Shreffler, Donald C., Vertical File

Donald C. Shreffler was an immunogeneticist, conducting pioneering studies into the structure and function of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Sheffler was born in Kankakee, IL and attended elementary school in a building built by his grandfather. After finishing his elementary education went to high school in Reddick, IL, 15 miles away while still working on the family farm. In 1954 he graduated from the University of Illinois College of Agriculture with honors. He was drafted during the Korean War and spent two years overseas. After his time in the service he returned to University of Illinois to pursue a masters degree. He went to the California Institute of Technology to study technics in biochemical genetics. He earned his Ph.D. in genetics at the California Institute of Technology in 1962, conducting studies on the mouse serum substance (Ss) protein under Ray Owen. He continued his studies on the mouse Ss protein as a research associate in the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Michigan Medical School for the next three years.

From 1965 to 1975, Shreffler rose from assistant professor to professor of genetics at Michigan. In 1975, he was offered the opportunity to build the genetics department at Washington University. Shreffler accepted the invitation and was appointed professor and the founding chairman of the Department of Genetics at Washington University School of Medicine. He stepped down as chairman in 1984 and continued to research and teach as a professor of genetics at Washington University until his death.

*Source: National Academy of Sciences biography, 2003.