Max Tishler was president of Merck Sharp and Dohme Research Laboratories where he led the research teams that synthesizedascorbic acid, riboflavin, cortisone, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, nicotinamide, methionine, threonine, and tryptophan. He also developed the fermentation processes for actinomycin, vitamin B12, streptomycin, and penicillin. Tishler invented sulfaquinoxaline for the treatment for coccidiosis. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts on October 30, 1906. In 1934 he earned his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Harvard University. Dr. Tishler received the National Medal of Science in 1987 for "his profound contributions to the nation's health and for the impact of his research on the practice of chemistry." He died of emphysema at Middlesex Memorial Hospital in Middletown, Connecticut on March 18, 1989.