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During his time as graduate student (~ Oct 1954) Donald Byrne took part in the compilation and evaluation of statistical data of the third phase field trial in the 'Poliomyelitis Vaccine Evaluation Center at the University of Michigan, Statistical Operations' [under director Dr. Thomas Francis Jr.] to help to determine whether the vaccine was effective in preventing poliovirus infection.
'.. Dr. Robert Bernreuter, a psychologist who designed one of the first scientific measurements of personality, became the Dean of Admissions in 1958 and Vice President of Student Affairs in 1964, and he loved the royal game. He recruited Donald Byrne with the understanding that he could teach English and still coach the team. ..'
https://donaldbyrnechess.org/heritage
from Donald Byrne Memorial Chess Club
'.. when Donald Byrne ran PSU chess, chess was under the athletic department and adequately funded. However, after Byrne died in 1976, the chess club reverted to a student organization with minimal funding. ..'
https://en.chessbase.com/post/the-p...
from ChessBase, Chess News by Alexey Root , 2017
Attack from Moscow
'.. Russia's chess masters are mature men, well-groomed, dignified, their appearance suggesting a group of prominent professors. In comparison the Americans suggest a group of revolutionaries—wild, unpredictable and unyielding in their resistance to Soviet chess authority. ..'
https://vault.si.com/vault/1955/07/...
from Sports Illustrated, Events & Discoveries, July 1955
Former chess coach named to Hall of Fame
'.. Madge Byrne explains that although her husband taught his whole family the rules of chess, she preferred playing with their boys after her first few games with him. "Not only was there no hope of winning against Don, but 'insult was added to injury' by his reading a book while I struggled to decide on a move, which he would respond to in a few seconds, and then return to his book." A year or two later, she admits, she was outclassed by her boys, as well. They continue to play one another casually, and benefit from tips given by "Uncle Bob," Donald Byrne's older brother, Grandmaster Robert Byrne , who is a chess analyst for The New York Times and who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994. ..'
https://www.dept.psu.edu/ur/archive...
by Gary Cramer (Association of Clinical Research Professionals), 2002
Obituary Madge Coleman Byrne (1925-2010)
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/c...
Their son Eli (Christopher 'Chris' C.) Byrne is an Associate Professor of Mathematics.
Further reading on vaccination at the time
https://www.researchgate.net/public...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March...
Kibitzing
