Introducing our next LGBTQIA+ History Month Top Pick, Ben Barres! Brought to you by Queermunity's very own Research Support Team, Jake Wiles.
Ben Barres (1954-2017) has been quoted as ‘a role model for role models’ (Yong 2018). As a pioneer in modern Neuroscience, he is most widely known for discovering the crucial roles of glial cells (Barres 1991). Most people know that the brain is made up of neurons (nerves cells) which carry electrical impulses around the brain, but it is the glia (the collective term for these other cells) that are responsible for a wide variety of brain function (Allen and Barres 2009). His discovery revolutionised the field of neurobiology and the way we study the brain.
But even despite his scientific success, Barres was an inspiring human. Passionate about the work he did, Barres mentored and supported students, inspiring a generation of neurobiologists. He also used his keynote talks to advocate for groups who have been historically marginalized in the sciences, including women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ people. From his personal experiences of the biases and systemic barriers that keep such groups from succeeding in their careers, Barres paved the way for a more inclusive scientific discipline.
"Inspiring a generation of neurobiologists...Barres paved the way for a more inclusive scientific discipline."
Despite all the challenges he faced, including being face blind (a condition called prosopagnosia) and navigating the world as a transgender man, Barres always remained kind, compassionate, and curious, right up until the end when cancer concluded his research journey at the age of 63.
There are precious few role models to guide the way for trans folk like myself, particularly in the scientific discipline. It can often feel like a lonely road to navigate a transgender journey in a cisgender world. But pioneers like Barres are proof that these journeys are possible.
And how do we get there? Well as he says - ‘great science starts with curiosity’ (Worldview Stanford 2017).
Article Written By Jake Wiles
(He/Him)
Works Cited
Allen, N.J. and Barres, B.A., 2009. Glia—more than just brain glue. Nature, 457(7230), pp.675-677.
Barres, B.A., 1991. New roles for glia. Journal of Neuroscience, 11(12), pp.3685-3694.
Worldview Stanford. (2017). Ben Barres on beauty and curiosity in science. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uau77VmPqqg&feature=youtu.be
Yong, E. (2018). The Transgender Scientist Who Changed How We See The Brain. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/01/remembering-the-transgender-scientist-who-changed-our-understanding-of-the-brain/549458/