Lynn Margulis 5/3-1938 - 22/11-2011

Her contributions to particularly endosymbiotic theory, which is now generally accepted by the scientific community, ensures that her name will always be remembered. At the time of her death, Professor Margulis was ranked 9th by SuperScholar in a list of the 20 most influential scientists alive, stating that her "ideas about symbiogenesis have vastly enriched conventional ways of understanding biological evolution." "Scientists," SuperScholar goes on to say, "are perhaps the most influential people in the world today. They are responsible not only for the great practical advances in medicine and technology, but they also give us a deep understanding of what the world is and how it works. Their role in shaping the worldview of our culture is unrivaled."

The Department of Biology and Department of Molecular Biosciences are proud of having hosted her in september of this year for the purpose of a talk on the journey of her endosymbiotic theory from controversy to acceptance, which was very popular among our staff and student body. We are saddened by her demise which is a great loss for the scientific community.