In This Section
Elaine Fuchs, PhD

Elaine Fuchs, PhD

Rockefeller University, New York, New York

Class of 2013

A leader in the fields of skin stem cells and skin-related diseases, Dr. Fuchs began her career investigating keratinocyte biology and has continued to expand her research to transform our understanding of skin biology. Her research has had far-reaching implications for both the evolution of genetics as well as for dermatology.

Dr. Fuchs is well-known for her principal studies using reverse genetics to understand the biological basis of normal and abnormal skin development and function. Through such techniques and through the use of mouse models, she has been able to clarify the causes of epidermis and hair follicle development, while simultaneously defining the carcinogenesis potential of skin stem cells. Dr. Fuchs’ current research addresses the genetic make-up of multipotent skin stem cells and enhances our understanding of how these cells function, differentiate, and contribute to skin malignancies.

Career Highlights

2020 Gairdner International Award, Gairdner Foundation, Toronto, Ontario
2019 AACR-G.H.A. Clowes Memorial Award
2017 McEwen Award for Innovation
2010 AACR-Women in Cancer Research Charlotte Friend Memorial Lectureship
2010 L’Oreal UNESCO Awards for Women in Science
2009 United States National Medal of Science, National Science Foundation
2006 FASEB Award for Scientific Excellence
2005 Elected Member, American Philosophical Society
2004 Dickson Prize in Medicine, University of Pittsburgh
2003 Novartis Award in Biomedical Research
2001 Richard Lounsbery Award, National Academy of Sciences
1997 Senior Women’s Career Achievement Award, American Society for Cell Biology
1996 Elected Member, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC
1995 Montagna Award, Society for Investigative Dermatology
1994 Elected Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
1994 Elected Member, Institute of Medicine
1994-1999 Presidential Young Investigator
1981-1983 Searle Scholar
1977 PhD, Princeton University