Beth Levine

Beth Levine discovered Beclin 1 as the first mammalian autophagy gene with tumor suppressor function, establishing the foundational link between autophagy and cancer that launched an entire field of research. Her demonstration that heterozygous Beclin 1 deletion promotes spontaneous tumorigenesis provided the first genetic evidence that autophagy deficiency contributes to cancer development. She identified the role of autophagy in innate immunity through xenophagy and revealed that exercise-induced autophagy contributes to the metabolic benefits of physical activity. Her legacy continues to shape autophagy research in cancer and beyond.