A Fond Farewell to Outgoing Professors

Dr. Martha Powell has enjoyed a long and outstanding career that has covered five decades in the field of Mycology (the study of fungi). She broke a glass ceiling, earning her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 1974 when the biological sciences were dominated by men. Following a short time as a post-doctoral scientist, Martha became an Assistant Professor in the Department of Botany at Miami University where she quickly rose through the ranks, earning tenure in just three years. Due to her prolific research record, she earned the title of Distinguished Professor of Botany in 1994 at Miami University. Later that year, Martha took on the next challenge of her career moving to James Madison University where she took on a leadership role as the Head of the Department of Biological Sciences. Then, in 1997, Martha joined the Department of Biology at The University of Alabama as our Department Chair. During the decade that she led the department she oversaw unprecedented growth of the department’s faculty body, where she led the hiring of faculty in Ecology and Evolution, Cell and Molecular Biology and Systematics. Through her leadership the department research profile expanded both in depth and variety. Still today around 25% of our current faculty were hired during her time as Chair. In 2007, Martha stepped down as Chair to focus on her research and love of teaching. She remains active in research even today.

Dr. Bob Findlay retires after 12 years in the Department where he was appointed as the Bishop Professor of Freshwater Biology. Prior to his arrival at the University, Dr. Findlay received his Ph.D. in Microbiology from Florida State University in 1986. He followed the completion of his degree with a post-doctoral research scientist position at University of Miami. In 1988, he was then appointed an Assistant Professor at the University of Maine, and after 5 years at the University he moved back to Miami University. There he was promoted to Associate professor prior to joining the University of Alabama. During his time at the University, Bob led a large effort to enhance diversity in our graduate program and was awarded with a Department of Education Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Grant (GAANN). The GAANN program provided fellowships through the Department of Biological Sciences, to assist graduate students with excellent records who demonstrate financial need and planned to pursue a Ph.D. in biology. Bob’s contribution to the Department and University are also noted, where he served on several committees, most notably he was the department’s long-time graduate student coordinator and Chairperson of the Tenure and Promotion Committee.

Dr. Carol Duffy is retiring from the Department after 13 years of service to the University. Carol earned her Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in 2000 and following postdoctoral experience at Cornell University, joined the Department of Biological Sciences at UA in 2007, and she became an Associate Professor in 2013. Her early work focused on mechanisms by which Herpes Simplex Virus 1 proteins regulate viral replication, which expanded into numerous applications of and roles of HSV-1 and bacteriophage (viruses that infect bacteria), as well as research on the involvement of herpesviruses in chronic diseases. In addition, Carol is Chief Scientific Advisor at Innovative Med Concepts, LLC, a company developing a novel pain treatment therapy for fibromyalgia and associated diseases, as well as a diagnostic test for individuals displaying fibromyalgia symptoms. Carol is also a dedicated and recognized educator, teaching numerous courses over the years in the Department including Virology and Molecular Biology. This is exemplified with the honor of being recognized as a College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Teaching Fellow from 2017-2020. This balance of educator and researcher was highlighted by friend and departmental colleague, Dr. Julie Olson, who said, “Carol is a talented educator, striking the perfect balance of rigor, humor, and enthusiasm to keep her students engaged in her courses. She is an equally gifted scientist, whose creativity and attention to detail serve as hallmarks of her work… As a friend, her wise counsel, good taste in food and beverage, and appreciation for all things horse-related are greatly appreciated, and having her on campus to share in lunches and other exploits will be sorely missed.” ■