02/08/2022
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Dr. Hildrus Augustus "Gus" Poindexter was an American bacteriologist who studied the epidemiology of tropical diseases. Poindexter was the son of tenant farmers in rural Tennessee. His father had been enslaved. He attended Lincoln University, PA, graduating in 1924
In 1962, Poindexter became the first Black scientist to become board-certified in microbiology by the American Society for Microbiology, passing the American Board of Medical Microbiology certification as only the 141th person to do so.[9]
Poindexter published his autobiography, My World Of Reality, in 1973 in which he candidly discusses his various life experiences including dealings with racial prejudice. One example is the offer of membership by the American Society of Parasitologists, withdrawn when the society learned that Poindexter was Black.
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