Frank Ruddle

Sterling Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology

Frank Ruddle, B.A. and M.S. from Wayne State University, Ph.D. U.C. Berkeley, faculty member at Yale since 1961, you have been a pioneer in genetics research, one of the first to recognize the importance of human genome mapping. In 1980, you and a team of Yale scientists made national headlines when you transferred genetic material from a virus to a mouse, and a year later, your team implanted a human gene into a mouse. In 1984 you contributed to another major breakthrough as part of a team that successfully matched genes controlling the development of the fruit fly with those of a mouse. As head of a consortium, you constructed the first computerized human genome map that has come to its fruition in the publication of the complete map of the human genome. These achievements have brought you many honors and distinctions, among them membership in the National Academy of Sciences, the Presidency of both the Society for Developmental Biology and the American Society for Cell Biology, and innumerable academic awards.

Aside from bringing luster to Yale as a scientist, you have been a tireless worker for Yale. In addition to other committee work, you served an almost unprecedented two terms as Chairman of the Biology Department, a large department, and with over a hundred scientific researchers and staff under its large umbrella. In addition, you have always been an excellent mentor for young scientists. Over the years, you have taken more than thirty-four undergraduate students into your lab to learn the rudiments of scientific research, have guided thirty graduate students to their Ph.Ds and have supervised about fifty-two postdoctoral fellows. Many of your proteges have become well known scientists in their own right.

And one more thing. In the late 1970s, you forged an innovative partnership between Yale and the Bayer Corporation, which led to the spin-off of new companies, promoted the creation of the Yale Office of Cooperative research, and established a pattern of university and industry cooperation that continues to invigorate Connecticut’s technology community today. You stimulated the growth of technology companies through your decade of service on the Board of Science Park, your leadership in the Route 34 Biomedical Park, and as a consultant to various companies. Through all of this you have served Yale with great loyalty and devotion. Now as you retire, your admiring colleagues gratefully give you thanks.

Tribute Editor: Penelope Laurans