Former biologist at Jackson Lab dies

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – Biologist William L. Russell, a pioneer in the study of the genetic dangers of radiation, has died at 92.

Russell, who died July 23 at his home, conducted research on the way radiation affected mice at the genetic level. His work laid the groundwork for the development of national and international standards for acceptable levels of human exposure to radiation.

Russell received the Enrico Fermi Award in 1976, one of the most prestigious science honors bestowed by the government. He was elected a member of the National Academy of Sciences in 1973.

A native of England, Russell came to the United States in 1932 and earned his doctorate at the University of Chicago.

He worked at The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor before coming to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 1947 as principal geneticist and chief of the mammalian genetics research section.

Russell and his wife, Liane, built the lab’s colony of mice with mutations of experimental interest. The colony became known as the Mouse House.

Oak Ridge honored the Russells in 2001 at the groundbreaking of a new Mouse House that bears their names. The lab is set for completion this year.