Alumni Accomplishments, Spring 2008

Biochemistry alumnus ('83) to Lead Drug Discovery Research at the Southern Research Institute

Wilson Blaine Knight, alumnus of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (PhD '83) was named Vice President of the Drug Discovery Division of the Southern Reserch Institute in January 2008. Southern Research is a not-for-profit center for scientific research with programs in preclinical drug discovery and development, environment and energy research, and aerospace and materials engineering. Previously with GlaxoSmithKline, Dr. Knight was instrumental in placing several compounds into development, particularly in the oncology therapeutic area. 

BEES Alumna ('06) Authors Book to Help Scientists Talk to the Media

Holly Menninger, alumna of the Behavior, Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics Program (BEES) program (PhD, '06), is the co-author of a new book, Communicating Science: A Primer for Working with the Media.  Published by the American Institute of Biological Sciences, where Menninger is a public policy associate, the book provides tools and tips for scientists who are called upon to provide expert information on hot topics in science that pervade the daily news headlines.
Why not get your copy today?

Microbiology Alumna ('74) Joins Leadership of U.S. Department of Energy

In March, Dr. Anna Palmisano became the Associate Director of the Office of Science for the Office of Biological and Environmental Research in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). With an annual budget of more than $500 million, the Office of Biological and Environmental Research is the nation’s leading program devoted to the study of biology and systems biology with applications to bio-energy production and use and environmental remediation. Dr. Palmisano received her B.S. degree in Microbiology ('74) with high honors from the University of Maryland and her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Biology from the University of Southern California. Dr. Palmisano was previously with the USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service where she served as the Deputy Administrator for Competitive Programs, managing more than $200M in science funding. From 1998 to 2004, she was a Program Manager in the Office of Biological and Environmental Research, where she developed and managed a wide range of basic research programs including bioremediation, carbon cycling and sequestration, and genomics. Palmisano can be reached at 301-903-3251 or by e-mail at anna.palmisano@science.doe.gov

"Terps de Puerto Rico" Hold First UM Alumni Event in San Juan

In January, dozens of Puerto Rican alumni gathered for the first Terp alumni event in San Juan, Puerto Rico to reminisce about their College Park days and hear about the college’s recent successes.  Read more >>