Linda Buck

Linda Buck is a scientist renowned for her groundbreaking research on how our sense of smell works. She discovered specialized brain cells called olfactory receptors that detect different odors, and mapped how these signals are processed in the brain. Her work helped us understand how smells are perceived and distinguished. In 2004, she received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, shares this honor with Richard Axel, recognizing their contributions to decoding the olfactory system. Buck’s research has advanced knowledge of sensory perception, with implications for neuroscience, medicine, and understanding human and animal behavior.