Evelyn M. Witkin

Evelyn M. Witkin
Witkin in 2012
Born
Evelyn Ruth Maisel

(1921-03-09)March 9, 1921
New York City, U.S.
DiedJuly 8, 2023(2023-07-08) (aged 102)
Plainsboro Township, New Jersey, U.S.
Alma materColumbia University (PhD)
Known forWork on DNA mutagenesis and DNA repair
Spouse
​
(died 1979)​
Children2 (1 deceased), including Andy
AwardsMember of National Academy of Sciences
Thomas Hunt Morgan Medal[1] (2000)
National Medal of Science[2] (2002)
Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research[3] (2015)
Scientific career
FieldsBacterial genetics
InstitutionsColumbia University
New York University
Rutgers University
ThesisGenetics of Resistance to Radiation in Escherichia Coli (1947)

Evelyn M. Witkin (née Maisel; March 9, 1921 – July 8, 2023) was an American bacterial geneticist at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1944–1955), SUNY Downstate Medical Center (1955–1971), and Rutgers University (1971–1991). Witkin was considered innovative and inspirational as a scientist, teacher and mentor.[4]

Her work on DNA damage and DNA repair in bacteria is foundational to our understanding of such processes in living organisms. Her work has direct application to the effects of aging and to the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases such as cancer.[5][4] Witkin was awarded the National Medal of Science in 2002 for her pioneering work on DNA mutagenesis and DNA repair.[2][6][7] In 2015, Witkin received the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research "for discoveries concerning the DNA-damage response - a fundamental mechanism that protects the genomes of all living organisms."[3]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference THMM was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Sweasy, J. B. (2004). "Evelyn M. Witkin Awarded the National Medal of Science". Radiation Research. 161 (4): 493–494. Bibcode:2004RadR..161..493S. doi:10.1667/3150. PMID 15038781. S2CID 40161613.
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference LaskerAward was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Lally, Robin (September 8, 2015). "Rutgers Professor Emerita Recognized for Contribution to Field of DNA Repair". Rutgers Today.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Smith was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference nsf' was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Gitschier, J. (2012). "It Was Heaven: An Interview with Evelyn Witkin". PLOS Genetics. 8 (10): e1003009. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1003009. PMC 3469448. PMID 23071456.