Mourning Ben Barres, The Transgender Scientist Who Changed Neuroscience

Ben Barres, a neuroscientist who established the importance of glial cells, which comprise 9 in 10 brain cells but had been dismissed as inconsequential, died of pancreatic cancer on December 27. The cause was pancreatic cancer, according to a statement from Stanford University, where he was a professor and where he chaired the department of neurobiology until he was diagnosed last April.

“Ben was a remarkable person. He will be remembered as a brilliant scientist who transformed our understanding of glial cells and as a tireless advocate who promoted equity and diversity at every turn,” said Marc Tessier-Lavigne, PhD, president of Stanford University, in a press release. "He was also a beloved mentor to students and trainees, a dear friend to many in our community and a champion for the fundamental dignity of us all.”

Barres is remembered for his trailblazing scientific work, but also for the causes he fought for. He was openly and adamantly transexual, and was the first trans person admitted into the National Academies of Science. He was a tireless advocate for women in academia, and for his students. Professors often hold on to their students projects; Barre insisted they take those projects with them.  He was a figure toward whom a great many other scientists felt a strong emotional bond. I found this out last night when I posted a link to Stanford's news release announcing his death on Twitter, and was blown away by the dozens of heartfelt responses.

"Ben was a giant and will be dearly missed," wrote Mary E. Hatten, the Frederick P. Rose Professor of Neurosciences and Behavior at the Rockefeller University. The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation added: "The pipeline of drugs in development for #Alzheimers owes so much to Ben Barres. He was a visionary scientist and generous mentor."

"My PhD was on glial cell biology and I referenced Ben extensively," wrote Greg James, a pediatric neurosurgeon in London. "He made a major contribution to our understanding that glia are not boring supporting cells but have a critical symbiotic relationship with neurons. He left us too young."