Mary Dasso

Mary Dasso is an American biologist and researcher known for her significant contributions to the field of cell biology. She is currently serving as the Chief of the Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Early Life and Education

Dasso was born and raised in the United States. She pursued her undergraduate studies in biology at the University of Chicago, where she developed a keen interest in cell biology and genetics. She then went on to earn her Ph.D. in biochemistry from the Stanford University.

Career

After completing her Ph.D., Dasso joined the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a postdoctoral fellow. She later became a tenure-track investigator and subsequently, the Chief of the Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Her research primarily focuses on understanding the mechanisms of cell division and chromosome segregation, with a particular emphasis on the role of the Ran GTPase pathway.

Research and Contributions

Dasso's research has significantly advanced our understanding of the Ran GTPase pathway and its role in cell division. Her work has shown that the Ran GTPase pathway is crucial for the proper segregation of chromosomes during cell division, a process that is often disrupted in cancer cells. This has important implications for the development of new cancer therapies.

Awards and Recognition

In recognition of her contributions to the field of cell biology, Dasso has received numerous awards and honors. She is a member of the American Society for Cell Biology and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.