For pioneering research on biofuels and chemicals that could lead to the replacement of pollution-generating materials.

Frances Arnold has never cared much for ‘tradition.’ As a high schooler, she moved into her own apartment and paid the bills as a waitress and cab driver. As a chemical engineer and biochemist, she has found a groundbreaking way to harness her fierce independence and drive to succeed.

Arnold specializes in the creation of new proteins with an eye towards those that have applications in medicine and clean energy. What makes her stand out in her field is that rather than meticulously create proteins piece by painstaking piece, Arnold has come up with a way to take over from nature and direct evolution.. Continue reading.