Erin Schuman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Erin Schuman
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Schuman in 2024
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| Born | May 15, 1963 California
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| Known for | Local protein synthesis in dendrites |
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Erin Margaret Schuman is a famous neurobiologist. She was born on May 15, 1963, in California, USA. Dr. Schuman studies how our brain cells, called neurons, communicate. She is currently a leader at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research in Germany.
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Erin Schuman's Journey in Science
Erin Schuman started her science journey at the University of Southern California. There, she earned her first degree in Psychology in 1985. She then went to Princeton University. In 1990, she received her Ph.D. in Neuroscience.
After her Ph.D., Dr. Schuman did more research at Stanford University. From 1990 to 1993, she worked in a lab studying how cells work. Later, she joined the California Institute of Technology. She became a full professor there. In 2009, she moved to Germany. She became a Director at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research. She still works there today.
Discoveries About Brain Cells
Dr. Schuman's lab studies how brain cells, or neurons, work. Neurons send messages to each other at tiny connections called synapses. Her team looks at special molecules called mRNAs and proteins. These molecules are found all over the neuron.
How Brain Cells Make Proteins
Dr. Schuman's research showed something very important. Brain cells can make new proteins right where they need them. This happens in parts of the neuron called dendrites. Dendrites are like branches that receive signals. This "local protein synthesis" helps synapses change and learn quickly.
In 1996, Dr. Schuman and her student Hyejin Kang made a big discovery. They found that making proteins in dendrites is key for how synapses change. This change is called synaptic plasticity. It helps our brains learn and remember things. Her work proved that proteins are made directly in these dendrite branches. This idea started a whole new field of study.
Finding New Molecules in the Brain
Her team also found many different types of mRNAs. They discovered over 2500 mRNAs located in the neuropil. The neuropil is a dense network of dendrites and axons in the brain. These mRNAs carry instructions for making proteins.
Dr. Schuman also helped create new tools for scientists. These tools help researchers find and see new proteins. They use special methods like BONCAT and FUNCAT. These methods allow scientists to label and track proteins as they are made. This helps us understand how brain cells work even better.
Helping Women in Science
Besides her research, Dr. Schuman cares about helping women in science. When she joined the Max Planck Institute, she asked for a new childcare center. This helps scientists who are also parents.
She also led a plan to get more women into leadership roles. Her goal was to double the number of female directors. This shows her dedication to making science fair for everyone. In 2018, she received an award for her teaching and support for others.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Erin Schuman has received many important awards for her work.
- 2026 – The Nakasone Award
- 2024 – Körber European Science Prize
- 2023 – The Brain Prize
- 2022 – Rosenstiel Award
- 2020 – Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine
- 2018 – Society for Neuroscience, Salpeter Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2017 – Elected Member Academia Europaea
- 2017 – Elected Member German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
- 2014 – Elected EMBO member
- 2013 – Hodgkin-Huxley-Katz Prize
- 1996 – Ferguson Biology Undergraduate Teaching Prize
- 1996–1998 – Beckman Young Investigator Award
- 1995–1999 – Pew Biomedical Scholar
