Background
Purcell, Robert Harry was born on December 19, 1935 in Keokuk, Iowa, United States. Son of Edward Harold and Elsie Thelma (Melzl) Purcell.
Purcell, Robert Harry was born on December 19, 1935 in Keokuk, Iowa, United States. Son of Edward Harold and Elsie Thelma (Melzl) Purcell.
Bachelor in Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, 1957. Master of Science Biochemistry, Baylor University, 1960. Doctor of Medicine, Duke University, 1962.
Intern in pediatrics, Duke U. Hospital, Durham, North Carolina, 1962-1963;
officer, United States Public Health Service, 1963;
advanced through grades to medical director (O-6), United States Public Health Service, 1974;
with Epidemic Intelligence Svc., Communicable Disease Center, Atlanta
assigned to vaccine branch, National Institute Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland., 1963-1965;
senior surgeon, Laboratory Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland., 1965-1969;
medical officer, Laboratory Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland., 1969-1972;
medical director, Laboratory Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland., 1972-1974;
head hepatitis viruses section, Laboratory Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland., since 1974. Organizer, invited participant, speaker numerous national and international symposia, conferences, workshops, meetings. Temporary advisor World Health Organization, since 1967.
Expert consultant in hepatitis United States-China, United States-Taiwan, United States-Japan, United States-Russia, United States-India, United States-Pakistan Bilateral Science Agreements. Lecturer various virology classes.
Fellow American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington Academy of Sciences, American Academy Microbiology, Molecular Medicine Society, Indiana National Science Academy. Member American Epidemiology Society, American Society Microbiology, American Society Virology, Society Epidemiological Research, Infectious Diseases Society of America (Squibb award 1980), New York Academy of Sciences, American Society Clinical Investigation, Association American Physicians, American College Epidemiology, American Association Study of Liver Diseases (Distinguished Achievement award 2000), International Association Study and Prevention Virus Associated Cancers, International Association Biological Standardization, International Association Study Liver, Society Experimental Biology and Medicine (Distinguished Scientist award 1986), National Academy of Sciences (Washington chapter 1988).
Married Carol Joan Moody, June 11, 1961. Children: David Edward, John Leslie.