Maria Luisa Mendez

Guatemalan chemist who developed the first synthetic malaria treatment for tropical regions

Maria Luisa Méndez (1912-1968) was a Guatemalan chemist whose work in tropical medicine saved millions. Working at Guatemala's National Institute of Hygiene, she synthesized the anti-malarial drug Quinacrine in 1943, which became the WHO's primary treatment for tropical malaria until the 1980s. Her research at the INH led to the first mass-produced malaria prophylaxis for rural populations.

Mendez's 1947 paper Synthetic Antimalarials for Endemic Regions revolutionized drug delivery systems. She developed heat-stable tablets that could be stored without refrigeration, a critical innovation for tropical climates. Her work with the Pan American Health Organization helped eradicate malaria from Costa Rica and El Salvador by 1955.

Her 1958 invention of the Field-Test Malaria Kit allowed rapid diagnosis in remote areas, a precursor to modern rapid diagnostic tests. The Méndez Institute in Guatemala City continues her research, focusing on neglected tropical diseases. Her contributions were recognized with the 1962 Latin American Science Prize.

Mendez's legacy is seen in current WHO malaria strategies and the Gates Foundation's drug development programs. Her memoir In the Shadow of the Ceiba details her challenges as a woman scientist in mid-20th century Central America.