Gerry Fink Awarded George W. Beadle Medal

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (December 12, 2001) — Whitehead Member Gerry Fink was recently awarded the 2001 George W. Beadle Medal by the Genetics Society of America. The Beadle award is named in honor of acclaimed geneticist and Nobel Laureate George Wells Beadle.

This award recognizes Fink both for his scientific excellence and for his support of collegiality and the exchange of ideas within the genetics community. The award also recognizes Fink’s contribution to Cold Spring Harbor’s yeast genetics course and his impact on other educational programs. Fink received the first honorary doctorate awarded by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in 1999.

The Fink lab analyzes baker's yeast to explore critical pathways in cell growth and metabolism. Applications of this research include cancer research and the development of new anti-fungal drugs. He also directs a plant research group heralded for new insights into root growth and salt metabolism.

Beadle’s work helped lay the foundation for modern corn genetics. He is also credited with advancing the seminal “one gene, one proteins” hypothesis that shaped the course of molecular genetics research for many years.

Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research is a nonprofit, independent research and educational institution. Wholly independent in its governance, finances and research programs, Whitehead shares a close affiliation with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology through its faculty, who hold joint MIT appointments.