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Scientists name bacterium for Frank Zappa

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February 19, 2014

In a tribute to eclectic composer Frank Zappa, scientists have named a bacterium for him. They were reminded of Zappa’s lyric about “sand-blasted zits” in his famous satirical song Jewish Princess when they named a form of P. acnes – the bacterium responsible for human acne – P. acnes type Zappae.

Scientists Andrea Campisano and Omar Rota-Stabelli said in a press release:

This bacteria is so unconventional in its behavior, and its new habitat is so unexpected that we thought of Frank Zappa. Indeed, at the time we were discovering it, we were both playing a Zappa album in our cars.

Thus history is made.

The legendary Frank Zappa, now with his own bacterium

Frank Zappa. He was a superb guitar player. — IMHO, Frank Zappa was genius on the guitar.

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February 19, 2014

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Deborah Byrd

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Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.