Robert G. Roeder

Robert G. Roeder is the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Professor at The Rockefeller University, leading the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of transcriptional regulation in cell differentiation, cancer, and homeostasis. He pioneered cell-free systems to study RNA polymerases and their interactions with transcription factors and cofactors.

Education: B.A. Chemistry (Wabash College, 1964); M.S. Chemistry (University of Illinois, 1965); Ph.D. Biochemistry (University of Washington, 1969). Postdoc at Carnegie Institution of Washington (1969–1971). Academic roles include Assistant Professor (Washington University, 1971–1975), Associate Professor (1975–1976), and Professor (1976–1982) before joining Rockefeller in 1982.

Research Interests: Elucidating how transcription factors and cofactors regulate gene expression in development, cancer, and immunity. Key areas include adipogenesis, brown fat thermogenesis, B cell differentiation, and oncogenic fusion proteins. His lab investigates Mediator complex, histone modifiers, and p53 tumor suppression mechanisms.

Awards: Over 20 major honors, including the Albert Lasker Award (2003), Canada Gairdner Award (2000), and Kyoto Prize (2021).

Grants & Advising: Mentor in the David Rockefeller Graduate Program and Tri-Institutional P.D.-Ph.D. Program. Research supported by extensive grants, including the Outstanding Investigator Award from the National Cancer Institute (1986).

Labs/Teams: Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, collaborating on transcriptional mechanisms in health and disease.