Education
- Graduate: PhD, 1985, Stanford University
- Undergraduate: BA, 1980, Biology and Chemistry, College of Creative Studies, University of California Santa Barbara
Research Summary
The Vale lab uses microscopy, along with biochemical and genetic approaches, to peer into the secret lives of cells and understand how they move, divide, transport materials, and process information. The lab has focused for many years on microtubule-based motor proteins, kinesin and dynein, aiming to understand how they generate movement and transport specific cargos inside of cells. The laboratory also has investigated biochemical mechanisms involved in immune cell signaling. A new area of interest is studying how cells adapt to harsh conditions and stressors such as episodes of heat, cold or drought.Awards
- American Association for Cancer Research, Fellow, 2025
- Royal Society, Foreign Member, 2023
- Gairdner Award in Biomedical Research, 2019
- Shaw Prize in Life Sciences and Medicine, 2017
- Distinguished Scientist of the Marine Biological Laboratory, 2016
- National Academy of Medicine, Member, 2014
- Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, 2012
- Wiley Prize for Biomedical Sciences, 2012
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow, 2002
- National Academy of Sciences, Member, 2001