Bonnie Bassler

Bonnie Bassler, an esteemed American molecular biologist, serves as the Squibb Professor in Molecular Biology and chairs the Department of Molecular Biology at Princeton University. As a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, she has made significant strides in understanding cell-to-cell chemical communication in bacteria, particularly through her groundbreaking research on quorum sensing.

Her work has illuminated the mechanisms by which bacteria communicate, leading to innovative ideas about disrupting chemical signaling as a potential antimicrobial therapy. This research not only advances our understanding of microbial behavior but also opens new avenues for combating bacterial infections.

Throughout her illustrious career, Bassler has garnered numerous prestigious awards, including the Princess of Asturias Award in two thousand twenty-three, the Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize in two thousand twenty-one, and the Pearl Meister Greengard Prize in two thousand sixteen. Her accolades also include the L'Oreal-UNESCO award in two thousand twelve, the Richard Lounsbery Award in two thousand eleven, the Wiley Prize in Biomedical Sciences in two thousand nine, and a MacArthur Fellowship in two thousand two.

In addition to her research achievements, Bassler is a respected member of the scientific community, having been elected to the National Academy of Sciences in two thousand six and becoming a Foreign Member of the Royal Society in two thousand twelve. She served as the president of the American Society for Microbiology in two thousand eleven and was a member of the National Science Board until her term expired in May two thousand sixteen. Furthermore, she contributed her expertise as an editor for the Annual Review of Genetics from two thousand twelve to two thousand seventeen.