Congratulations to Sarah (Sally) C.R. Elgin

Professor Elgin's research focuses on the role of chromatin structure in fruit fly (Drosophila) gene regulation. Her laboratory has developed a number of approaches that have contributed to our understanding of how DNA is packaged in the nucleus, including how critical regulatory regions are maintained in an accessible form. Her current research focuses on heterochromatin structure and gene silencing. Studies of the small fourth chromosome have suggested that the selection of which regions of the genome should be silenced depends on an RNAi-based mechanism utilizing repetitious elements, fragments of invading retroviruses, or transposons found at high density in these heterochromatic domains. Last year, she was awarded a $1.25 million grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences for research in this area. She has published over 170 articles in refereed journals and received funding from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, American Cancer Society, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (see below). She has been named an "Outstanding St. Louis Scientist" by the St. Louis Academy of Science, and Washington University has presented her with its Distinguished Faculty Award.

In the late 1980's, Professor Elgin started working with the University City School District in a science education partnership, which has since expanded to create the Office of Science Outreach, whose mission is to serve K-12 students and their teachers through creative curriculum development and teacher professional development activities. Professor Elgin has been instrumental in directing Washington University's Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI)-funded Undergraduate Biological Sciences Education Program from 1992-2004. In 2002, she was one of twenty scientists nationwide to receive a $1 million grant from the HHMI to translate laboratory creativity to the undergraduate classroom, specifically in the area of genomics. Earlier this year, Washington University learned that the HHMI renewed Professor Elgin's funding, one of only eight original scientists to have their funding renewed. This most recent HHMI grant hopes to make Professor Elgin's Biology 4342 course, "Research Explorations in Genomics" accessible to students and faculty at other institutions. Professor Elgin's service has included leadership positions with numerous journals throughout her distinguished career; she currently serves on the editorial boards of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Molecular Cell, Current Opinion in Genetics and Development; and was co-editor in chief of "Cell Biology Education", where she remains a senior editor. She is a member of the University City Science Advisory Council and of the Scientific Advisory Board, Children's Discovery Institute, Washington University Medical School. She has devoted extensive time to Washington University, Arts & Sciences, and the Department of Biology, including departmental leadership with curriculum review, development, and evaluation.

In recognition of her outstanding service to both students and the community, Professor Elgin has received numerous accolades. In 2004, then-Missouri Governor Bob Holden presented her with a 2004 Governor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. Arts & Sciences students have twice presented her with a Faculty Award for her involvement in fostering students' academic development. In December 2006 she will receive the Bruce Alberts Science Education Award from the American Society for Cell Biology, and in May 2007 she will receive the Award for Exemplary Contributions to Education from the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Professor Elgin has trained over 40 undergraduate students, 15 graduate students, and 26 postdoctoral fellows, tracking their progress at every level. Courses taught include The Cell Nucleus; Principles of Biology II; DNA Science: A Hands-on Workshop; and Research Explorations in Genomics. She has also participated in teaching Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis; Hands-on Science K-8: Life Cycles and Heredity; Current Research in Chromatin, Epigenetics, and Nuclear Organization; and Ethics & Research Science. She is a frequent seminar presenter, conference, and symposia organizer/presenter to academic and federal institutions.

Professor Elgin earned a BA in Chemistry from Pomona College and a PhD in biochemistry from California Institute of Technology. After postdoctoral work at Cal Tech, Professor Elgin joined the faculty at Harvard University; she joined Arts & Sciences at Washington University in 1981, becoming a full professor in 1984. Besides her primary appointment in the Department of Biology, Professor Elgin holds joint appointments as Professor of Education in Arts & Sciences; and as Professor of Biochemistry, Molecular Biophysics, and Professor of Genetics in the School of Medicine.

Viktor Hamburger joined the Washington University faculty in 1935 as Assistant Professor of Zoology, quickly advancing to full professor and department chair, a position he held for 25 years. He was appointed Edward Mallinckrodt Distinguished University Professor in 1969; he assumed Emeritus status in 1969, but maintained a full research agenda through the 1980's. His research included landmark contributions in the field of neuroembryology and among his high honors were: election to the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts & Sciences; honorary degrees from Washington University, University of Uppsala (Sweden), and the Rockefeller University; and the prestigious National Medal of Science. He passed away in 2001, one month shy of his 101st birthday.