Percy Lavon Julian (1898-1975) - In 1935, Dr. Julian synthesized the drug physotigmine which is used today in the treatment of glaucoma. He later headed the soybean research department of the Glidden Company and then formed Julian Laboratories in order to specialize in the production of sterols which he extracted from the oil of the soybean.

Perfected in 1950, the method eventually lowered the cost of sterols and ultimately enabled millions of people suffering from arthritis to obtain relief throught the use of cortisone, a sterol derivative.