Elizabeth Robertson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Liz Robertson
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| Born |
Elizabeth Jane Robertson
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| Alma mater | University of Oxford (BA, MA) University of Cambridge (PhD) |
| Awards | Royal Medal (2016) EMBO Member (2002) Suffrage Science award (2011) |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | Columbia University Harvard University University of Oxford |
| Doctoral advisor | Martin Evans |
Elizabeth Jane Robertson is a famous British scientist. She studies how living things grow and develop. She works at the University of Oxford. Dr. Robertson is known for her amazing work with tiny cells called embryonic stem cells.
She discovered how to put new genetic changes into mouse cells. These changes could then be passed on to future generations. This important discovery helped many other scientists. It opened up new ways to study how bodies develop. It also helped understand how diseases happen.
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Becoming a Scientist
Elizabeth Robertson studied at two well-known universities. She first went to the University of Oxford. There, she earned her first degree.
Later, she went to the University of Cambridge. In 1982, she earned her PhD degree. Her teacher and guide there was a scientist named Martin Evans.
Her Scientific Journey
After finishing her PhD, Dr. Robertson stayed at the University of Cambridge. She continued her research there. She worked as a research assistant for some time.
Later, she became a professor. She taught and did research at Columbia University. Then, she moved to Harvard University. Finally, she came back to the University of Oxford.
Working with Stem Cells
At Columbia University, Dr. Robertson made a big breakthrough. She showed that embryonic stem cells with new genes could grow into all parts of a mouse's body. This meant that the new genes could be passed on to the mouse's babies.
She used this method to study how different growth factors work. Growth factors are like special signals. They tell cells what to do as an embryo grows. She also looked for new genes that might stop normal development.
Understanding Development
Dr. Robertson's work showed something surprising. Sometimes, changing many genes had little effect on how an animal developed. This helped scientists understand how living systems can be very strong and flexible. They can still develop normally even if some genes are changed.
She also helped figure out how an early embryo decides its head-to-tail direction. This is called anterior-posterior polarity. She also studied how the embryo decides its left and right sides. These are important steps for a body to form correctly.
Sharing Knowledge
Dr. Robertson also helps share new scientific discoveries. She works as an editor for a science magazine called Development. She also helps with other important science magazines. These include Developmental Biology and Current Opinion in Genetics & Development.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Elizabeth Robertson has received many honors for her work. These awards show how important her discoveries are.
- In 2024, she was given the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This was for her great work in medical science.
- In 2016, she received the Royal Medal. This award was for her new ideas in studying mouse embryos. It recognized her work on how early body plans are made.
- She became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2003. This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK.
- Since 2002, she has been a member of the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO).
- She is also a Wellcome Trust Principal Research Fellow. This means she gets important funding for her research.
- She was the Chair of the British Society for Developmental Biology.
- In 2008, she won the Edwin G. Conklin Medal. This award is from the Society for Developmental Biology.
- She received the Suffrage Science award in 2011.
- In 2009, she was given the Waddington Medal.
- She won the Pearl Meister Greengard Prize from Rockefeller University in 2007.
