Michael Eisen, American biologist and academic

Michael Bruce Eisen, born on April 13, 1967, stands out as a prominent American computational biologist whose career has significantly shaped the landscape of scientific research and its dissemination. A highly respected professor of genetics, genomics, and development at the esteemed University of California, Berkeley, Eisen delves into the intricate world where biology meets data science, using advanced computational methods to unravel the mysteries encoded within genetic material.

Beyond his impactful research and academic pursuits, Eisen is perhaps most widely recognized as a leading and passionate advocate for open access scientific publishing. This movement champions the principle that scholarly research should be freely available online to anyone, anywhere, without the barriers of subscription fees. His unwavering commitment to this philosophy led him to co-found the Public Library of Science (PLOS), a pioneering non-profit open-access publisher that has revolutionized how scientific findings are shared and accessed globally. In addition to his role at PLOS, he also serves as the influential editor-in-chief of the journal eLife, another significant player in fostering open science and improving the peer review process.

Demonstrating his broad engagement with public issues, Eisen even ventured into the political arena in 2018. He announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate from California, running as an Independent. While this endeavor underscored his commitment to public service and his desire to effect change beyond the scientific community, he ultimately did not qualify for the ballot, a common hurdle for independent candidates seeking to challenge established political structures.

Frequently Asked Questions About Michael Bruce Eisen

Who is Michael Bruce Eisen?
Michael Bruce Eisen is an American computational biologist, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and a leading advocate for open access scientific publishing. He is also the co-founder of PLOS and editor-in-chief of eLife.
What is "open access scientific publishing"?
Open access scientific publishing is a movement and model that advocates for scholarly research articles to be freely available online for anyone to read, download, copy, distribute, and use, without financial or technical barriers, beyond those inseparable from gaining access to the internet itself. This contrasts with traditional subscription-based models.
What is PLOS?
PLOS, or the Public Library of Science, is a non-profit open-access publisher co-founded by Michael Eisen. It publishes a suite of peer-reviewed scientific journals, making research freely available to the global community, and has been a major force in the open access movement.
What is eLife?
eLife is a non-profit, peer-reviewed open access scientific journal specializing in the biomedical and life sciences. Michael Eisen serves as its editor-in-chief. It aims to improve the way important research is communicated, reviewed, and evaluated.
Did Michael Eisen run for political office?
Yes, Michael Eisen announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate from California as an Independent in 2018. However, he did not qualify for the official ballot.