Leone Norwood Farrell (1904–1986) was a Canadian biochemist and microbiologist who identified microbial strains of industrial importance and developed innovative techniques for the manufacture of vaccines and antibiotics.
[3][4] Farrell studied yeasts found in honey at the National Research Council of Canada[4] and worked at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine[3] following her PhD.
[3] Upon turning her attention to the pertussis vaccine, she developed a method of rocking bacterial cultures to stimulate growth of the bacteria and increase yield.
[3][4][5] When Salk travelled to Toronto to meet the team, Farrell was not allowed to attend the reception because it was held in a room reserved for men only.
[4][13] Her colleagues describe her as "a very serious person" possessed of "knowledge and mental fertility"; "She was a classic researcher and disciplined in her work to the extent that she knew you laid out a plan and followed it carefully for things to get done.