Congratulations, many thanks, and best wishes to Roberta Fuller, Ph.D., who has been named Professor Emerita of Biological Chemistry. Roberta's scientific insights, collaborative spirit, excellent communication skills, and musical ability will all be missed! Her retirement memoir, adopted by the Regents of the University of Michigan at their September 2021 meeting, is reprinted below.
Retirement Memoir of Roberta Fuller, Ph.D.
Roberta Fuller, Ph.D., Professor of Biological Chemistry in the Medical School, retired from active faculty status on August 31, 2021.
Professor Fuller received her B.S. degree from Yale University in 1978 and her Ph.D. degree from Stanford University in 1984. Professor Fuller was an assistant professor at Stanford University from 1987–94. Professor Fuller joined the University of Michigan faculty as an associate professor in 1994, and was promoted to professor in 1999.
Professor Fuller’s research focused on proteolytic processing and protein localization in the secretory pathway. This research resulted in numerous multi-year NIH funded grants, over 60 peer-reviewed publications, chapters in books and presentations at international meetings. A gifted teacher, Professor Fuller gave lectures for multiple courses including Biolchem 415/515 (Introduction to Biochemistry) Biolchem 578 (Biochemical Techniques), Biolchem 596 (Critical Analysis), Biolchem 452 (Biochemistry II), and most recently co-directed Biolchem 675 (Biochemistry and Cell Biology of Membranes and Organelles) with Dr. Phyllis Hanson. She served as both director and co-director of the Cellular and Molecular Biology Ph.D. Program over the course of 17 years. Dr. Fuller also served as the associate chair for the Department of Biological Chemistry from 2000–07. An exceptional mentor, she served on numerous thesis committees and mentored many undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students. Administratively, she participated in multiple committees in the Department of Biological Chemistry and in the Cellular and Molecular Biology Program. She received the Faculty Recognition Award from the University of Michigan in 2000 and the Distinguished Scientist Award from the Society for the Advancement of Chicano/Hispanic and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) in 2017.
The Regents now salute this distinguished faculty member by naming Roberta Fuller, Professor Emerita of Biological Chemistry.