Pitt Alumnus, MRI inventor Lauterbur dies

Renowned chemist Paul C. Lauterbur made profound contributions to the medical world. A proud… Renowned chemist Paul C. Lauterbur made profound contributions to the medical world. A proud Pitt alumnus, Lauterbur, a 77-year-old Nobel Laureate, died on March 27. However, his effects on treating patients will keep his memory alive for generations.

Lauterbur invented magnetic resonance imaging, and he also shared the coveted Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2003 with the co-developer of the MRI, Sir Peter Mansfield.

While Lauterbur was working towards his doctorate in chemistry at Pitt in 1962, he began to formulate ideas and drawings for his later epic invention of the MRI.

The MRI’s main purpose is to take images of the inside of an object with the use of a magnet. Today, hospitals all over the world have numerous MRIs in their facilities.

In a 2004 commencement address at Pitt, Lauterbur received the Honorary Doctor of Science degree in addition to being an influential keynote speaker.

“If there could only be a way to find out these properties of organs and tissues in a noninvasive fashion without cutting up people or animals,” Lauterbur said at the commencement ceremony about his inspiration for the MRI.

Lauterbur recognized that everything in his life helped account for his invention that would later be able to detect internal problems without surgery. One case in particular was being drafted into the U.S. Army.

“One thing led to another, I spent maybe a year at that sort of operation and out of it got, eventually, four scientific papers, which is more than you usually get out of service in the Army,” Lauterbur said at the 2003 Pitt commencement ceremony.

A former resident of North Dithridge Street, Lauterbur looked upon his life as one of rewarding hardships. Even though at times obstacles stood in his way, he believed that each one ultimately contributed to his success as a scientist.

“Even when the sound system fails, you just keep on going,” Lauterbur said.