 | Dr. Laimonis Laimins at his investiture ceremony |  | Dr. Patricia Spear described Drs. Guy and Anne Youmans |  | Dr. Dennis McCance extolled Dr. Laimins |
The Investiture of Laimonis A. Laimins, PhD, as the Guy and Anne Youmans Professor of Microbiology-Immunology On September 24, Laimonis A. Laimins, PhD, was invested as the Guy and Anne Youmans Professor of Microbiology-Immunology at Northwestern University. Dr. Laimins, chair of the Department of Microbiology-Immunology, is the third Youmans Professor, following in the footsteps of past chairs Drs. Phil Paterson and Patricia Spear. The evening opened with J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, vice president for medical affairs and Lewis Landsberg Dean, welcoming the audience. Subsequent to his salutation, Patricia Spear, PhD, John Evans Professor of Microbiology-Immunology and the first female department chair at the medical school, shared remarks about the professorship benefactors, Drs. Guy and Anne Youmans. Formerly a Youmans Professor herself, Dr. Spear made multiple personal donations to the professorship fund after vacating the chair. Guy Youmans, MD, PhD, joined Northwestern University in 1935 as an instructor in the Department of Bacteriology. He rose rapidly through the ranks, and in 1949, was appointed chair of the department. He met his wife, Anne Youmans, MD, PhD, when she was a PhD student. They were married in 1945 and worked together as a research team for their entire careers. According to Dr. Spear, who spoke with Drs. Jim Duncan and Ronald Patterson, friends of the Youmans, the couple were not only nationally-known microbiologists, but also wonderful colleagues. “They speak of Guy as a real gentleman, a man of imposing dignity and presence but also very gentle and full of humor,” she said. Later in the ceremony, Dr. Laimins was extolled by Dennis McCance, PhD, professor of cancer research and director of the Center for Cancer Research and Cell Biology at Queen’s University in Belfast, Ireland. Dr. McCance described Dr. Laimins, saying, “He expects a lot from people, but he also gives a lot to people. His traditions will reflect well on Northwestern—the Youmans would be very happy with Lou.” In his own remarks, Dr. Laimins recognized his many family members in attendance, his colleagues, friends, and mentors, including Drs. Wolfgang Epstein, George Khoury, and Pat Spear. “She built a terrific department for me to take over, and it has made my job easier. Everything I have learned about how to be a chair, I’ve learned from Pat—so, all criticisms can go directly to her,” he said, drawing a laugh from the audience. Dr. Laimins earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from Case Western Reserve University, and his master’s degree in physics from Rutgers University. He was awarded his doctorate of philosophy in biophysics and theoretical biology from the University of Chicago, where he studied the regulation of potassium transport in bacteria. In 1994, Dr. Laimins joined the Department of Microbiology-Immunology at Northwestern University as associate professor. After serving two years as acting chair, Dr. Laimins was selected as chair of the department in 2006. Photo Credit: Nathan Mandell |
