Bruce ALBERTS
Editor-in-Chief, Science Magazine
Bruce Alberts, a prominent biochemist with a strong commitment to the improvement of science and mathematics education, serves as Editor-in-Chief of Science magazine and as one of President Obama’s first three Science Envoys. Alberts is also Professor Emeritus in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of California, San Francisco, to which he returned after serving two six-year terms as the President of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). During his tenure at the NAS, Alberts was instrumental in developing the landmark National Science Education standards that have been implemented in school systems nationwide. “The type of science as inquiry teaching we need”, says Alberts, “emphasizes logical, hands-on problem solving, and it insists on having evidence for claims that can be confirmed by others. It requires work in cooperative groups, where those with different types of talents can discover them developing self confidence and an ability to communicate effectively with others.” Alberts is also noted as one of the original authors of The Molecular Biology of the Cell, a preeminent textbook in the field now in its fifth edition. During the period from 2000 to 2009, he served as Co-chair of the InterAcademy Council; a new organization in Amsterdam governed by the presidents of 15 national academies of sciences, established to provide scientific advice to the World. Committed in his international work to the promotion of “creativity, openness and tolerance that are inherent to science”, Alberts believes that “scientists all around the world must now band together to help create more rational, scientifically-based societies that find dogmatism intolerable”. Alberts has earned many honors and awards, including 16 honorary degrees.