Evelyn M. Witkin, an esteemed scientist known for her groundbreaking discovery in DNA repair and its implications for cancer treatment and genetic disorders, passed away at the age of 102 in Plainsboro Township, N.J. She had been residing in a rehabilitation facility following complications from a fall.
Dr. Witkin’s career began during the early days of genetic research in the late 1940s. Her focus was on understanding how radiation damages DNA and triggers a repair mechanism called the SOS response. This mechanism produces enzymes that aid in repairing damaged DNA. However, this process is not perfect and can result in mutations, known as mutagenesis.
Her collaboration with Miroslav Radman led to significant findings regarding the influence of solar radiation and environmental chemicals on human genetic makeup. Her discovery of the coordinated stress response in cells had profound implications for understanding evolution and mutagenesis as it relates to tumors.
Dr. Witkin’s journey in genetics started as a graduate student at Columbia, where she worked at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Despite having no background in microbiology at the time, she conducted experiments that resulted in the identification of bacterial colonies that survived exposure to a germicidal ultraviolet lamp. This discovery sparked her curiosity and set her on a research path that would span nearly half a century.
Throughout her career, Dr. Witkin conducted research at prestigious institutions such as the Downstate Medical Center at the State University of New York, Brooklyn, and Rutgers University. Her groundbreaking work earned her numerous accolades, including the National Medal of Science in 2002 and the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research in 2015, alongside fellow geneticist Stephen J. Elledge.
Described as a visionary with a remarkable ability to tackle fundamental biological questions, Dr. Witkin’s ideas have stood the test of time and have been validated through advancements in experimental techniques and molecular probes.
Born Evelyn Ruth Maisel on March 9, 1921, in Manhattan, she grew up in Forest Hills, Queens. She attended New York University, where she studied zoology and actively participated in protests against racial discrimination in sports. Her activism led to her suspension from the university but ultimately led her to pursue a Ph.D. at Columbia.
Dr. Witkin’s time at Columbia proved transformative as she debunked the prevailing theory denying the existence of genes and embraced the idea of genetic mutations through her mentor Theodosius Dobzhansky. She was particularly inspired by Salvador Luria and Max Delbrück’s research on DNA and its role in bacterial genetics.
In 1943, Dr. Witkin married psychologist Herman Witkin, and they had two sons. She continued her scientific endeavors at various institutions and became the director of the Waksman Institute of Microbiology at Rutgers. Her contributions were recognized on her 100th birthday in 2021 when the institute renamed one of its research laboratories in her honor.
Dr. Witkin leaves behind a lasting legacy in the field of genetics. Her groundbreaking discoveries and unwavering commitment to scientific inquiry have paved the way for advancements in cancer treatment, genetic research, and our understanding of DNA repair mechanisms. She is survived by her son, Joseph, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Sadly, her other son, Andrew, passed away in 2010.
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