A pioneer in open-access publishing, he co-founded the Public Library of Science (PLoS) to make scientific research freely available, challenging traditional academic publishing models.
Michael Eisen, a renowned American computational biologist, is best known for his unwavering advocacy of open access scientific publishing and his groundbreaking work as the co-founder of Public Library of Science (PLOS). As a professor of genetics, genomics, and development at the University of California, Berkeley, Eisen has been a driving force in making scientific research accessible to all.
Born on April 13, 1967, in Boston, Massachusetts, Eisen was raised in a family of scientists. His grandfather was an X-ray crystallographer, his father, Howard Eisen, a physician, and his mother, Laura, a biochemist. This scientific heritage influenced his early interests, which ranged from collecting frogs and salamanders to exploring mathematics. Eisen's curiosity about the natural world led him to Harvard University, where he initially intended to major in mathematics but later shifted his focus to biophysics.
Eisen's fascination with DNA microarrays during his time at Harvard sparked a new way of doing biology. This experience laid the groundwork for his future endeavors in open access publishing. In 2001, Eisen co-founded PLOS, a pioneering organization dedicated to making scientific research freely available to everyone. This bold initiative aimed to break down the barriers imposed by traditional subscription-based scientific journals, promoting a more collaborative and inclusive scientific community.
Eisen's tireless efforts have earned him numerous accolades, including the 2015 Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the 2016 Hindawi Prize for Open Access.
Eisen's commitment to open access publishing is deeply rooted in his conviction that scientific knowledge should be a public good, not a privilege reserved for a select few. He believes that by making research freely available, scientists can accelerate discovery, foster innovation, and ultimately benefit humanity as a whole.
Eisen's crusade for open access publishing has far-reaching implications, influencing the way scientific research is conducted, shared, and applied in various fields. By making knowledge more accessible, Eisen's work has the potential to improve healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability, ultimately benefiting humanity in countless ways.
Eisen's outspoken stance on open access publishing has sparked debates and criticisms within the scientific community. Some have questioned the feasibility and potential consequences of open access models, while others have applauded his efforts to challenge the traditional publishing paradigm. Despite these controversies, Eisen remains steadfast in his commitment to promoting open access and increasing the transparency of scientific research.
"The idea that you can take the outputs of science and lock them up behind a paywall is just morally wrong."
Through his unwavering dedication to open access publishing, Michael Eisen continues to inspire a new generation of scientists, researchers, and advocates, shaping the future of scientific discovery and collaboration.
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Discovered the structure of DNA, revolutionizing our understanding of genetics and earning a Nobel Prize. Pioneering work in molecular biology has far-reaching implications for medicine and beyond.
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A Nobel Prize-winning physicist and biologist who contributed significantly to the discovery of the structure of DNA, using X-ray crystallography to produce the first clear images of the molecule.
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