Professor Dr. Frances Arnold

Biography

Frances H. Arnold is a Linus Pauling Professor of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the Director of the Donna and Benjamin M. Rosen Bioengineering Center. She received her B.S. from Princeton University in 1979 and her Ph.D. from the University of California in 1985. Arnold began her academic career at Caltech as a Visiting Associate in 1986, subsequently serving as an Assistant Professor from 1987 to 1992, Associate Professor from 1992 to 1996, and Professor from 1996 onwards. She has made significant contributions to enzyme design and evolution, pioneering methods in directed evolution to enhance enzyme capabilities for applications in biocatalysis, pharmaceutical synthesis, and biofuels. Arnold's work has garnered significant recognition, including the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Her recent research integrates artificial intelligence and machine learning with enzyme optimization, creating novel biocatalysts for diverse applications. Arnold teaches courses that introduce the principles of rational and evolutionary design in biomolecular engineering, emphasizing both theoretical and practical aspects of protein and nucleic acid systems.

Research Interests

Experience