1951-

Australian-born medical scientist and gastroenterologist who co-discovered Helicobacter pylori, a spiral shaped bacterium responsible for stomach inflammation, including peptic ulcers and gastritis. Barry's discovery helped dispel myths that the stomach was actually sterile and resistant to bacterial infection. He was so convinced that the medical community was wrong that he actually ingested the bacteria to prove his case. Because of his research, the bacteria is now widely recognized as the most common chronic infection in the world.