Maxine Frank Singer
Personal Information
Born: 1931
Died: 2024
Country of Birth: USA
Nationality: USA
Ethnicity: White
Education
Swarthmore College AB Chemistry & Biology 1952; Yale University PhD Biochemistry 1957
Professional Life
Field of Study: Molecular Biology
Institution/Corporation: National Institute of Arthritis Metabolism & Digestive Diseases (NIAMDD); National Cancer Institute (NCI); Carnegie Institution of Washington; NIH
Degrees & Memberships: Honorary Degree: Brandeis University Harvard University Dartmouth College Williams College NYU Swarthmore College Yale University Weitzmann Institute of Science; Member: American Academy of Arts & Sciences (1978) National Academy of Sciences (1979) Pontifical Academy of Sciences (1986) Fellow of the Yale Corporation (1975-1990) Board of Governors & Scientific Advisory Council of the Weitzmann Institute of Science in Rehovot Israel American Philosophical Society (1990) Human Genome Organization Board of Directors of Johnson & Johnson
Awards & Achievements
Awards: 1988 Distinguished Presidential Rank; 1992 National Medal of Science; 2007 Public Welfare Medal National Academy of Sciences; 1982 AAAS Award for Scientific Freedom & Responsibility; 1999 Vannevar Bush Award; 2008 ASCB Public Service Medal; 2002 named 1 of the 50 Most Important Women in Science Discover magazine; 2004 Philip Hauge Abelson Prize AAAS
Achievements: helped build innovative programs to improve science & mathematics education in Washington DC public schools through the First Light & CASE Programs; researched RNA synthesis the role of enzymes in DNA & RNA synthesis & metabolism genetic recombination in defective viruses & the structure of the DNA-protein complex called chromatin; in the 1980s studied DNA sequences called LINEs (long interspersed nucleotide elements); advocate for socially responsible science
Known for her contributions to solving the genetic code
1st & only female president of the Carnegie Institute for Science in D.C. (1988-2002)
Among the 1st to call attention to the possible risks of genetic engineering
1999, 1st female recipient of Vannevar Bush Award
1980s, focused her research on long interspersed nucleotide elements (LINEs)
Influential in refining science policy especially in recumbent DNA technology
Introduced "First Light" & CASE programs in DC elementary schools to improve math & science education