Retirees (Extended

Marc Tischler

Professor Emeritus Chemistry & Biochemistry

Plans for Retirement

My wife, Jan, and I are participating in animal volunteer activities through the Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSAZ) and Happy Equine Acres Rescue and Therapy (HEART) of Tucson. Through HSSAZ our youngest Maine Coon cat (2 in Feb 2023), Larry, is certified for Pet Therapy with us as a team. Larry is now 20 pounds and still growing. We mostly visit nursing and memory care facilities with Larry. The residents, staff and visitors interact with Larry (many pet him). The residents look forward to our visits; Larry brings a smile to their faces. Larry also does monthly visits with UA students, through the Dean of Students office, who receive ‘pet therapy’ from him. We also participate in HSSAZ fund-raising activities. Additionally, the first Sunday of each month we assist with dog and cat food distribution to Tucson families in need. Through HEART we provide daily care for two rescue miniature horses (BlackBerry and Eagle) and a pony (Calvin).

Our family includes four grandchildren and four Maine Coon cats (15-20 pounds). We travel to see family and friends, or they visit us in Tucson. Using my Professor Emeritus status, I am continuing to mentor undergraduate and medical students, as well as to assist in teaching the medical students.

Accomplishments

• 1979 to 1985 – Assistant Professor of Biochemistry • 1982 to 1987 — Established Investigator of the American

Heart Association • 1985 to 1990 – Associate Professor of Biochemistry • 1990 to 1991 — President, American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology • 1990 to 2009 – Professor of Biochemistry • 1991 – Physiological Anatomical Rodent Experiment -1 on

Space Shuttle • 1992 –Distinguished Service award, American Society for

Gravitational & Space Biology • 1992 – Graduate College Award for Academic and Professional Presentations program • 1993 to 1994 – Dean’s Teaching Scholar, College of Medicine • 1995 to 1999 – Interim Head of Biochemistry • 1995 — Furrow Award — Excellence in Basic Science

Teaching for Medical Students • 1995, 2003, 2004 — Basic Science Educator of the Year,

College of Medicine • 1995 to 2021 – Director Medical Student Bridge Program • 1995, 1996 – BRIC-04/BRIC-07 Space shuttle experiments • 1997 –Furrow Award — Innovation in Medical Teaching • 1999 to 2009 – Associate Head of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics • 1999 to 2021 –Maximizing Access to Research Careers program (Director 1999-2012; Associate Director 20122016; Director 2016-2022) • 2002 — Distinguished Teaching, College of Science • 2005 — Life Time Basic Medical Science Educator Award,

College of Medicine • 2006 to 2021 – Medical Biochemistry and Nutrition Discipline Director, College of Medicine • 2008 to 2021 – Academy of Medical Education Scholars,

College of Medicine • 2009 to 2022 – Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry • 2010 — Peter Likins Inclusive Excellence Award • 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 — Graduating Medical Class Outstanding Teacher in Basic Sciences

Ihave worked with Marc for almost 23 years in the Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program. He has had a direct and positive impact on so many students in and outside the program. Marc always made himself available to help any student who was willing to be helped or receive advice. His unwavering dedication and attention to the students who came through the UA MARC Program certainly made it the successful program it is today.

—Cindy Neal, Assistant Director, MARC Program

Ellie Warder

Program Coordinator

Looking back at my 41 years with the department, there were 2 milestones that stand out as being memorable as well as important. The first instance was shortly after I started working for the Department of Biochemistry in 1981. At that time, the department was spread around campus, with department members located in the Arizona Health Sciences Center, the New Chemistry Building (now called the Carl S. Marvel Laboratories), as well as locations in the College of Agriculture. The plan was to pull the entire department together in the Biological Sciences West building, which happened in 1982 after 3 floors were added on the west side of the existing building.

Settling into BSW was trying at times. For the first few months, whenever the wind blew from the wrong direction, it would set off the fire alarms. Shortly after we moved in, a real fire broke out in the air conditioning ducts of one of the 3rd floor offices. Although there was plenty of space in BSW at first, after hiring several new faculty members, space became exceedingly tight, causing folks to look for creative ways to better utilize the available space. This is why the third and fourth floor hallways are partially blocked off.

The second milestone that stands out is when the Department of Biochemistry merged with the Department of Chemistry in 2009, creating the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (CBC).

I’ve been enjoying retirement since the end of 2021. I recently entered my cranberry salsa in the 2022 Arizona State Fair and won 1st place!! For the nearly two decades that I worked in Biochemistry (and later Chemistry and Biochemistry), Ellie Warder provided consistency, structure, endless advice, and a listening ear for the teachers who were working in the General Biology master’s program (later the MS Program in Natural Sciences). She was their first contact when they contacted the program to learn about applying, and the person who helped them understand the flow and requirements of the program. Along the way, she became a friend, mentor, and consistent touchstone for the teachers in the program. She was our public face, and the teachers often expressed their thanks for her tireless advocacy.

When I came to Biochemistry in 1998 to lead the MS Program in General Biology, it was my first “grown-up” job in academic. Ellie provided invaluable continuity and shared information about the program, the department, and the personalities of all involved, helping me to grow into the position. Her “students first” approach shaped my own, and I am grateful for the lessons she taught me.

—Lisa K. Elfring, Associate Vice Provost, Instruction and Assessment; Specialist, Molecular and Cellular Biology