Jo

Jo Handelsman

Jo
#18,633
Most Influential Person Now

American microbiologist, (1959 - ), New York, New York, USA

Jo Handelsman's Academic­Influence.com Rankings

Jo Handelsman
Biology
#1071
World Rank
#1842
Historical Rank
#560
USA Rank
Microbiology
#226
World Rank
#265
Historical Rank
#74
USA Rank
biology Degrees
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  • Biology

Why Is Jo Handelsman Influential?

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By James Barham, PhD

Areas of Specialization: Microbiology, Bacteriology, Plant Pathology
Jo Handelsman was born in New York City. She is Professor of Plant Pathology, Vilas Research Professor, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor, and Director of the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, all at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Handelsman obtained her bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Cornell University in 1979, and her PhD in molecular biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1984.

In 2010, Handelsman joined the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at Yale University, where her research focused on the microorganisms present in soil and insect gut. Handelsman is well known for coining the term “metagenomics” (genetic material present in an organism’s environment) and pioneered the use of environmental DNA in the study of antibiotic resistance. Also among Handelsman’s most critical findings is the revelation that the gender of a name on a science resume affects a professor’s inclination to hire, mentor, and pay applicants for a lab position.

In 2014, President Barack Obama appointed Handelsman Associate Director for Science at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, where she served until January of 2017. Handelsman has authored or co-authored some 160 peer-reviewed journal articles and has authored, co-authored, or co-edited 11 books.

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According to Wikipedia, Jo Emily Handelsman is the Director of the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery at University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is also a Vilas Research Professor and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor. Handelsman was appointed by President Barack Obama as the Associate Director for Science at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, where she served for three years until January 2017. She has been editor-in-chief of the academic journal DNA and Cell Biology and author of books on scientific education, most notably Scientific Teaching.

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Jo Handelsman's Published Works

Number of citations in a given year to any of this author's works
Total number of citations to an author for the works they published in a given year. This highlights publication of the most important work(s) by the author
19601970198019902000201020200500100015002000250030003500400045005000550060006500

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What Schools Are Affiliated With Jo Handelsman?

Jo Handelsman is affiliated with the following schools: