Papers of Benjamin W. Zweifach, pioneering researcher in the field of microcirculation and co-founder of the Bioengineering Department at the University of California, San Diego. Zweifach served as professor of bioengineering at UCSD from 1966-1981 and was designated emeritus professor of bioengineering in 1981. His areas of specialization included cardiovascular physiology, the lymphatic system, the inflammatory process, blood-tissue exchange, shock, blood rheology, and the contribution of endothelial cells and the blood leukocytes to the microcirculatory imbalance in hypertension and diabetes. The papers include correspondence, writings and original research by Zweifach, writings by others annotated by Zweifach, and photographs, slides and films related to Zweifach's life and research.
Benjamin Zweifach Papers, 1932 - 1997 (MSS 470)
Extent: 10.2 Linear feet (19 archives boxes, 3 card file boxes, and 7 oversized folders)
Born in New York City to Eastern European immigrants in 1911, Benjamin W. Zweifach received a B.S. degree in biology in 1931 from the College of the City of New York and a Ph.D. in cellular physiology from New York University Medical College in 1936. His first publications were some of the earliest micromanipulative studies of the capillary blood vessels in living tissue. Beginning with these studies, Zweifach devoted his career to the study of the smallest blood vessels in the circulation system.
Zweifach was an assistant professor and associate professor of physiology at Cornell Medical School from 1947-1952. He returned to New York University, serving as associate professor of biology and pathology until 1958 and then as professor of pathology until 1966. Having established himself as a leading researcher in the field of microcirculation, Zweifach decided to learn and use engineering methods to further his studies. He went to the California Institute of Technology as a visiting professor in 1964, collaborating with engineers like Harold Wayland, Yuan-Cheng Fung, and Marcos Intaglietta. In 1966, he accepted an appointment as professor of bioengineering in the Department of Applied Mechanics and Engineering Sciences (AMES) at the University of California, San Diego. The Bioengineering Program began in 1966 as a joint enterprise between the School of Medicine and the general university campus. One of the earliest programs of its kind, the department continued to grow and receive international recognitition for its pioneering work in education and research. The program continued a close association with the School of Medicine after it became an independent department in 1994. Zweifach remained affiliated with the department for 28 years, guiding its success and working in the laboratory.
While Zweifach was an active member of many medical and engineering societies, he was especially involved in the Microcirculatory Society, an organization he had helped found in 1954. He served as its president in 1960 and 1979. During his second term in office, Zweifach assisted in the organization of the Second World Congress for Microcirculation, which was held at UCSD in conjunction with the 25th anniversary meeting of the Microcirculatory Society. Recognizing his role as a leader in microcirculation research, the Microcirculatory Society began presenting the Benjamin W. Zweifach Award annually in 1982.
Benjamin Zweifach died in 1997.
The papers of Benjamin W. Zweifach, professor of bioengineering and researcher in microcirculation physiology, include correspondence with other researchers, reprints of published papers, unpublished writings and notes, annotated copies of other researchers's writings, correspondence and planning documents related to several microcirculation conferences and professional organizations, teaching materials from courses at UCSD, photographs of Zweifach, and technical photographs, slides and 16mm film related to his research. Most of the material documents the latter part of Zweifach's career following 1970. The materials are arranged in eleven series: 1) BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIAL, 2) CORRESPONDENCE, 3) WRITINGS AND RESEARCH, 4) WRITINGS OF OTHERS, 5) TEACHING MATERIALS, 6) SUBJECT FILES, 7) CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS, 8) PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, 9) PHOTOGRAPHS, SLIDES, AND FILMS, 10) MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS, and 11) ORIGINALS OF PRESERVATION PHOTOCOPIES.