Lynne E. Maquat, Ph.D.
Lynne E. Maquat, Ph.D., the
J. Lowell Orbison Endowed Chair and Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of
Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, was named the 2014 Athena Award winner today at a special luncheon at the
Rochester Riverside Convention Center. The award, presented annually by the Women's Council of the Rochester Business
Alliance, recognizes women who excel in their professions, give back to their communities and mentor other women for
leadership roles.
Maquat is an internationally recognized expert in the field of RNA biology in which she works to discover new
cellular pathways and clues to the molecular basis of human disease. She is the Founding Director of the
University's Center for RNA Biology and in 2011 received one of the highest honors possible for any scientist -
election to the National Academy of Sciences. In addition, having spent her career advocating for young women in the sciences, Maquat founded the University of Rochester Graduate Women in Science Program (GWIS) in 2003. Elected for her exceptional research, which has been published in
more than 110 peer reviewed scientific journals, Maquat is one of only three faculty members from the University
of Rochester Medical Center who have been appointed to the Academy and the only woman.
The Athena award program was founded in 1982 to recognize and honor the achievements of outstanding female leaders
and introduced to Rochester in 1987. This year, Maquat was one of thirteen women chosen as finalists by the
Rochester Women's Council for their professional excellence, community service and active and generous assistance
in helping other women develop leadership skills.
To read more please see the Democrat & Chronicle article about the award.