By Leonard Rodriguez
This column highlights inspiring stories of Latino leaders. For more than 500 years, Latino men and wom- en have positively influenced the face of United States so- ciety. Let us celebrate these outstanding hispanics.
Dr. Francisco Sanchez Alvarez
Born in Jalapa, Mexico in 1928, Dr Francisco Sanchez Alvarez came to the U.S. to begin his graduate studies in organic chemistry at Harvard University under well-known Professor Louis Fieser. In 1957, he returned to Mexico as a development research scientist with Syntax. By 1964, he was named departmental head or Syntax in Palo Alto, California. In 1973, he was appointed principal scientist playing an important role in the company’s development. His most notable accomplishments include his work on Norethindrone, a principal component of many birth control pills and Synalar, a topical anti-inflammatory drug. Author of more than 15 scientific publications, Alvarez also is listed as the inventor of more than 80 foreign and U.S. patents.
