Maxine Singer
Maxine Singer (born February 15, 1931) is an American molecular biologist and science administrator. She is known for her contributions to the field of genetics and her advocacy for ethical scientific practices.
Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]
Maxine Singer was born in New York City, New York. She attended Swarthmore College, where she earned her bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1952. She then went on to receive her Ph.D. in biochemistry from Yale University in 1957.
Career[edit | edit source]
After completing her Ph.D., Singer joined the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a research biochemist. She worked in the Laboratory of Biochemistry at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), where she made significant contributions to the understanding of nucleic acids.
Research Contributions[edit | edit source]
Singer's research focused on the structure and function of DNA and RNA. She was instrumental in the discovery of repetitive DNA sequences and their role in the genome. Her work laid the foundation for the development of recombinant DNA technology.
Ethical Advocacy[edit | edit source]
In addition to her scientific research, Singer was a vocal advocate for ethical practices in biotechnology. She played a key role in organizing the Asilomar Conference on Recombinant DNA in 1975, which established guidelines for the safe use of recombinant DNA technology.
Leadership Roles[edit | edit source]
Singer served as the director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) from 1980 to 1988. She was also the president of the Carnegie Institution for Science from 1988 to 2002. During her tenure, she promoted interdisciplinary research and the advancement of women in science.
Awards and Honors[edit | edit source]
Maxine Singer has received numerous awards for her contributions to science, including the National Medal of Science in 1992 and the Public Welfare Medal from the National Academy of Sciences in 2007.
Personal Life[edit | edit source]
Singer is married and has three children. She continues to be active in the scientific community, serving on various advisory boards and committees.
See Also[edit | edit source]
- Molecular biology
- Genetic engineering
- Biotechnology
- National Institutes of Health
- Carnegie Institution for Science
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
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- 1931 births
- Living people
- American biochemists
- American women scientists
- Swarthmore College alumni
- Yale University alumni
- National Institutes of Health people
- Members of the United States National Academy of Sciences
- Recipients of the National Medal of Science
- Carnegie Institution for Science people
- Medicine stubs
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
