Professor Dr. Lois Pollack

Biography

Lois Pollack received her Ph.D. in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1989 and joined Cornell University's School of Applied and Engineering Physics as a faculty member in 2000 after completing a postdoctoral associate position at the Microkelvin Laboratory. Her research interests focus on determining the dynamic structures of RNA, DNA, and proteins over relevant time length scales using advanced experimental tools, including x-ray free electron laser sources and single-molecule microscopy. She has served in several leadership roles, including as the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the AEP from 2005 to 2010 and as Department Director from 2014 to 2020. Pollack has received several awards for her teaching excellence, including the Swanson Excellence Teaching Award in 2003 and the Chau Excellence Teaching Award in 2012. Her research contributions have a distinct focus on the development of instrumentation for novel, time-resolved studies of biomolecules, particularly examining electrostatic interactions and the essential roles of RNA and DNA in cellular functions. Her work encompasses various areas, including nanotechnology, biomedical imaging, and bioengineering.

Research Interests

Awards