 Alumni
Interviews:
Marion "Dave" Francis, Ph.D.
" I considered Iowa City my hometown for at
least three straight years," he said. "I’m very
honored to be receiving this award and very pleased. It is nice
to go back.""
When Marion "Dave" Francis, Ph.D., arrived in Iowa in
1949, he had a research assistantship waiting and $7.42 in his
pocket. When he arrives again in June — his first time back
in more than 50 years — he will receive the UI Carver College
of Medicine’s Distinguished Alumni Award for Achievement.
The award recognizes his more than 40 years of innovative research
at Procter & Gamble, where he made discoveries that benefit
millions of people today.
Francis began his education at the University of British Columbia,
earning a bachelor’s degree in physics and chemistry with
a minor in mathematics, and a master’s degree in analytical
chemistry with a minor in physics. Graduate school at the UI led
Francis in a new direction — biophysical chemistry. He began
his career at Procter & Gamble a year before earning his UI
doctorate, joining the company in 1952.
" I was doing research at the Iowa radiation research laboratories
when a section head from Procter & Gamble came to the labs
and wanted a tour," Francis said. "My boss asked me to
shepherd this guy around. At the time I was a little upset because
I was spending 12 hours a day doing research. Some time later,
I got a phone call asking if I would interview at P&G."
Francis accepted a position in Cincinnati, Ohio, and spent his
entire professional career with the company, where he earned more
than 35 patents on his work.
" I used to feel guilty that I was having so much fun in
my lab work and getting paid for it," he said.
Francis began working in dental research. His basic research
played a role in the widespread adoption of fluoride therapies
that resulted in a 70 to 80 percent reduction in the incidence
of dental caries among children from 1967 to 1988. His further
work provided the foundation for improving Crest toothpaste, more
than doubling its cavity-fighting effectiveness and improving tartar
control.
Subsequently, many countries around the world adopted fluoride
therapies to improve dental health.
" It had a significant health effect," Francis said.
Francis wondered whether similar approaches could be used to
strengthen bones. He and his colleagues developed a new class of
compounds called disphosphonates (or bisphosphonates) that led
to several drugs, including Didronel, used to treat Paget’s
disease; Actonel for osteoporosis in post-menopausal women; and
Osteonscan, used by radiologists to detect bone cancer.
In addition to his numerous patents, Francis was honored in 1994
with the American Chemical Society Award in Industrial Chemistry,
in 1996 with the Perkin Medal of the American Section of the Society
of Chemical Industry, and in 2000 as a "Hero of Chemistry" by
the American Chemical Society.
Since retiring in 1993, Francis has kept busy consulting, traveling,
and playing tennis, squash and golf. He looked forward to visiting
Iowa again for the first time since receiving his PhD.
" I considered Iowa City my hometown for at least three
straight years," he said. "I’m very honored to
be receiving this award and very pleased. It is nice to go back."
For more information:
 Support our Faculty, Staff, and Students
|
view
read
alumni interviews
view
photo albums
Back
to Alumni Interviews Page