On Aug. 3, the University of Notre Dame announced Frances Arnold will receive the 2026 Carrier Medal and lecture on “Innovation by Evolution.”
At the California Institute of Technology, Arnold is a professor of chemical engineering, bioengineering and biochemistry and the director of the Donna and Benjamin M. Rosen Bioengineering Center. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Princeton University in 1979 and later obtained a doctorate at the University of California, Berkeley in 1985.
Additionally, Arnold took home half of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry “for the directed evolution of enzymes.”
According to the press release, her lecture will “share recent studies from her laboratory that show how directed evolution of enzymes can teach biology to carry out entirely new chemistry.”
The lecture will take place in 105 Jordan Hall of Science on Sept. 14 at 5:30 p.m. with a fireside chat and reception to follow, according to Erin Blasko.
In the press release, Arnold explained that biology can do chemistry, invented by humans, more efficiently and less toxically and extend the field of what humans are capable of doing.
Arnold has steered her work toward applications that are best done by industry while encouraging students and postdocs to create companies, according to the press release. Adding, “Today half of her research group is working with artificial intelligence, and she and her students were pioneers in the use of machine learning for engineering proteins.”
Beyond her accolades, she shared in the press release the importance of making the work interesting in order to support women in choosing the field among their many interests. Noting when women do choose the field they “succeed very well.” She also explained that awards can reach science beyond the classroom.
In a statement to The Observer, Arnold wrote, “I am thrilled to visit Notre Dame as this year’s Carrier Lecturer and look forward to stimulating discussions with students and colleagues.”
According to its webpage, the Carrier Medal, taking its name from Joseph Carrier, C.S.C., is presented in honor of Mary Burke Ryan and is dedicated annually “in recognition of sustained, outstanding achievements in the sciences,” celebrating pioneering contributions that promote the betterment of humanity. The award rotates through scientific and mathematic fields and comes with a monetary award of an undisclosed amount.
Blasko declined to share the size of the monetary award citing the privacy of speakers.