Mary Alice McWinnie Headshot

MARY ALICE MCWHINNIE

CLASS OF 1944 & 1946

PROFESSOR & CHAIR, BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Double Demon and DePaul faculty member, Mary Alice McWhinnie was widely recognized for her research on krill in Antarctic waters. In 1962, McWhinnie was the first female scientist selected to join the United States Antarctic Research Program, traveling to Antarctica 11 times. In 1976, she became one of the first women to spend the entire winter on the continent. She also worked to advance opportunities for women at DePaul by hiring female faculty members and serving on the University Promotions Board and was posthumously awarded DePaul’s highest honor, the Via Sapientiae Award, for her contributions to the university.
Dr. Mary Alice McWhinnie pushed the boundaries of science in extreme environments. Her efforts opened a path for other women to follow.
Christie Klimas, Associate Professor of Environmental Science
FACES OF DEPAUL