- BS Chemistry 1952
Lina T. Taskovich earned a BS in Chemistry from Michigan Tech and an MS from the University of Minnesota. She is a retired research scientist from ALZA Corporation in Palo Alto, California.
A native of Ecuador, Taskovich distinguished herself from the outset of her career, when she set up the University of Minnesota's first amino acid analyzer. She went on to prominence in the study of biological systems.
Beginning in 1957, she worked at Stanford University's Physics Department, then the Biophysics Laboratory. She made significant contributions to cancer research in the Department of Dermatology of the Stanford Medical School.
In 1971, Taskovich joined ALZA Corporation, as a senior biochemist, where her significant contributions to the understanding of drug permeation through human skin led to several patents. She is the co-inventor of six US drug patents and the sole inventor of one. She was featured in Pfizer, Inc., advertisements in Newsweek and People magazines in 1994.
Throughout her career, Taskovich remained grateful to her parents for encouraging her to pursue an education in the scientific field when it was not considered appropriate for a woman.
Taskovich is a strong supporter of Michigan Tech, in particular the Department of Chemistry.
In retirement, she remains involved in community service and church work, in particular the St. Vincent DePaul Society in Palo Alto and the Catholic Church in her native Ecuador.
In 2003, Taskovich was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Excerpted from the 2003 Alumni Reunion Awards Program
A native of Ecuador, Taskovich distinguished herself from the outset of her career, when she set up the University of Minnesota's first amino acid analyzer. She went on to prominence in the study of biological systems.
Beginning in 1957, she worked at Stanford University's Physics Department, then the Biophysics Laboratory. She made significant contributions to cancer research in the Department of Dermatology of the Stanford Medical School.
In 1971, Taskovich joined ALZA Corporation, as a senior biochemist, where her significant contributions to the understanding of drug permeation through human skin led to several patents. She is the co-inventor of six US drug patents and the sole inventor of one. She was featured in Pfizer, Inc., advertisements in Newsweek and People magazines in 1994.
Throughout her career, Taskovich remained grateful to her parents for encouraging her to pursue an education in the scientific field when it was not considered appropriate for a woman.
Taskovich is a strong supporter of Michigan Tech, in particular the Department of Chemistry.
In retirement, she remains involved in community service and church work, in particular the St. Vincent DePaul Society in Palo Alto and the Catholic Church in her native Ecuador.
In 2003, Taskovich was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Excerpted from the 2003 Alumni Reunion Awards Program