Agnes J. Quirk

Agnes J. Quirk (1884-1974) was an American bacteriologist, plant pathologist, and inventor.[1] She oversaw the culturing of bacteria in the Laboratory of Plant Pathology at the United States Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Plant Industry.[2] She received a patent[3] for the production of penicillin mold and jelly in 1952.[4]

Agnes J. Quirk
Quirk in 1932
Born1884
Died1974
Occupationbacteriologist, plant pathologist, inventor

Life and career

Hired by Erwin Frink Smith, pathologist-in-charge of the Laboratory of Plant Pathology, USDA's Bureau of Plant Industry, Quirk became Smith's assistant in 1901.[5][6] Quirk's research focused on crown gall oxidation phenomena and culture mediums used in pathogenic analyses, working alongside Nellie A. Brown.[5] Her original job titles at the laboratory consisted of "laboratory aide" and "scientific assistant".[7] While a lab assistant, Quirk had three of her own assistants who helped her prepare growth media.[8] She also invented a new apparatus to help measure amounts of media more accurately and without funnels.[8]

After serving as assistant in the lab, Quirk became the head of the laboratory from 1928 to 1948.[9] At the Symposium on Bacterial Dissociation and Life Cycles of the Society of American Bacteriologists, Quirk presented "A Five-fold Technic for Producing the Filterable Form of Bacillus phytophthorus," showcasing her skills in bacteriology.[10] As a bacteriologist with experience, Quirk would share out different culturing techniques, like a formula for potato agar and a novel growth medium.[11]

Selected publications
  • Quirk, A.J. & Fawcett, E. H. (1923). Hydrogen-ion concentration vs. titratable acidity in culture mediums.[7]
  • Quirk, A.J. & Smith, E.F. (1926). A Begonia Immune to Crowngall: With Observations on other Immune or Semi-Immune Plants[12]
  • Quirk, A.J. (1931). Pure Smooth and Rough Colony Types at Will: Science Vol. 74 Friday, November 6, 1931, No. 1923
  • Brown, NA, & Quirk, A.J. (1929). Influence of bacteriophage on Bacterium tumefaciens, and some ...
  • Quirk, A.J. (1934). The Correlation of Animal and Plant Bacterial Behavior and Imposed Culture Aledium Environment. Journal of Bacteriology 1934 (J. Bacteriol. 1934, 27(1):22.)[7]

References
  1. Staff writer (January 24, 1932). "See Them Now". The Portsmouth Times. Portsmouth, Ohio: John Clark. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  2. Padgett, Edward R. (July 30, 1916). Women who do unusual work for Uncle Sam. Sunday Vindicator
  3. United States. Patent Office (1952). Official gazette of the United States Patent Office. The Office. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  4. Ogilvie, Marilyn Bailey; Harvey, Joy D. (2000). The biographical dictionary of women in science. 2. L - Z. Taylor & Francis, ISBN 9780415920407
  5. Geoffrey Clough Ainsworth (30 June 1981). Introduction to the history of plant pathology. Cambridge University Press. pp. 70–. ISBN 978-0-521-23032-2. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  6. Jean Beagle Ristaino (2008). Pioneering women in plant pathology. APS Press. ISBN 978-0-89054-359-7. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  7. Agnes J. Quirk (1923). Hydrogen-ion concentration vs. titratable acidity in culture mediums. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  8. "Norwich Bulletin". Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. 23 March 1916.
  9. "Science Source - Agnes J. Quirk, American Bacteriologist". www.sciencesource.com. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  10. Society of American Bacteriologists (1931). "33rd Annual Meeting". Journal of Bacteriology. 23 (1): 14–56. PMC 533301. PMID 16559534.
  11. American Scientific Congress (8th : 1940 : Washington, D.C.) (1943). Proceedings of the eighth American Scientific Congress held in Washington May 10-18, 1940, under the auspices of the government of the United States of America. Dept. of State. OCLC 37532619.
  12. Ogilvie, Marilyn; Harvey, Joy (2003-12-16). The Biographical Dictionary of Women in Science: Pioneering Lives From Ancient Times to the Mid-20th Century. Routledge. ISBN 9781135963422.


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