Barbara Jane McClintock (notable researcher)

Barbara McClintock was a pioneering scientist in genetics known for discovering how genes can change position within chromosomes—a phenomenon called transposition or "jumping genes." Her research on maize (corn) revealed that genetic elements can move and influence gene expression, challenging previous ideas of static genes. This work earned her the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1983 and significantly advanced understanding of genetic regulation, mutation, and genome organization. Her findings laid the foundation for modern genetics and biotechnology, illustrating the dynamic and complex nature of genetic material within cells.