Efraim Racker

Scientist and Artist | June 28, 1913 - September 9, 1991
Photo collage of Efraim Racker

Ef Racker Lectureship in Biology and Medicine

Established in 1992, the annual lecture series honors Efraim Racker. This series brings to Cornell, eminent scientists who have made important contributions in the fields of biology, chemistry and medicine. Each scientist presents a public and an academic-technical lecture related to Ef Racker’s research. The lectureship is sponsored by the [Cornell University Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics][1].

Click on a title below to view more information about a lecture. Some lectures include full video or audio recordings and include the label “video” or “audio” next to the title.

Note: The 2006 and 2020 lectures were cancelled.


Previous lectures

YearSpeakerTitleType
2023Barbara MeyerX-Chromosome Dosage Compensation: A Single-Molecule PerspectiveTechnical
2023Barbara MeyerSex and DeathGeneral
2022Melissa J. MooreThe Science Behind mRNA Medicines VideoTechnical
2022Melissa J. MooremRNA as Medicine: COVID-19 Vaccine and Beyond VideoGeneral
2021Michael W. YoungChronic Social Isolation Signals Starvation in the Drosophila Brain and Reduces Sleep VideoTechnical
2021Michael W. YoungGenes Controlling Sleep and Circadian RhythmsGeneral
2019Dr. Richard LiftonFrom Genes and Genomes to Biology and Health VideoTechnical
2019Dr. Richard LiftonFrom Mendel to Medicines: New therapeutics from genetics and genomics VideoGeneral
2018Richard AxelOrder From Disorder; The Imposition of Meaning on Odor Representation VideoTechnical
2018Richard AxelScents and Sensibility; Representations of the Olfactory World in the Brain VideoGeneral
2017James P. AllisonCANCELLED - Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Cancer Therapy: New Insights into MechanismsTechnical
2017James P. AllisonCANCELLED - Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Cancer Therapy: New Insights and Prospects for CuresGeneral
2016Michael S. BrownHow Cells Sense Sterols VideoTechnical
2016Michael S. BrownWhy Hearts Attack VideoGeneral
2015Jennifer A. DoudnaThe CRISPR-Cas9 Genome Engineering Revolution VideoTechnical
2015Jennifer A. DoudnaCRISPR Biology: Basic Science and Biotechnology VideoGeneral
2014Philip A. SharpThe Amazing World of Noncoding RNAsTechnical
2014Philip A. SharpGenes to Biogen, Noncoding RNAs to Alnylam, Science to Innovation VideoGeneral
2013Ada E. YonathWhat was first: The genetic code or its products?Technical
2013Ada E. YonathLife expectancyGeneral
2012Lewis CantleyPI 3-Kinase and Cancer MetabolismTechnical
2012Lewis CantleyThe Future of Cancer Prevention and Treatment: Moving from Discovery to Implementation VideoGeneral
2011Aaron CiechanoverThe Ubiquitin Proteolytic System: From Basic Mechanisms thru Human Diseases and onto Drug TargetingTechnical
2011Aaron CiechanoverDrug Development in the 21st Century or Are We Going to Cure All Diseases VideoGeneral
2010Mario CapecchiGene Targeting into the 21st Century: Mouse Models of Human Disease from Cancer to Neuropsychiatric DisordersTechnical
2010Mario CapecchiThe Making of a Scientist: An Unlikely Journey VideoGeneral
2009Joseph SchlessingerCell Signaling by Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; from Molecules to Cancer Therapy VideoTechnical
2009Joseph SchlessingerJourney of a Biophysical Chemist in Biomedical Research VideoGeneral
2008Robert H. HorvitzGenetic Control of Programmed Cell Death in C. Elegans VideoTechnical
2008Robert H. HorvitzCell Suicide: Programmed Cell Death in Development and Disease VideoGeneral
2007Anthony PawsonProtein Interactions in Biological Complexity and Disease VideoTechnical
2007Anthony PawsonWhy Science Matters or How to get a PhD in Two Weeks VideoGeneral
2005Leroy HoodSystems Biology: Transforming Biology and MedicineTechnical
2005Leroy HoodEnabling a Predictive, Preventive and Personalized Medicine with Striking Opportunities and Challenges for Society VideoGeneral
2004Paul NurseCell Cycle ControlTechnical
2004Paul NurseThe Great ideas of Biology VideoGeneral
2003Randy SchekmanMechanism of Membrane Protein Sorting into Transport VesiclesTechnical
2003Randy SchekmanBudding Yeast and the Brain VideoGeneral
2002Susan L. LindquistProtein Folding Mechanisms as Capacitors for Evolutionary ChangeTechnical
2002Susan L. LindquistFrom Mad Cows to Psi-Chotic Yeast: The Bizarre Biology of Prions VideoGeneral
2001Robert J. LefkowitzRegulation of Heptahelical Receptors: Molecular Mechanisms and Physiological ImplicationsTechnical
2001Robert J. LefkowitzReceptor Regulation and the Development of New Cardiovascular DrugsGeneral
2000Eric S. LanderThe Human Genome and Beyond VideoTechnical
2000Eric S. LanderHuman Genomics and Human Society in the 21st Century VideoGeneral
1999Joan A. SteitzA Tale of Two SpliceosomesTechnical
1999Joan A. SteitzLupus, SNURPS and Molecular EvolutionGeneral
1998Gottfried SchatzA Novel Mitochondrial Import Pathway for Membrane ProteinsTechnical
1998Gottfried SchatzWhat Cells Tell Us About Life On EarthGeneral
1997Harold VarmusGenes, Mice and CancerTechnical
1997Harold VarmusThe Origins of CancerGeneral
1996David BaltimoreCellular Responses to Stress and ChangeTechnical
1996David BaltimoreCan There Be a Vaccine Against AIDS?General
1995Henry BourneHow Do Receptors Activate Trimeric G Proteins?Technical
1995Henry BourneStories about Biological SignalingGeneral
1994Robert WeinbergThe Retinoblastoma Protein and Control of the Cell Cycle ClockTechnical
1994Robert WeinbergGenes and the Molecular Origins of CancerGeneral
1993Sydney BrennerThe Evolution of Genes and GenomesTechnical
1993Sydney BrennerHuman Genome Research AudioGeneral
1992James D. WatsonThe Human Genome Project AudioTechnical
1992James D. WatsonThe RNA Tie Club: Its Search for the Genetic Code AudioGeneral