Frances Arnold

Frances Arnold is the Linus Pauling Professor of Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering and Biochemistry at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where she has been a faculty member since 1986. She was the first woman appointed to the Chemical Engineering faculty at Caltech and currently leads the Frances Arnold Laboratory (FHA Lab) focused on directed evolution research.

Dr. Arnold's research centers on directed evolution, a method she pioneered that uses evolutionary principles to engineer biological molecules with new and useful functions. Her work has transformed how scientists create enzymes for sustainable chemistry applications, including renewable fuels, environmentally friendly chemical synthesis, and biodegradable materials. She approaches biological engineering from a practical standpoint, famously stating she wanted to do her experiments 'cheap and fast' to accelerate discovery.

Her scientific contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2018), the National Medal of Technology, the Millennium Prize for Technology (making her the first woman recipient), and the ACS Priestley Medal. Her research has led to multiple commercial applications through companies she has founded or advised, particularly in sustainable chemistry and renewable energy sectors.

Arnold has mentored numerous students and researchers throughout her career, building a strong research group at Caltech. She has been particularly vocal about supporting women in science and engineering, sharing her experiences as a mother of three sons while maintaining a successful academic career. Her laboratory website (fhalab.caltech.edu) showcases ongoing research in enzyme engineering and directed evolution.