Bacq, Z. M. (Zénon M.)

Zénon M. Bacq was born on December 31, 1903, in La Louvière, Belgium.

He was a Belgian radiobiologist, inventor, educator, and author. He earned his medical degree from the Université Libre de Bruxelles in 1927 and continued his studies at Harvard University from 1929 to 1930. Bacq taught animal physiology and pathology, pharmacology, and radiobiology at the University of Liège in Belgium. During his research on the chemical transmissions of nerve impulses, he developed innovative methods to protect oneself from ionizing radiations. In 1948, Bacq was awarded the Francqui Prize for Biological and Medical Sciences. He was also honored with the membership of the Royal Academy of Science, Letters, and Fine Arts of Belgium in 1971. Bacq is regarded as one of the pioneers of comparative pharmacology.

He died on July 12, 1983, in Fontenoy, Belgium.