Mary C. Beckerle

Mary C. Beckerle, Ph.D., is a noted cell biologist, a nationally recognized researcher, a mentor and teacher to students and postdoctoral fellows, and an experienced administrator. She has a strong commitment to training young scientists and has taught a variety of courses in the biological sciences. Her dedication to teaching has been recognized in her being honored with The University of Utah's Biology Award for Excellence in Teaching—a nomination made by her students, many of whom now hold scientific positions nationwide as faculty members or researchers.

Beckerle developed the Multidisciplinary Cancer Research Training Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute and served for several years as principal investigator of a National Cancer Institute grant on this training initiative. She was also director of the Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Molecular Biology.

In the field of cell biology, her research has defined the molecular machinery that controls cell movement activity critical for organ formation, wound healing, and tumor metastasis. Her laboratory discovered and characterized pathways that control how cells sense and respond to environmental cues, including both chemical and mechanical signals. Genetic studies carried out in Beckerle's lab have demonstrated key roles for these novel pathways in embryonic development as well as normal physiology.

An active participant in national scientific affairs, Beckerle was appointed to the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Public Affairs Advisory Committee in 1997, and has served on strategic planning committees for the National Institutes of Health.