Elinor Ostrom, a professor atIndiana Universitywho was the first woman to win theNobel Prizefor economics, died on Tuesday from cancer, the university said. She was ۷۸.
Ostrom received the ۲۰۰۹Nobel Prize in Economic Sciencesfor research on the ways that people organize themselves to manage resources. She shared the prize withUniversity of California economist Oliver Williamson.
" Indiana University has lost an irreplaceable and magnificent treasure with the passing of Elinor Ostrom, " university PresidentMichael McRobbiesaid in a statement. " Throughout her lifetime, Lin has brought distinction to the university through her groundbreaking work, which received the ultimate recognition in ۲۰۰۹ when she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. "
Ostrom had been anIndiana University facultymember since ۱۹۶۵, the university said. She is survived by her husband,Vincent Ostrom.
Born Elinor Awan on August ۷,۱۹۳۳, in Los Angeles, Ostrom often reflected on being a child of the Great Depression and recalled her family harvesting food from their garden and knitting scarves for soldiers during World War Two.
Ostrom described herself as being a " poor kid in a rich kid ' s school " at Beverly Hills High School where she swam competitively and joined the debate team.
She worked her way through theUniversity of California, Los Angeles, graduating in three years and entering the workforce before applying to graduate programs.
" Despite resistance to admitting women to doctoral programs " at that time, Ostrom earned master ' s and doctoral degrees from UCLA, Indiana University officials said.
Ostrom joined the Indiana University faculty in ۱۹۶۵. Her research ranged from the effectiveness of urban police departments to management of groundwater basins, irrigation systems, pasture lands, forests and fisheries, the university said.
McRobbie said Ostrom ' s love for her students and enduring support of colleagues will leave a legacy beyond the work she and her husband pursued and the university.
" Their generosity to Indiana University was extraordinary as well, with gifts, including Lin ' s Nobel Prize funds, totaling many millions of dollars, " McRobbie said.
Ostrom continued to travel and worked with colleagues on grants and publications, advising and teaching a graduate seminar after was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in late ۲۰۱۱, the university said.
