UW News

April 8, 2004

Microbiology seminar with anthrax expert honors Neal Groman

The Department of Microbiology will present the first Neal Groman Memorial Seminar at 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 13, in room K-069 of the Health Sciences Building.


The speaker is Dr. R. John Collier, Maude and Lillian Presley professor in Harvard Medical School’s Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. His topic is “Anthrax Toxin: Structure, Activity and New Inhibitors.”


In addition to his research on the anthrax toxin, Collier is a major force in the scientific community’s efforts to combat threats of bioterrorism. He has been a member of several national and international advisory groups, including the Centers for Disease Control’s Panel on Countering Bioterrorism and the National Academy Committee on Research Standards and Practices to Prevent the Destructive Application of Biotechnology.


Dr. Neal Groman joined the UW Department of Microbiology in 1950 after receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. He taught and conducted research, focusing on diphtheria pathogenesis, at the medical school for nearly 40 years. He died in 2001.