Dr. Tracy Nixon

Biography

B. Tracy Nixon is an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Penn State University. He earned his PhD in Cell Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and completed postdoctoral appointments at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. Joining the BMB Department at Penn State in 1987, he has contributed significantly to the field by studying two-component signal transduction mechanisms in bacteria and the synthesis of cellulose in plants. Dr. Nixon's research applies techniques from bioinformatics, molecular genetics, biochemistry, and biophysics, particularly focusing on the interaction and regulation of specific enzymes involved in cellulose production. He has taught various courses, including 'Computers for Biochemists', and served on multiple university committees, demonstrating his commitment to academic governance and student education. Dr. Nixon's work has received recognition, including the Ten Ten Scientific Ideas Award from the Department of Energy Office of Science, highlighting his contributions to understanding plant cellulose synthase. Throughout his career, he has published extensively, with numerous articles in respected scientific journals that detail his findings on bacterial and plant cellular processes.

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