Dr. Mojsov’s long-standing interests are in understanding how peptides and small proteins regulate physiological processes in healthy and disease states. She applied her expertise in the chemical synthesis of peptides in numerous lines of research, including studies which led to her discovery of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), an incretin hormone produced by gut tissue that plays a key role in insulin secretion and glucose metabolism.

Dr. Mojsov’s work was later used to develop a new class of therapeutic medicines for treatment of Type 2 diabetes that are marketed under the trade names Victoza, Ozempic and Rybelsus.

Helen Dean King, Ph.D., was a geneticist and one of a small handful of women scientists working in the largely male-dominated field of science at the turn of the 20th century. She was Wistar’s first female scientist, employed from 1909 until her retirement in 1950. At the time, she was the only woman in America to be hired as a full professor in research. Dr. King published more than 80 research papers and belonged to many scientific societies. In 1932, Dr. King was awarded the Ellen Richards Research Prize, once known as the “Women’s Nobel.” This annual award recognizes female scientists who are leaders in their field.