About Gayle Wilson
Gayle Wilson is an advocate for children’s healthcare and Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø education. She is the former first lady of California, a position she served in from 1991–1999. During her tenure as first lady, she helped found COSMOS, which connects high schoolers with prominent Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø researchers in the University of California school system. Wilson has also served on a variety of nonprofit boards, including the Âé¶¹¹Ù꿉۪s Board of Trustees. She competed in the 1960 Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø and is a member of the Society’s Honorary Board.
Science Talent Search 1960
Wilson (third from the right) discusses the molecular structure of free radicals with her fellow Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø finalists.
A lifelong supporter of Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø education, Wilson met with Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø finalists Christine Tsou and Scott Ryder in 1988 to discuss their projects.
Wilson’s 1960 Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø project explored the viability of a plant-based blood antigen test. Many years later, she said, “Being [an Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø] finalist was a defining time in my life.â€


