Mina Bissell was born in Tehran, Iran. Her early life in a culturally rich and scientifically inclined environment fostered her curiosity and intellectual development, laying the foundation for her future scientific pursuits. Her upbringing instilled in her a strong work ethic and a thirst for knowledge.

Bissell graduated from Radcliffe College (now part of Harvard University) with a degree in chemistry. This marked a pivotal step in her academic journey, equipping her with the foundational knowledge and analytical skills necessary for a career in scientific research.

Bissell earned her Ph.D. in Bacteriology from Harvard Medical School. This rigorous training provided her with expertise in microbiology and molecular biology, essential for her future groundbreaking work in cancer biology. This period honed her research abilities and cemented her passion for unraveling complex biological mechanisms.

Bissell began her postdoctoral studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where she began to investigate the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in cell behavior. This marked a significant shift in her research focus, leading her to question the prevailing genetic determinism in cancer research and explore the importance of the cellular environment.

Mina Bissell joined the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and has been a prominent figure there ever since, leading impactful research programs. LBNL provided a collaborative and innovative environment where her research could thrive and challenge conventional wisdom about cancer.

During the 1980s, Bissell's research at LBNL started to revolutionize cancer biology. She demonstrated that mammary epithelial cells, when cultured in a three-dimensional ECM environment, could revert from a cancerous phenotype to a normal one, even without altering their DNA sequence. This groundbreaking work challenged the dogma that DNA mutations were the sole drivers of cancer and highlighted the critical role of the microenvironment.

Bissell continued to develop and refine her model of cancer progression, emphasizing the importance of reciprocal interactions between cancer cells and their surrounding environment. She became a leading advocate for considering the tumor microenvironment in cancer research and treatment strategies, inspiring a shift in focus within the field.

Mina Bissell has received numerous prestigious awards and honors for her contributions to cancer research, including the Ernst W. Bertner Memorial Award, the Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction, and the American Cancer Society Medal of Honor. These accolades recognize the profound impact of her research on our understanding of cancer and its treatment.

Mina Bissell continues her impactful research as a Distinguished Scientist at LBNL. Her unwavering dedication to unraveling the complexities of cancer biology and her pioneering work on the tumor microenvironment have cemented her legacy as one of the most influential figures in cancer research. She continues to mentor young scientists and inspire innovation in the field.