Andrew G. Campbell facts for kids

Andrew Garrett Campbell is an American biologist and a professor. He teaches Medical Science at Brown University. He is also the Dean of the Graduate School there. In 2020, a science magazine called Cell Press recognized him. They named him one of the 100 "inspiring Black scientists in America."

Early Life and Education

Andrew Campbell loved science from a young age. He studied biology at York College, City University of New York. He also learned French. He finished his studies in 1981.

After college, he moved to the West Coast of the United States. He went to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). There, he studied tiny fruit flies called Drosophila melanogaster. He learned a lot about how living things are built.

After his main studies, he continued his research. He worked as a special researcher at UCLA. He also worked at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). At UCSF, he studied the Hepatitis B Virus. This research helped create the first genetically engineered vaccine. This vaccine helps protect people from Hepatitis B.

Research and Career

In 1994, Dr. Campbell became a professor at Brown University. He teaches Medical Science there. His research focuses on diseases caused by tiny germs. He studies these diseases in places where people often don't get much help.

He is very interested in special enzymes called Ribonuclease H (RNases H). Enzymes are like tiny helpers in our bodies. He wants to understand how these enzymes work. This helps scientists learn more about how our bodies function.

Dr. Campbell also studies a tiny parasite called Trypanosoma brucei. This parasite is carried by tsetse flies. It causes a serious disease in parts of Africa. He hopes his research can help find new ways to fight these diseases. He also looks at how changes in these enzymes can make medicines stop working.

Besides his science research, Dr. Campbell works to help more students. He wants more people from groups who haven't always been in science to join. He helps them get into science and technology programs.

In 2016, he became the Dean of the Graduate School at Brown University. This means he helps lead all the students who are studying for advanced degrees. He has worked hard to make the student population more diverse. He also made it easier for students to apply to some programs. In 2019, he announced that many programs would no longer need a special test called the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE).

Awards and Honors

Dr. Campbell has received many awards for his important work:

• 1997: National Science Foundation CAREER Award
• 1998: American Foundations for AIDS Research Investigator Award
• 2010: Brown University Harriet W. Sheridan Center Medal for Distinguished Contributions to Teaching and Learning
• 2015: Brown University Presidential Award for Excellence in Faculty Governance
• 2017: Elected Fellow of the American Society for Cell Biology
• 2020: Elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
• 2020: Chosen to be Chair-elect on the Board of Directors of the Council of Graduate Schools
• 2021: Elected to the Council of the American Society for Cell Biology