Ben Barres

Ben Barres
Born(1954-09-13)September 13, 1954
DiedDecember 27, 2017(2017-12-27) (aged 63)
Alma materMassachusetts Institute of Technology (BS)
Dartmouth College (MD)
Harvard University (PhD)
Scientific career
FieldsNeuroscience
InstitutionsStanford University
Doctoral advisorsDavid Corey
Martin Raff
Doctoral studentsBeth Stevens
Cagla Eroglu

Benjamin Barres (formerly Barbara A. Barres, September 13, 1954 – December 27, 2017) was an American neurobiologist at Stanford University. His research focused on the interaction between neurons and glial cells in the nervous system. Beginning in 2008, he was chair of the Neurobiology Department at Stanford University School of Medicine. He transitioned to male in 1997, and became the first openly transgender scientist in the National Academy of Sciences in 2013. Barres is also known for his pioneering activism for equal opportunity in science, often citing his experiences as both a male and female scientist.