Nancy Hopkins (scientist)

Nancy Hopkins in 2023 01

Nancy Hopkins is an American molecular biologist and geneticist renowned for her work in cancer research and her advocacy for gender equality in science. She is a professor emerita at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Early Life and Education

Nancy Hopkins was born in New York City. She attended Radcliffe College, where she earned her B.A. in biology in 1964. She then pursued her Ph.D. in molecular biology at Harvard University, working under the mentorship of James D. Watson, one of the co-discoverers of the DNA double helix.

Career

After completing her Ph.D., Hopkins joined the faculty at MIT in 1973. Her early research focused on the genetics of bacteriophage lambda, a virus that infects Escherichia coli bacteria. She later shifted her focus to the study of zebrafish as a model organism for understanding the genetic basis of cancer.

Zebrafish Research

Hopkins is particularly noted for her pioneering work with zebrafish, which has become a crucial model organism in developmental biology and genetics. Her research led to the identification of several genes involved in the development of tumors.

Gender Equality Advocacy

In the 1990s, Hopkins became a prominent advocate for gender equality in science. She conducted a groundbreaking study on the status of female faculty at MIT, which revealed significant disparities in salary, lab space, and resources between male and female professors. This study led to widespread changes at MIT and other institutions, promoting greater equity for women in academia.

Awards and Honors

Nancy Hopkins has received numerous awards for her contributions to science and her advocacy work. These include the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow, the National Academy of Sciences membership, and the MIT Killian Award.

Personal Life

Hopkins is married to John M. Deutch, a chemist and former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). They have two children.

See Also

• Molecular biology
• Genetics
• Zebrafish
• Cancer research
• Gender equality in science