William Taylor Ham

Dr. William Taylor Ham, Jr. (1908 – 2 September 1998) was a professor and chair of biophysics at the Medical College of Virginia. Dr. Ham was a pioneer and leader in the biomedical application of lasers and as an expert on the effects of radiant energy on the retina.

Life and Education

Ham was born in Norfolk, Virginia, the son of William and Lucy Ham. After graduation from Episcopal High School he attended the University of Virginia and earned a B.Sc. in Engineering in 1931 and an M.S.in Physics in 1933 and Ph.D. in Physics in 1935. From the Virginia, Ham went to Columbia University from 1936 – 1937 to teach physics. In 1940 Ham married Jean Stratton Anderson (b. 1913) of Aberdeen, Scotland. They had two children, Christina Duncan Anderson Ham and Elspeth Read Ham.

Professional Work

In 1938, Ham returned to the University of Virginia to assist Dr. Jesse Beams and Dr. Leland B. Snoddy. In 1940, he worked on the development of ultracentrifuges for the separation of uranium isotopes as part of the Manhattan Project.

During World War II, Ham served with the United States Marine Corp in the South Pacific. At the end of WWII, he was assigned as a radar officer for the 5th AA Battalion on Okinawa, reaching the rank of Major. Ham subsequently left the Marine Corps in 1946 and returned to Charlottesville, Virginia to head the Division of Physics and Engineering at the Institute of Textile Technology. In 1948, Ham joined the faculty of the Department of Surgery at the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) as an associate professor. He worked with Dr. Everett I. Evans and his team to study the biological effects of thermal and ionizing radiation in nuclear warfare. In 1951, Ham participated in "Operation Ranger", conducted in Nevada. The data from the tests benefited studies on thermal flash burns, and assisted the U.S. military. In 1952, working with Dr. Everett I. Evans, Ham studied the ‘first hand’ effects of flash burns. Ham himself participated as a subject in the studies, and was able to improve the research methodology through these first person cause-and-effect results.

In 1953 the Medical College of Virginia created the Department of Biophysics; Ham became the first chair and was promoted to full professor. He taught courses on biophysics and radiobiology and continued research on retinal burns in rabbits. In 1956, Ham went with a five-man team to Japan upon request from the National Research Council and the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission. The team looked at data collection on the exact level of radiation exposure for each survivor of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The results of their findings became the "Project Ichiban".

Consultant Work

• Atomic Energy Commission
• Corning Glass Works
• Eastman Kodak Co.
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory
• Polaroid Corporation
• Xerox

Laser Research

In the 1960s as laser technology developed Ham started to study the ocular effects of laser radiation and other light sources such as the sun. Ham researched the damaging effects of extended exposure to blue light and age-related macular degeneration.

Professor Emeritus

In 1976 he retired as chair of Biophysics and was named professor emeritus. Ham continued as an active researcher until 1989.

Awards and Honors

• Follow, Virginia Academy of Science, 1974
• Life Achievement Award in Science, Science Museum of Virginia, 1990
• George M. Wilkening Award in Laser Safety, Laser Institute of America, 1997
• Recognition from Commonwealth of Virginia Legislature

Health Physics Society

• Founding member, 1955
• Board of Directors, 1955, 1960, 1961, 1964
• President, 1963
• Member, Virginia Chapter

Professional Service

• Radiation Advisory Board, Commonwealth of Virginia
• Electromagnetic Radiation Management Advisory Committee

Notes

• Guide to the Papers of Dr. William T. Ham, Jr., 1933-1996
• On the death of William T. Ham, Jr.