Yvonne Barr


Yvonne Barr was a virologist who co-discovered the Epstein–Barr virus in 1964.

Early life and education

She graduated with honours in zoology from Trinity College, Dublin.

Career

Barr, along with her research supervisor, Michael Anthony Epstein, discovered the Epstein–Barr virus during her PhD studies in 1964, whilst at Middlesex Hospital. She joined the team at the Bland-Sutton Institute of Pathology in 1963. Barr graduated from the University of London in 1966 with a Ph.D. She then moved to Melbourne, Australia to continue her career and begin a family.
Prior to determining specifics about EBV, Epstein, Barr, and Achong, published their preliminary research in The Lancet. Barr was instrumental in the discovery of the Epstein-Barr virus, also called human herpesvirus 4, by preparing the samples used for experimentation.

Personal life

Upon moving to Melbourne, she met and married Stuart Balding and had two children. Barr died in Melbourne, Australia at the age of 83.