GDCB Professor Diane Bassham was presented with a Medallion recognizing her as the inaugural recipient of the Walter E. and Helen Parke Loomis Professorship in Plant Physiology.  The event, which was held on October 25, 2013 in the Molecular Biology Building was hosted by the Iowa State University Foundation.  The presenters at the ceremony included Beate Schmittmann, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Jonathan Wickert, Senior Vice President and Provost; Jo Anne Powell-Coffman, Professor and Chair of the Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology Department; and Dr. Bassham.

As a Professor at Iowa State, Walter E. Loomis was a leader in his field, studying fundamental processes of plant growth and differentiation.  He had the kind of career that many biologists dream of – advancing the field, training students, and setting the stage for continued discovery.  The Loomis family established the Walter E and Helen Park Loomis Fund in 1981 to maintain and build upon that legacy.  In the past 30 years, this lecture series has brought renowned scientists to ISU to discuss cutting edge plant biology research, and it has inspired faculty, staff and students.  With great generosity and vision, the Loomis family has added to the endowment.  Some of these funds are set aside to continue this great tradition of the Loomis Lecture Series.  The new Professorship will further catalyze cutting-edge plant physiology research here at ISU.

Dr. Bassham’s research has provided new insights to the role of the plant vacuole in stress response.  Notably, she has discovered connections between stress response and autophagy, the process by which cells break down organelles or large complexes, enabling the cell to re-use the components for energy or to build new cellular structures.

Dean Schmittmann noted that, “there is only one Loomis Professorship of Plant Physiology at Iowa State University, and that’s Diane. It’s a badge of honor.  The endowment income is also important. It provides extra funds that help the holder advance her or his scholarly agenda.  The funds can be used for supporting cutting-edge research, attracting top students, and creating other opportunities usually not possible without supplemental endowment resources.”

Senior Vice President and Provost Wickert presented the Medallion to Dr. Bassham, saying a member of the Loomis family in California would also receive a Medallion, forever linking them to this inaugural professorship.

Dr. Jo Anne Powell-Coffman noted that, “Dr. Bassham sets a high standard as a scholar, a teacher, and a University citizen and colleague.  She is very deserving this honor.”

Dr. Bassham closed the ceremony by thanking those who contributed to her research success and this honor, including her family, students and fellow colleagues.