Marion D. Francis
The information listed below is current as of the date the transcript was finalized.
Interview Details

Interview Sessions
Abstract of Interview
Marion David Francis begins his interview with a discussion of his childhood in Canada. Deeply influenced by his industrious parents and siblings, Francis worked his way through high school and college at a logging camp. He received his BA in chemistry in 1946 and his M.A. in chemistry in 1949, both from the University of British Columbia. Francis married shortly after, and he and his wife moved to Iowa, where he continued his studies at the University of Iowa, obtaining a PhD in biochemistry in 1953. Francis accepted a position with Procter & Gamble in 1952. His first work there involved research on detergents and skin penetration. Procter & Gamble then moved Francis into hair research. Finally, Francis moved to the dental section, where he became involved with fluoride research. Using both human and bovine dental samples, Francis explored enamel resistance to calcium fluoride. He also proved in other lab tests on rats that fluoride had an anti-enzymatic effect on teeth, and that fluoride treatments helped protect rats' teeth from decay. Francis continued to do dental research on calculus and its safe removal from teeth without damaging the enamel. Speaking on scientific innovation, Francis touches on team effort and support, as well as management and research and development. Francis concludes the interview with a reflection on winning his scientific awards and final thoughts on his family.
Education
Year | Institution | Degree | Discipline |
---|---|---|---|
1946 | University of British Columbia | BA | Chemistry |
1949 | University of British Columbia | MA | Chemistry |
1953 | University of Iowa | PhD | Biochemistry |
Professional Experience
University of British Columbia
Canadian Fishing Company
University of Iowa
Procter & Gamble Company
Norwich Pharma Services
Honors
Year(s) | Award |
---|---|
1977 | Cincinnati Chemist of the Year Award, American Chemical Society, Cincinnati Section |
1979 | Professional Accomplishment Award in Industry, Technical and Scientific Societies Council of Cincinnati |
1990 | Technical Innovation Award, Victor Mills Society |
1994 | National Industrial Chemistry Award, American Chemical Society |
1996 | Perkin Medal, Society of Chemical Industry |
1996 | Morley Award and Medal, American Chemical Society, Cleveland Section |
Table of Contents
Growing up in British Columbia. Relationship with brothers. Working through high school and college. Decision to major in chemistry. Bachelor's degree in chemistry.
Decision to attend the University of Iowa. Marriage. Influential professors. PhD in biochemistry. Working as a research assistant at University of Iowa. Accepting a position with Procter & Gamble working in skin research.
Moving from skin research into hair research. Oxidation studies. Moving from hair research into the dental section. Colleagues in the department. First work on fluoride analysis on enamel. Thermodynamic testing. Enzyme studies on the effect of fluoride on teeth. Beginning work on calculus.
Studying effect of EHDP (ethane hydroxy diphosphate) on crystal growth inhibition on enamel and bone. Beginning work on phosphonates. Studies on calcifications of mammalian systems. Treating a child with myositis ossificans progressiva. FDA approval of diphosphonates. Venturing into bone research.
Working for Canadian Fishing Company. Scientific innovation. Teamwork and research at Procter & Gamble. Establishing medical group within Procter & Gamble. Developmental support. Future of research and development.
Winning Award in Chemical Industry and the Perkin Medal. Acknowledgement of staff technicians. Retirement. Family.
About the Interviewer
James G. Traynham is a professor of chemistry at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. He holds a PhD in organic chemistry from Northwestern University. He joined Louisiana State University in 1953 and served as chemistry department chairperson from 1968 to 1973. He was chairman of the American Chemical Society’s Division of the History of Chemistry in 1988 and is currently councilor of the Baton Rouge section of the American Chemical Society. He was a member of the American Chemical Society’s Joint-Board Council on Chemistry and Public Affairs, as well as a member of the Society’s Committees on Science, Chemical Education, and Organic Chemistry Nomenclature. He has written over 90 publications, including a book on organic nomenclature and a book on the history of organic chemistry.