H. Catherine W. Skinner, longtime senior researcher at Yale University, passed away on July 30. She was 94 years old.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Skinner received her bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College, a women’s liberal arts educational institution in South Hadley, Massachusetts. She went on to receive a master’s degree from Harvard University’s Radcliffe College, followed by a Ph.D. in mineralogy from the University of Adelaide in South Australia. After completing her studies, she conducted research with the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.
In 1966, Dr. Skinner began her long career with Yale as a senior researcher in the department of geology and geophysics (now the department of earth and planetary sciences). She held affiliate appointments in the department of orthopaedics and rehabilitation at Yale School of Medicine, as well as the Yale Peabody Museum. A pioneer in the field of medical geology, she was known for her research on phosphates and contributions to dentistry and orthopedics. Throughout her career, she shared her knowledge on mineralogy and crystallography with biologists and biochemists, leading to advancements in collagen, bone, and teeth research.
In addition to her scientific endeavors, Dr. Skinner was the first woman to ever lead a residential college at Yale, serving as head of Jonathan Edwards College from 1977 to 1982. During this time, she created a professional support group for women and was a founding member of the Investors Strategy Institute, which aimed to educate women on growing and solidifying their financial futures. She was also the first woman president of the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences.