Jonas Edward Salk (October 28, 1914 – June 23, 1995) was an American medical researcher and virologist. Salk discovered and developed the first successful inactivated polio vaccine.
He was born in New York City to Jewish parents. Although they had little formal education, his parents were determined to see their children succeed. While attending New York University School of Medicine, Salk stood out from his peers, not just because of his academic prowess, but because he went into medical research instead of becoming a practicing physician.