He received his PhD from Cambridge in 1926, with a dissertation under Lawrence J. Henderson on the hemoglobin molecule, completing work begun under Joseph Barcroft.

However, Mirsky went to great lengths to block Avery's discovery because of doubts that DNA was the sole genetic material.

In 1962 Mirsky chose a new lab assistant from a pool of candidates, in choosing a woman, Ellie Donoghue, he set a precedent by making her the first female lab assistant in the Institute's history, the very same position which he first held upon his initial association with Rockefeller Institute.

Mirsky proceeded to entrust Ms. Donoghue with assistance in his research and the running of his laboratory, setting an early precedent for the advancement of women in the labs at Rockefeller University.

This collection of jewelry, acquired during their many trips around the world, is a part of the university's holdings to this day.