Frances H. Arnold, a civilian scientific investigator who was trained by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), has won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Arnold, who holds a doctorate and teaches at the California Institute of Technology, was recognized by the Nobel Prize committee for her work in developing a process known as directed evolution of enzymes. Arnold initially developed the directed evolution process to address Navy applications, primarily in the area of sustainable and renewable production of chemical fuels. Scientists came to recognize that the ramifications stretch beyond that. The process is expected to prove useful in manufacturing materials such as biofuels and pharmaceuticals.
Arnold joined ONR 30 years ago, under its Young Investigator Program. She becomes the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize. The ONR now boasts that more than 60 Nobel laureates have come from the agency since 1952.
