Patricia Jacobs is a geneticist who studies abnormalities in human chromosomes. Patricia was the first to describe the discovery of an abnormal chromosome in humans — specifically, the additional X chromosome found in men with Klinefelter syndrome, a condition that impacts cognitive and physical development.

She also provided the first evidence that the Y chromosome is male-determining in mammals. Her other research focuses include: the role of cytogenetic abnormalities in miscarriages; and, fragile X syndrome, a genetic disorder that can lead to a variety of developmental issues.

Patricia has received many awards in recognition of her work, including the 1999 Mauro Baschirotto Award of the European Society of Human Genetics and the 2011 March of Dimes Prize in Developmental Biology. Her services to genetics saw her named an OBE in 1999. In addition to being a Fellow of the Royal Society, Patricia was elected as a Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Sciences in 2010.