Hyde, Ida Henrietta (1857-1945), an American physiologist, made several important contributions to the field at a time when women scientists faced widespread discrimination and had few opportunities. Physiology is the scientific study of how living things function.
Hyde was born to Jewish German immigrants in Davenport, Iowa, on Sept. 8, 1857. She spent most of her childhood in Chicago, Illinois. Her education was delayed by financial difficulties, but she eventually graduated from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, in 1891. In 1893, Hyde was awarded a fellowship (grant) to travel to Europe to continue her studies. She became the first woman to obtain a doctorate degree from the University of Heidelberg , in Germany, earning a degree in physiology in 1896. Hyde earned the degree despite not being allowed to attend many lectures and laboratory sessions because she was female. In 1898, she took a position at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. By 1905, she was promoted to professor and appointed head of the newly created department of physiology.
Hyde is known for her studies of the nervous systems of both vertebrates and invertebrates—that is, animals with backbones and animals without backbones. She observed the effects of different chemicals—including alcohol, caffeine, and opioid drugs—on the nervous systems of animals, including humans. To accomplish this work, Hyde developed the first microelectrode. This device is an extremely fine electrode (conductor of electric current) used to detect tiny electrical impulses given off by nerve cells and muscle fibers. Microelectrodes have become valuable tools for biomedical research. Hyde also worked to promote public health and hygiene.
Hyde retired in 1920 but remained active for many years promoting women’s involvement in the sciences. Among her many accomplishments, Hyde was the first woman admitted to the American Physiological Society in 1902. She promoted or established several scholarships and associations that provided funds for women who wished to study and pursue a career in science. She died on Aug. 22, 1945.
