Answer :
Final answer:
Alma Levant Hayden, an FDA department head in 1952, exposed an ineffective anti-cancer drug, showcasing the shift from alchemy to evidence-based science.
Explanation:
However, the particular context given refers to Alma Levant Hayden, a department head at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), who in 1952 employed a methodical and carefully recorded scientific approach. Hayden is renowned for her work in exposing a purported anti-cancer drug as an ineffective concoction of common substances.
This event is a pivotal example of the transition from the speculative practices of early alchemists to the empirical methodologies of modern science. The term 'Urban Alchemy' could figuratively describe the transformation of societal issues through methodical and substantiated efforts, mirroring the scientific rigor exemplified by Hayden's work.