The biography of Jonas Salk below is based on the notes in Part A. Read the biography and click the appropriate subheading to match with each of the paragraphs.


  • Jonas Salk was a great doctor and medical researcher. He developed the first successful polio vaccine to prevent people (mostly children) from getting polio, an infectious disease which crippled many people and caused death to some.


  • In 1914, Jonas Salk was born in New York. He grew up in a poor family. His parents encouraged him to work hard in his studies. Jonas obtained a bachelor’s degree in science from the City College of New York in 1934. Then he studied medicine at New York University. He was interested in research and wanted to become a medical scientist. Jonas gained a doctorate in medicine in 1939.


  • In 1942, Jonas worked with other researchers at the University of Michigan to study flu viruses. In 1947, he became the head of the Virus Research Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh and began conducting research on polio viruses. In 1952, many children suffered badly from polio. More than 57,000 cases of polio were reported. Jonas developed a polio vaccine and conducted preliminary testing. The testing was expanded to the national level for the next two years. About 1.8 million children received the vaccine during the test phase. In 1955, the polio vaccine was safe for use. Since Jonas did not patent the vaccine, he became a national hero.

    In 1963, Jonas founded the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, in which he and other scientists studied different diseases and potential treatments. He conducted research on AIDS and HIV in the latter stages of his career. He died of heart failure in 1995.


  • Jonas’s polio vaccine was later replaced by another polio vaccine which was less expensive and easier to use.

Suggested answers

  • Introduction
  • Jonas Salk was a great doctor and medical researcher. He developed the first successful polio vaccine to prevent people (mostly children) from getting polio, an infectious disease which crippled many people and caused death to some.

  • Early life and education
  • In 1914, Jonas Salk was born in New York. He grew up in a poor family. His parents encouraged him to work hard in his studies. Jonas obtained a bachelor’s degree in science from the City College of New York in 1934. Then he studied medicine at New York University. He was interested in research and wanted to become a medical scientist. Jonas gained a doctorate in medicine in 1939.

  • Career path and achievements
  • In 1942, Jonas worked with other researchers at the University of Michigan to study flu viruses. In 1947, he became the head of the Virus Research Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh and began conducting research on polio viruses. In 1952, many children suffered badly from polio. More than 57,000 cases of polio were reported. Jonas developed a polio vaccine and conducted preliminary testing. The testing was expanded to the national level for the next two years. About 1.8 million children received the vaccine during the test phase. In 1955, the polio vaccine was safe for use. Since Jonas did not patent the vaccine, he became a national hero.

    In 1963, Jonas founded the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, in which he and other scientists studied different diseases and potential treatments. He conducted research on AIDS and HIV in the latter stages of his career. He died of heart failure in 1995.

  • Other information
  • Jonas’s polio vaccine was later replaced by another polio vaccine which was less expensive and easier to use.