Werner Randolph Loewenstein

Background

Werner Randolph Loewenstein was born on February 14, 1926, in Spangenberg, Germany. He was the son of Siegfried and Adele (Muller) von Loewenstein.

In 1957, Werner came to the United States, and naturalized in 1965.

Education

In 1945, Loewenstein received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Chile, and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1950.

Career

From 1951 to 1953, Loewenstein worked as an instructor in physiology at the University of Chile in Santiago, then, he was a fellow-in-residence at Wilnier Institute from 1953 to 1954. From 1954 to 1955, Werner was a research zoologist at the University of California in Los Angeles, and then, he became an associate professor of physiology at the University of Chile, where he held the position from 1955 to 1957.

From 1957 to 1959, Loewenstein was assistant professor of physiology at College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University in New York City, then he was associate professor from 1959 to 1966, after that he held the position of professor from 1966 to 1971, and then, he was director of cell physics lab from 1963 to 71. In 1960, he also was Block Lecturer at the University of Chicago. At Royal Swedish Academy of Science Werner was lecturer in 1966.

Werner also was professor of physiology and biophysics and chairperson of the department at School of Medicine, University of Miami in Florida from 1971 to 1995. Then, in 1995, he became professor and chairperson emeritus. At the same time, Loewenstein became director of Cell Communications Laboratory at Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

Achievements

• Werner Randolph Loewenstein is most commonly known as the author of The Touchstone of Life: Molecular Information, Cell Communication, and the Foundations of Life, a poetic and encyclopedic book. In his book, intended for the technically oriented general reader and the scientist alike, Loewenstein blends information theory with chemistry and physics to explain the role information transfer has played in the evolution of life over the past four million years. He defines information as simply a measure of how orderly a system is signals, coded information processed by neurological welfare.
  
  Loewenstein was also a contributor of about two hundred articles to scientific journals.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Physics in Mind: A Quantum View of the Brain

    (No one can escape a sense of awe when reflecting on the w...)

    2013
  • The Touchstone of Life: Molecular Information, Cell Communication, and the Foundations of Life

    (No one can escape a sense of wonder when looking at an or...)

    1999
  • Principles of Receptor Physiology 1971

Membership

Loewenstein was a member of the American Physiological Society, Biophysical Society, Society of Neuroscience, Society of General Physiologists as well as of the Harvey Society, New York Academy of Sciences, Quisset Yacht Club, Coconut Grove Sailing Club.

Connections

On October 7, 1971, Loewenstein married Birgit Rose. They had four children: Claudia, Patricia, Harriett and Stewart.

Father:

Siegfried Loewenstein

Mother:

Adele (Muller) Loewenstein

Spouse:

Birgit Rose

child:

Harriett Loewenstein

child:

Stewart Loewenstein

child:

Claudia Loewenstein

child:

Patricia Loewenstein