Norman R. Pace

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For the English actor and comedian, see Norman Pace.
Norman Richard Pace Jr.
Born1942 (age 81–82)
Indiana, U.S.
EducationIndiana University, University of Illinois
Known forRNA Processing
Scientific career
FieldsBiochemistry, Microbiology
Institutions
ThesisIn vitro studies of viral RNA replication (1967)
Doctoral advisorSol Spiegelman
Other academic advisorsDean Fraser (IU)
Notable students
Websitepacelab.colorado.edu/PI_NormPace.html

Norman Richard Pace Jr. (born 1942)[1] is an American biochemist, and is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology at the University of Colorado.[2] He is principal investigator at the Pace lab.[3]

Early life and education[edit]

Pace was born and raised in rural Indiana.[4] When he was a high school student, Pace attended a summer science program at Indiana University in which he worked in the laboratory of microbiologist Dean Fraser. His participation led to a co-authorship on a scientific paper.[5]

He graduated with honors in 1964 from Indiana University with an A.B., and later from the University of Illinois in 1967 with a Ph.D.[6] At Illinois, Pace worked under the guidance of Sol Spiegelman.[7] After receiving his PhD in 1967, Pace remained at Illinois for the next two years as a post doctoral fellow.

Career[edit]

In 1969, Pace moved to Denver and simultaneously held teaching positions at both the National Jewish Hospital and Research Center and the University of Colorado Medical Center for three years as an assistant professor of biophysics and genetics. In 1975, Pace was promoted to associate professor of biophysics and genetics at the University of Colorado Medical Center and he dropped his affiliation with the National Jewish Hospital. In 1982, Pace was promoted to a full professor of biochemistry, biophysics, and genetics.

In 1984, he moved to Indiana University as a professor of biology and was named distinguished professor of biology in 1992. In 1994 he was named distinguished professor of biology and chemistry.

In 1996, Pace moved to University of California, Berkeley as a professor of plant and microbial biology, and molecular and cell biology for a stay of three years before being recruited to the University of Colorado, Boulder, in 1999 as a professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology (MCDB). He was named distinguished professor of MDCB in 2008.

He was bestowed with an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Indiana University on May 4, 2018, and gave the inaugural Norman R. Pace Lecture on May 7, 2018.

He has worked with the NASA Astrobiology Institute.[8]

Research[edit]

Pace's research involved the synthesis, structure, and function of RNA and the application of molecular biology tools to problems in environmental microbial biology. Particularly this was the ability to study microbes that weren't easy to culture in the lab, by extracting nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) from environmental samples. This work is regarded as the beginning of metagenomic analysis, a new approach in studying organisms.[9]

Personal life[edit]

Pace married, divorced, and later remarried Bernadette Pace, a PhD microbiologist and a professional trapeze artist. He's also an avid caver, receiving the Lew Bicking Award in 1987 [10][11]

Awards[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Book of Members, 1780-2010: Chapter P" (PDF). American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 16 April 2011.
  2. ^ "Norm Pace — MCD Biology University of Colorado Boulder". Mcdb.colorado.edu. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
  3. ^ "Pace Lab- Dr. Norm Pace". Pacelab.colorado.edu. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
  4. ^ a b Microbiology pioneer and leader Norm Pace to present special seminar, Indiana University, May 1, 2018
  5. ^ Pace, Norman R. (August 24, 2018). "The small things can matter". PLOS Biology. 16 (8): e3000009. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.3000009. PMC 6126870. PMID 30142153.
  6. ^ Pace, Norman Richard (1967). In Vitro Studies Of Viral Rna Replication (Ph.D.). University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. OCLC 932256982. Alternate Link via ProQuest.
  7. ^ Watanabe, Myrna (September 6, 1993). "Huge Microbe's Value Lies In More Than Just Sheer Size". The Scientist Magazine.
  8. ^ "Norman Pace « Profile « Directory « NASA Astrobiology". Astrobiology.nasa.gov. Archived from the original on 2009-08-27. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
  9. ^ Fuhrman, Jed A. (August 1, 2012). "Metagenomics and its connection to microbial community organization". F1000 Biol. Rep. 4 (15): 15. doi:10.3410/B4-15. PMC 3410722. PMID 22912649.
  10. ^ Yong, Ed (July 20, 2017). "The Man Who Blew The Door Off The Microbial World". The Atlantic.
  11. ^ "Lew Bicking Award Recipients".
  12. ^ "Lew Bicking Award Recipients".
  13. ^ "Membership Directory: Norman R. Pace". National Academy of Sciences.
  14. ^ "Selman A. Waksman Award in Microbiology". National Academy of Sciences. Archived from the original on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  15. ^ "CU-Boulder Microbiologist Receives National Academy Of Sciences Award | News Center | University of Colorado at Boulder". Colorado.edu. 2001-01-18. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
  16. ^ "CU-Boulder Biology Professor Wins 2001 MacArthur Fellowship | News Center | University of Colorado at Boulder". Colorado.edu. 2001-10-24. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
  17. ^ Knoss, Trent (August 9, 2017). "2017 Massry Prize honors Norman Pace". CU Boulder Today.
  18. ^ "Academy Honors 18 for Major Contributions to Science". National Academy of Sciences (Press release). January 23, 2019.

External links[edit]

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