The Vision & Value of MCDB
Recent advances in the life sciences have set the stage for extraordinary new discoveries about the molecular basis of life and for the application of these discoveries to medicine, agriculture and wildlife conservation. A unique department among its peers, MCDB utilizes model organisms, small, easily manipulated bacteria, insects, and other organisms, to approach study in a way that combines genetic, biochemical, developmental, molecular, and cell biological methods. Our use of these organisms as part of our fundamental methodology makes us exceptional.
U-M Giving Opportunities
The University of Michigan is a global leader known for advancing all aspects of life: health, law and public policy, the arts and humanities, and science and engineering. Students and faculty have the opportunity to achieve more at the University of Michigan than anywhere else.
Christine Psujek Memorial Undergraduate Award
We are very saddened to announce the death in mid-November of Chris Psujek, following a long struggle with cancer. Chris joined the Biology Department in 1982 and then the interdepartmental Program in Biology after the department split into Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology in 2001. She was responsible for the remarkably smooth operation of all aspects of our large and diverse undergraduate programs. Chris helped over 15,000 students during her time in biology with her knowledge, compassion, and patience – a truly incredible legacy. Undergraduates will remember her for her ability to answer just about any question that was thrown at her and graduate students will remember her from the fair and organized way she managed GSI assignments. The faculty relied on her extensively in their role as concentration advisors as well as all administrative aspects of their undergraduate teaching. In 2008, Chris was honored by the College of LSA with the second annual Kay Beattie Distinguished Service Award.
Chris Psujek, who was part of the Biology Department and EEB and MCDB since 1982, died in mid-November, following a long struggle with lymphoma. Chris had run the undergraduate programs for the Department of Biology since 1987, and then the interdepartmental Program in Biology after Biology split into the departments of MCDB and EEB in 2001. She was responsible for the remarkably smooth operation of all aspects of our large and diverse undergraduate programs. Chris helped over 15,000 students during her time in biology with her knowledge, compassion, and patience; a truly incredible legacy. Undergraduates will remember her from her ability to answer just about any question that was thrown at her and graduate students will remember her from the fair and organized way she managed GSI assignments. The faculty relied on her extensively in their role as concentration advisors and in all aspects of their undergraduate teaching. In 2008, she was honored by LSA with the second annual Kay Beattie Distinguished Service Award. "Chris will be greatly missed by the many staff and faculty whose lives she touched over the years. She was truly the rock of our undergraduate biology curriculum and a shining jewel to all who knew her," said Professor and MCDB Chair, Pamela Raymond.
In memory of Chris, the Program in Biology has established a gift fund, the Christine Psujek Memorial Undergraduate Award. An award will be presented annually to the graduating senior who submits the best honors thesis in any of the biology concentrations. Donations can be made online at www.lsa.umich.edu/alumni/giveonline.
Contact Information
The University of Michigan Office of Development
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