Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology Lisa Stubbs, a pioneer in mammalian regulatory machinery, will be departing the IGB after serving for eight years as theme leader of the Gene Networks in Neural & Developmental Plasticity (GNDP) research theme to assume a vital new role as Senior Investigator at Pacific Northwest Research Institute in Seattle, Washington.

Neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis affect millions of people worldwide and yet, there exist no known cures. Multiple sclerosis, a disease that causes deterioration of the nerves due to miscommunication between the brain and body, was of particular interest to Illinois alumnus Scott Fisher. As an alumnus, Fisher had a desire to give back to the university but to also honor his late wife Bonita J. Fisher, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.