J. Roger Porter


J. Roger Porter was an internationally known microbiologist. Porter married Majorie Ann Perkins in 1934. He was the father of four children.

Life and work

Porter graduated from Iowa State University, with B.S. and M.S. degrees in Bacteriology in 1933 and 1935. He obtained his Ph.D. in Bacteriology and Chemistry from Yale University in 1938. His career on the University of Iowa's Department of Microbiology faculty spanned the period 1938 through 1977. He was Department Head from 1949 through his retirement in 1977, when he became an Emeritus Professor. He served on 19 standing committees within the university.
He authored an important text and reference book entitled, Bacterial Chemistry and Physiology, which was published in 1946 by John Wiley and Sons. He served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Bacteriology from 1951 through 1961. He was Chairman of the Conference of Biological Editors Committee on Form and Style from 1958 through 1964, which published the widely used Style Manual for Biological Journals. He published 47 articles in recognized scientific journals.
Porter served in leadership positions on numerous professional and governmental committees. Following is a selection of service:
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