Selman Waksman was a prolific Russian-born American scientist who became famous for his discovery of antibiotics, mainly streptomycin that revolutionized the medical world for its effective treatment against tuberculosis. Waksman gave his life to the study of organic substances. An inventor, biochemist and microbiologist by profession, it was Waksman who initiated studies of the decomposition of organic residues in soils and composts to form humus. For four decades, Waksman researched in his laboratory the study of the nature, distribution, and properties of the microorganisms, and their effects on the structure and the physical and chemical properties of the soils they inhabit. Over the course of his career, he discovered over twenty antibiotics and introduced procedures that have led to the development of many others. For his vital contribution and discovery of antibiotic streptomycin as an antidote for tuberculosis, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Interestingly, the royalties received from the sale of streptomycin and neomycin were used in the creation of Institute of Microbiology at Rutgers University, which was later renamed Waksman Institute of Microbiology. The institute runs till date and supports courses, lectureships, exchange programs and research in the field of microbiology.