1976, Nicol patented a new technique to increase the production yield of urokinase (U.S. Patent No. 3,930,944), an enzyme used to dissolve blood clots. She was one of the few African American women to be awarded a patent in molecular biology at that time. Among her many achievements while working at Abbott, Nicol successfully developed a test for toxoplasmosis in pregnant women, and an interferon assay. In 1985, Nicol was recruited by Baxter Pharmaceuticals. Within their hepatitis research and development group, known as Pandex, Nicol led the retrovirology division, which produced testing kits for blood-borne diseases such as HIV and human T-cell lymphotropic virus. Two blind studies funded by Abbott Pharmaceuticals determined that the testing kits produced under Nicol's leadership were the best available. While at Baxter pharmaceuticals, Nicol used her seniority to combat workplace discrimination, and advocate for fairer hiring practices. For example, she hired Linda Smith, whose resume had initially been rejected, likely because she had studied at a historically Black university. While she was working there, Pandex was bought by Nicol's former employer Abbott Laboratories. Nicol retired in 1990, refusing to work for a company that had been so openly discriminatory. Personal life Nicol had three children. Upon retirement, she lived in Waukegan, Illinois, and later in Weston, Connecticut. Retirement allowed Evelyn to partake in her many hobbies such as oil painting, bridge, and tennis to name a few. At the age of 89, Nicol was hospitalized for a stroke, and was diagnosed with COVID-19. She died from complications of the virus in May 2020. References Women immunologists Women microbiologists African-American biologists American women scientists Tuskegee University alumni American immunologists American microbiologists People from Bourbon County, Kentucky Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in Connecticut