The Beth Levine, M.D. Prize in Autophagy Research recognizes pioneers in the field of autophagy – a housekeeping mechanism that cells use to dispose of damaged components and maintain cellular health.
Dr. Levine was an internationally revered investigator best known for discovering the first mammalian autophagy gene, which she named BECN1. Her groundbreaking work demonstrated that autophagy plays a critical role in the determination of human health and as a driving mechanism in a broad range of human diseases. She is considered the founder of the field of mammalian autophagy.
The prize acknowledges Dr. Levine’s legacy as a world-renowned scientific investigator, ensuring her groundbreaking discoveries will be remembered by future generations of researchers.
“Dr. Levine was an exemplar of excellence in research. She has left a legacy through her fundamental discoveries as well as her trainees who were steeped in science through her mentorship. This prize honors her work and career that led to novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying autophagy and their broad implications for basic cellular biology and many prevalent diseases.”
— Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D., President of UT Southwestern