Elaine Fuchs is renowned for her research in skin biology, its stem cells and associated genetic disorders, particularly cancers. She studies how stem cells make and repair tissues and how they withstand stress from wounds, mechanical trauma, inflammation and cancer-causing mutations. Following her Ph.D. from Princeton and postdoctorate at MIT, Fuchs joined the faculty at University of Chicago. In 2002, she relocated to The Rockefeller University, where she is an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Rebecca C. Lancefield Professor of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development. Fuchs has published >350 peer-reviewed manuscripts, and trained >30 PhD students and 100 postdoctoral fellows. Fuchs’ awards and honors include the National Medal of Science, L’Oreal-UNESCO Award, Albany Prize in Medicine, March of Dimes Prize, International Pezcoller Award in Cancer Research, EB Wilson Award in Cell Biology, Vanderbilt Prize, AACR Clowes Award, ISSCR McEwen Award for Innovation in Stem Cell Research, and the Gairdner International Award. Fuchs is an honorary member of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Medicine, American Philosophical Society, Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society. Her honorary doctorates include Harvard University. She is past-President of the American Society of Cell Biology and the International Society of Stem Cell Research. She serves on the Board of Trustees of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories, Board of Directors of the Damon Runyon Cancer Foundation, Scientific Advisory Boards of many international and national Universities and the Editorial Boards of major scientific journals. Fuchs is a tireless supporter of women scientists.
Elaine Fuchs
Rebecca C. Lancefield Professor of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development
Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
University of Illinois, B.S. with highest honors in Chemistry
Princeton University, Ph.D. in Biochemistry
GET TO KNOW ELAINE
What are you most proud of in your work or life?
Mentoring my students and postdocs to become scientific leaders
What are your passions and hobbies?
photography, international travel, art museums, ballet and symphony concerts, hiking
Do you have a personal motto or other words to live by?
Integrate science and discovery into your life
