J Michael Bishop

Prior to joining the G.W. Hooper Research Foundation, Dr. Bishop was chancellor, Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock Distinguished Professor, and University Professor at the University of California-San Francisco. He was born and raised in rural Pennsylvania, and educated at Gettysburg College and Harvard Medical School. Dr. Bishop began his research career working on the replication of poliovirus. In 1970, he was joined by Dr. Harold Varmus. Together, they directed the research that led to the discovery of proto-oncogenes – normal genes that can be converted to cancer genes by genetic damage. This work eventually led to the recognition that all cancer probably arises from damage to normal genes, and provided new strategies for the detection and treatment of cancer. Drs. Bishop and Varmus have shared numerous awards for this work, including the 1989 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, and both have received the National Medal of Science. Dr. Bishop has devoted his subsequent research to the study of proto-oncogenes – their functions in normal cells and the manner in which they become cancer genes. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. Dr. Bishop joined the BWF Board in October 2007.