George E. Fox

Professor George Edward Fox (born December 17, 1945) is a researcher at The University of Houston. Co-discoverer of Archaea, the third domain of life and the concept of a progenote as a primordial entity, with Carl Woese in the early 70's. While with Woese, he pioneered use of comparative analysis in prediction of RNA secondary structure. Using comparative analysis, he also recognized the limitations that RNA sequences could provide when identifying closely related species. His research centers around understanding the early evolution of life. He contends that one of the earliest components of the genetic machinery to appear in a form bearing resemblance to its modern equivalent was the ribosome. His research is actively involved in the search for biosignatures on Mars.

Fox received his Bachelor of Arts from Syracuse University in 1967, completed his Ph.D. at the Syracuse University in 1974 both in chemical engineering. From 1973-1977 he was a research associate with Carl R. Woese at the University of Illinois. He became an assistant professor of biochemical & Biophysical Sciences at University of Houston in 1977; he became a full professor there in 1986.

Fox is a Gold Life Master with the ACBL and has been a member of the USCF for over 50 years.

Awards

 * John & Rebecca Moores Professorship, 2006-2011
 * Elected Fellow, American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, 2002
 * Elected Fellow- American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1995
 * Elected Fellow- American Academy of Microbiology, 1994