Lynn Margulis

Lynn Margulis (March 5, 1938 - November 22, 2011) was an American evolutionary biologist known for her theory of serial endosymbiosis, which transformed the understanding of the origin of eukaryotic cells. She proposed that organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts originated from ancient bacteria that were engulfed by other cells and formed a symbiotic relationship. Although her theory faced initial skepticism, it later became a cornerstone of modern biology. Margulis also advocated for an evolutionary perspective that emphasized cooperation over competition and collaborated with James Lovelock on the Gaia hypothesis, which views Earth as a self-regulating system.

Quotes

• People think the earth is going to die and they have to save it, that's ridiculous…There's no doubt that Gaia can compensate for our output of greenhouse gases, but the environment that's left will not be happy for any people.