Dr. Eric Betzig

Professor

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Biography

Eric Betzig is a Professor of Molecular Cell Biology and the Eugene D. Commins Presidential Chair in Experimental Physics at the University of California, Berkeley. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Janelia Research Campus and an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He earned his Ph.D. from Cornell University, with his early research at AT&T Bell Labs focusing on the development of near-field optics, which led to innovations in super-resolution microscopy. After leaving academia in 1995 for the machine tool industry, he returned a decade later, where he, along with Harald Hess, created a groundbreaking super-resolution single molecule localization microscope. In recognition of his contributions, he was co-recipient of the 2014 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Betzig continues to push the boundaries of imaging tools to facilitate biological discovery, actively working on correlative super-resolution fluorescence electron microscopy, and adaptive optical microscopy to improve imaging performance in complex multicellular specimens.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

2002-01-01 — Present

University of California, Berkeley • Berkeley, CA

Teaching and conducting research in Molecular Cell Biology and Experimental Physics.

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.