L. Royal Christensen (1915 – 22 March 1997) was an American epidemiologist who, along with André Cournand and William S. Tillett, won the 1949 Lasker Award for their work in showing that the enzymes streptokinase and streptodornase can be used to treat disease.
[1] He then taught microbiology at New York University School of Medicine-Bellevue Medical.
[1] His work involving both the enzyme streptokinase, which can help dissolve blood clots,[1] and purifying the enzyme streptodornase, which can be used to "dissolve secretions from infections" showed that they can be used to prevent the necessity of surgical removal of infections, was recognized by the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research in 1949.
[1] Described as thrombolytic therapy, this treatment was named as one of the top 10 discoveries in cardiology in the 20th century.
[1] He founded the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science, serving first president.