NYS Writer's Institute hosts Dr. Marlene Belfort and her new memoir, "Mommy, Can Boys Also be Doctors? A Message to Young Scientists and Other Humans"

Marlene Belfort at NYS Writers Institute May 2025
Dr. Belfort at NYS Writer's Institute, May 8, 2025

The Department of Biological Sciences congratulates Dr. Marlene Belfort’s outstanding scientific career and the recent release of her memoir, Mommy, Can Boys Also be Doctors? A Message to Young Scientists and Other Humans (May 2025). In recognition of her new book, UAlbany’s Department of Biological Sciences, the RNA Institute, and the New York State Writers Institute recently hosted a conversation (standing room only audience) on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 4:30pm, with Dr. Belfort, Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences and Biomedical Sciences where she shared her experiences navigating the daily challenges of balancing a highly successful scientific career with family life.

The event featured many of Dr. Belfort’s own personal journeys and endeavors but also included a discussion of her upcoming book, Mommy, Can Boys Also be Doctors? A Message to Young Scientists and Other Humans (May 2025). In it, she reflects on her decades’ effort in balancing a demanding scientific career with raising three sons while also navigating two major episodes of depression. Her very forthcoming story offers invaluable insight into how strength, perseverance, love, passion, commitment, and the support of others enabled her to succeed in both her family and scientific discoveries.

Dr. Belfort’s esteemed scientific journey began in South Africa where she was one of the first undergraduate women to earn in 1965 a bachelor’s degree in microbiology at the University of Cape Town and then an honors degree in biochemistry in 1966. She went on to receive her Ph.D. from the University of California, Irvine in 1972 followed by postdoctoral research at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Northwestern University.

Over the years, Dr. Belfort has been internationally recognized for her groundbreaking research on introns and inteins—the non-coding regions of DNA that play an essential role in gene regulation. She is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, a Fellow of both the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Academy of Microbiology, and a recipient of the International RNA Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Dr. Belfort joined UAlbany’s Department of Biological Sciences in 1985 and in 2003 she was appointed Distinguished Professor. Since 2021, Dr. Belfort has also held joint appointments in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and at the RNA Institute. In addition to her teaching, research, and mentoring, Dr. Belfort has been actively engaged with the UAlbany community through several important initiatives. She has played a key role in programs such as Women in Science and Health (WISH), Striving to Achieve Gender Equity in STEM (SAGE), and Graduate Pathway for Scholars (GPS)—initiatives that help promote equity and support career development for women and underrepresented groups in STEM fields.

Again, congratulations to Dr. Belfort and thank you for your continued support of the University, CAS, Department of Biological Sciences and the RNA Institute!