Elizabeth Blackburn

Date of Birth: November 26, 1948

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Biography

Elizabeth Helen Blackburn is an Australian-American scientist renowned for her pioneering work in molecular biology, particularly in the study of telomeres and the enzyme telomerase. Born in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, Blackburn’s academic journey began at the University of Melbourne, where she earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees. She then pursued her Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge in England, focusing on molecular biology. In the late 1970s, Blackburn moved to the United States for a postdoctoral fellowship at Yale University. It was during her tenure at the University of California, Berkeley, and later at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), that she made groundbreaking discoveries. Together with her colleague Carol W. Greider, Blackburn co-discovered telomerase, an enzyme that replenishes telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. This discovery has profound implications for understanding aging and cancer. In 2009, Blackburn, along with Carol W. Greider and Jack W. Szostak, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her research on telomeres and telomerase. Beyond her scientific achievements, Blackburn is an advocate for ethical scientific practices and has served on various scientific advisory boards. She has also been a vocal supporter of women in science.

5 Interesting Facts about Elizabeth Blackburn

1. Elizabeth Blackburn was the first Australian woman to win a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

2. She was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2007.

3. Blackburn has served as the President of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

4. She was dismissed from the President’s Council on Bioethics in 2004 due to her opposition to the Bush administration’s stance on stem cell research.

5. Blackburn is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society of London.