Whitehead Institute celebrates the legacy of Founding Member and Former Director Gerald Fink

Whitehead Institute celebrated the legacy of its Founding Member and Former Director Gerald Fink at a retirement symposium held on May 13.

Fink is known for his pioneering work in yeast genetics—discovering how to “transform” yeast, introducing and propagating foreign DNA into the organism, developing it as a genetic model system—which has also led to important advances in the production of pharmaceuticals. 

Beyond his own research, he mentored scientists whose discoveries have reshaped a range of scientific fields. For 17 years, he taught a course in yeast molecular biology at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Among its graduates, 30 became members of the National Academy of Sciences and three Nobel Prize laureates—two of whom spoke at the symposium. 

Fink’s prescient leadership as director had a lasting impact on Whitehead Institute, helping catalyze some of its most impactful contributions. 

The celebration of his legacy featured talks by current and former colleagues and alumni of the Fink Lab, many of whom are now leading scientists across the globe. It also marked the release of Fink’s book, The Creation of Whitehead Institute: A Radical Experiment, which recounts the Institute’s creation and chronicles its role in advancing scientific discovery alongside engaging the public in conversations about science—framed by Fink’s tenure as director spanning 1990 to 2001.

Whitehead Institute President and Director Ruth Lehmann said in her opening remarks at the symposium, “Through his research and leadership, he has modeled and shaped the ethos of Whitehead Institute, emphasizing courage, ingenuity, and inclusivity of thought.”

Fink’s leadership was instrumental in making Whitehead Institute a key player in the Human Genome Project (HGP), an international research effort to map and sequence  the human genome. Equally important to him was working alongside his  colleagues to educate the public about the legal, ethical, and social implications of this landmark scientific endeavor. Eric Lander, who led Whitehead Institute’s Center for Genome Research during the HGP said, “Gerry played an absolutely essential role in the success of the Human Genome Project---and it’s a story that’s not told enough.”

Over the years, Gerry Fink’s steady judgment and vision for the Institute earned the admiration of many, including Nobel laureate and Founding Director of Whitehead Institute David Baltimore, who spoke at the symposium. He had recruited Fink, along with Harvey Lodish, Rudolf Jaenisch, and Robert Weinberg, to be the Institute’s original founding members.

“I couldn’t imagine anybody who would be more important to bring in [than Fink] to the then-nascent Whitehead Institute,” Baltimore said. “We’ve seen 50 years of development of this institution—some of that under Gerry’s leadership; all of it with Gerry’s involvement.”

Alumni spanning decades presented their current research at the symposium and reflected on their time in the Fink Lab. They shared their most memorable interactions with him, and spoke of the profound and lasting impact he has had—not just on their careers, but on their lives. 

Mariana Wolfner, who worked in the Fink Lab from 1972 to 1974 as an undergraduate and is now the Goldwin Smith Professor of molecular biology and genetics at Cornell University said, “This experience cemented my desire to do research. But importantly, it also shaped how I treat my own undergraduate researchers—with the same respect and confidence in them that Gerry showed to me.” 

Fink’s sense of devotion—to his students and to the Institute—were echoed throughout the day’s tributes. “I am overwhelmed by the gratitude of my students from all over the world and the kind memories of my family members,” said Fink.

As she thanked him for his enduring contributions, Susan Whitehead, Founding and Life Trustee of Whitehead Institute said, “People felt safe with you, they felt very revealed to you, and your care for this institute was very clear—always, all the time.”