Sandra Schmid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sandra Louise Schmid
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| Born | March 7, 1958 |
| Alma mater | University of British Columbia, Stanford University |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Cell Biology |
| Institutions | University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, CZ Biohub |
| Doctoral advisor | James E. Rothman |
| Other academic advisors | Ira Mellman |
Sandra Louise Schmid (born March 7, 1958) is a famous Canadian cell biologist. She was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. She is currently the first Chief Scientific Officer of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub.
Before joining CZ Biohub, she was a professor and leader of the Cell Biology Department at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Schmid has written many scientific papers. Her work focuses on how cells take things in from their outside environment. This process is called endocytosis. She was the first to discover a key protein called dynamin and its important role in this process.
Contents
Early Life and School
Sandra Schmid was born on March 7, 1958, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She says her father, who was a high school science teacher, and her special school program helped her love science. In this program, teachers encouraged students to think deeply instead of just using textbooks.
She was the top student when she finished high school. In 1980, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in cell biology from the University of British Columbia. She also received a special grant for medical research during her studies there. Later, in 1985, she earned her Ph.D. in biochemistry from Stanford University. Her mentor there was James E. Rothman. In 2009, Dr. Schmid also earned a Master of Science degree in Executive Leadership.
Important Research Work
After getting her Ph.D., Dr. Schmid worked at Yale University from 1985 to 1988. She was a postdoctoral fellow, which means she was doing advanced research after her Ph.D. At Yale, she helped create ways to study tiny sacs inside cells called endosomes. These endosomes had just been discovered.
From 1988 to 2012, she worked at Scripps Research, a well-known science institute. She started as an assistant and moved up to become a full professor. In 2000, she became the leader of the Cell Biology Department at Scripps Research. In 2012, she became the leader of the Cell Biology Department at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Her research has greatly helped us understand how cells work. She studied how cells take in materials from their surroundings, a process called endocytosis. She was the first to find out that a protein called dynamin is very important for this process. Dynamin helps cells pinch off small parts of their outer layer to bring things inside.
Current Scientific Role
In April 2020, Sandra Schmid became the first Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub. In this role, she helps guide scientific research and discoveries.
Awards and Recognitions
Dr. Schmid has received many awards for her important work. Here are some of them:
- In 1976, she received the British Columbia Provincial Scholarship.
- From 1985 to 1987, she was a Helen Hay Whitney Post-doctoral Fellow at Yale University.
- In 1990, she received a Junior Career Recognition Award from the American Society for Cell Biology.
- She received an NIH MERIT Award from 2000 to 2010.
- In 2006, she was chosen as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
- In 2009, she received the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology William C. Rose Award.
- Also in 2009, she was elected as the President of the American Society for Cell Biology.
- In 2020, Dr. Schmid was elected to the National Academy of Sciences. This is a very high honor for scientists who have made amazing discoveries.
Personal Life
Sandra Schmid married Bill Balch in 1984. They both worked in the cell biology department at Scripps Research in 1986. She has two children. She often says that her supportive husband helped her balance her busy work life with her family life.
See also
In Spanish: Sandra Schmid para niños
