Nancy Bonini, PhD
Dr. Bonini is the Florence R.C. Murray Professor of Biology in the Department of Biology (School of Arts and Sciences) at the University of Pennsylvania and faculty in the Cell & Developmental Biology Department in the Perelman School of Medicine, with affiliations with the Cell and Molecular Biology (CAMB) and Neuroscience Graduate Groups (NGG). Beginning in her post-doctoral studies under Dr. Seymour Benzer, Dr. Bonini focused on using the fly as a tool for understanding the genetic basis of the brain and behavior. Since establishing her lab at Penn in 1994, she has continued to make significant contributions in the fields of genetics, molecular biology and degeneration using the fly to elucidate mechanisms of human neurodegenerative disease, brain injury and aging. Her pioneering work in this field has resulted in numerous accolades including a David and Lucile Packard Award, John Merck Scholars Award, being named an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and an NIH R35 Outstanding Investigator award. Dr. Bonini is also an elected member of the National Academy of Science, and elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, an elected member of American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and an elected fellow of the American Association for Advancement of Science
To learn more about the importance of fly models of degenerative disease, see Dr. Bonini’s recent lecture here.