Ralph T. Holman (March 4, 1918 â August 15, 2012) was a biochemist whose research focused on lipids and fatty acids, especially the Omega-3 fatty acid. He is regarded as the "Father of Omega-3 fatty acids", coining the term in 1963.
A review of the work of Dr. Holman is available in the Journal of Nutrition as written by himself: Holman RT. The slow discovery of the importance of omega-3 essential fatty acids in human health. J Nutr 1998;128:427S-433S.
Ralph Theodore Holman was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Holman graduated from Bethel Junior College in 1937. He received a BS in biochemistry from the University of Minnesota, and an MS in biochemistry from Rutgers University. He earned a PhD in physiological chemistry from the University of Minnesota, and finished two post-doctoral fellowships in Sweden.
He was a teacher at Texas A&M, the University of Minnesota, and at the Mayo Medical School.
He became a member of the National Academy of Sciences for his work on lipids and fatty acids. In 1998 he was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of the Year at Bethel Junior College.