife, biochemist Marlene DeLuca, continued research on bioluminescence by identifying the enyzme luciferase in fireflies. The subsequent research resulted in 200 original scientific articles and numerous books and the creation of luminescent bacteria using gene research. Marlene DeLuca passed away in 1987.

Even today, McElroy's and DeLuca's research has led to new medical diagnostics and supplemented AIDS research. His leadership at UCSD also led the university through a critical time of growth and expansion. William McElroy died on February 17, 1999.