Bay Area Scientists Honored with Prestigious White House Medals for Outstanding Contributions to Science and Technology

Helen Blau, a professor at Stanford University, has made a remarkable discovery about the body’s ability to heal itself using its own cells. For her groundbreaking work, she was honored with the National Medal of Science, the highest scientific award in the U.S.

On January 3, President Biden announced that Blau, who leads the Baxter Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology, would be recognized at a White House ceremony later in the year. Alongside her, other notable scientists, including Jennifer Doudna from UC Berkeley and Stanford cardiologist Dr. Paul Yock, were also celebrated for their contributions to science.

Doudna received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation for her role in developing CRISPR-Cas9, a revolutionary gene-editing tool. Yock was recognized for inventing the rapid exchange angioplasty catheter that improves cardiac procedures.

These medals shine a light on extraordinary achievements in science and engineering. Other honorees included pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna for their work on COVID-19 vaccines.

Blau’s research challenges the idea that specialized cells have fixed roles. She discovered that these cells can adapt and take on new functions. This concept, known as “cellular plasticity,” opens new doors for understanding stem cells and potential therapies for muscle weakness caused by age or inactivity.

“I found that cell identity isn’t set in stone,” Blau explained. “It can be changed.” She is currently working on a drug that targets an enzyme related to age-linked muscle loss, aiming to develop it as a treatment for muscle wasting.

When Blau received the news about her award while vacationing in Tokyo, she quickly altered her travel plans to fly directly home to D.C. She expressed her gratitude to her team, saying, “



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