Born: 1966 (Boston, Massachusetts)
Biography:
Carolyn Ruth Bertozzi was born on October 10, 1966, in Boston, Massachusetts. She is an American chemist and Nobel laureate, known for her groundbreaking work that bridges the fields of chemistry and biology. Throughout her career, Bertozzi has made significant contributions to the development of bioorthogonal chemistry, a field that focuses on chemical reactions compatible with living systems.
Bertozzi completed her undergraduate studies at Harvard University, where she earned her A.B. summa cum laude in chemistry. During her time at Harvard, she worked under the guidance of Professor Joe Grabowski on the design and construction of a photoacoustic calorimeter. Her work impressed Grabowski, who required Bertozzi to write a thesis on the project. Her thesis was so exceptional that she was awarded the prestigious Thomas T. Hoopes Undergraduate Thesis Prize, along with a substantial monetary prize.
After her undergraduate studies, Bertozzi gained valuable research experience at Bell Labs, where she worked with chemist Chris Chidsey. It was during this time that she honed her skills and paved the way for her future achievements in the field of chemistry.
In 1993, Bertozzi received her Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. Her research, conducted under the mentorship of Mark Bednarski, focused on the chemical synthesis of oligosaccharide analogs. It was during her time at Berkeley that she made a significant discovery – viruses have the ability to bind to sugars in the body. This groundbreaking finding sparked her interest in the emerging field of glycobiology and set the stage for her future research endeavors.
After completing her Ph.D., Bertozzi embarked on an illustrious career as a chemist and researcher. She held positions at prominent institutions, including Stanford University and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. At Stanford, she currently holds the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professorship in the School of Humanities and Sciences. She is also an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) and has served as the director of the Molecular Foundry, a renowned nanoscience research center at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Throughout her career, Bertozzi’s research has focused on the synthesis of chemical tools to study cell surface sugars known as glycans. Her work has shed light on the role of glycans in various diseases, including cancer, inflammation, and viral infections such as COVID-19. By unraveling the complex interactions between glycans and diseases, Bertozzi’s research has opened new avenues for the development of targeted therapies and diagnostics.
Bertozzi’s contributions to the field of chemistry and biology have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. In 2005, she was elected as a member of the National Academy of Sciences, followed by her election to the Institute of Medicine in 2011 and the National Academy of Inventors in 2013. In 2010, she became the first woman to receive the esteemed Lemelson-MIT Prize faculty award. Furthermore, she received the MacArthur genius award at the young age of 33, highlighting her remarkable talent and dedication to her scientific pursuits.
Not only has Bertozzi made significant scientific contributions, but she has also been an influential figure in promoting diversity and inclusivity in academia and science. As an open lesbian, her visibility and success have made her a role model for students and colleagues alike. Her pioneering work and dedication to advancing the field of chemistry have undoubtedly paved the way for future generations of scientists.
In 2022, Carolyn Bertozzi was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, jointly with Morten P. Meldal and Karl Barry Sharpless, for the development of click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry. This prestigious accolade further solidifies her status as one of the most influential and esteemed chemists of our time.