Jonas Salk was born in New York City to Jewish immigrants, Daniel and Dora Salk. He was the first in his family to attend college, setting the stage for a remarkable career in science and medicine.

Salk graduated from City College of New York with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. This foundational education ignited his passion for scientific inquiry and prepared him for his pursuit of medical research.

Salk earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from New York University School of Medicine. While initially intending to become a physician, he became increasingly drawn to research, particularly in bacteriology.

During World War II, Salk began researching influenza vaccines at the University of Michigan under Dr. Thomas Francis Jr. This experience provided him with critical knowledge and skills in virology and vaccine development, which he would later apply to polio research. The team developed influenza vaccines used by the US Army during the war.

Salk became the head of the Virus Research Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. This appointment provided him with the resources and infrastructure necessary to focus on developing a polio vaccine.

Salk began testing his inactivated poliovirus vaccine on himself and his family members. These initial trials demonstrated the safety and potential efficacy of his approach, paving the way for larger-scale studies.

One of the largest public health experiments in history commenced, involving over 1.8 million children. The Francis Field Trial was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to definitively prove (or disprove) the efficacy of Salk's vaccine. The scale of the trial highlights the urgency and widespread fear surrounding polio at the time.

The results of the 1954 field trials were announced, confirming that the Salk vaccine was safe and effective in preventing polio. This announcement was met with widespread celebration and relief, and Salk became a national hero.

Salk established the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California, a research institution dedicated to exploring the fundamental principles of life and applying those discoveries to improve human health. He envisioned a place where scientists from diverse disciplines could collaborate and pursue innovative research without the constraints of traditional academic structures.

Jonas Salk passed away in La Jolla, California, at the age of 80. His legacy continues to inspire scientists and public health officials around the world, and the Salk Institute remains a leading center for biomedical research. He never patented the polio vaccine, believing it should be accessible to everyone, a testament to his humanitarian spirit.