1997 Bower Science Award Theme: Physiology
Dr. Brinster is the recipient of the 1997 Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science. He has made groundbreaking contributions to the development of methods to transfer foreign genes into animals and the use of these methods to understand the activity and function of genes. His pioneering work in developing conditions to culture and modify mouse embryos in the laboratory has had a revolutionary impact on contemporary biomedical research, with potential applications in such diverse areas as the treatment of human disease, basic research in cell biology and biochemistry, and the improvement of livestock.
Ralph Brinster studied animal science as an undergraduate at Rutgers University. He earned his V.M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. For the past 30 years, he has taught physiology to first year students at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.
Information as of 1997