• Skip to Content
  • Skip to Main Navigation
  • Skip to Search

Indiana University Bloomington Indiana University Bloomington IU Bloomington

Open Search Menu

The College of Arts & Sciences

Department of Biology

  • Home
  • About
    • Message from the Chair
    • Faculty
    • Research Associates & Postdocs
    • Staff
    • Graduate Students
    • Administration
    • Offices & Centers
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Outreach
    • History
    • Job Openings
    • About Bloomington
  • Undergraduate
    • Biology
    • Biotechnology
    • Microbiology
    • Molecular Life Sciences
    • Research & Teaching Opportunities
    • Honors Program
    • Advising
    • Awards & Scholarships
    • Student Experience
    • Graduate & Professional Program Preparation
    • Career Preparation
  • Graduate
    • Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior Ph.D.
    • Genome, Cell, and Developmental Biology Ph.D.
    • Microbiology Ph.D.
    • Biotechnology M.S.
    • Multidisciplinary & Affiliated Programs
    • Advising
    • Financial Support
    • Awards & Fellowships
    • Career Preparation
    • How to Apply
    • Life Assistance
  • Research
    • Research Faculty
    • Associated Research Faculty
    • Research Strengths
    • Centers, Instrumentation, & Resources
    • Faculty Awards
  • News & Events
    • Seminars
    • Discussion Groups & Journal Clubs
    • Named Lectures
    • Newsletters
    • Annual Microbiology Retreat
    • News
    • Events
  • Alumni & Giving
  • Search
  • Contact
  • Student Portal
  • Donate
  • Seminars
  • Discussion Groups & Journal Clubs
  • Named Lectures
  • Newsletters
    • BioNews Fall 2022
    • BioNews Archive
  • Annual Microbiology Retreat
  • News
  • Events
  • Home
  • News & Events
  • Newsletters
  • BioNews: Fall 2016
  • Biology remembers

Biology remembers

Monday, October 10, 2016

Within the past two years, we have lost five cherished faculty members. They had a tremendous impact on science and on our students. They were each unique and valued colleagues, and we miss their contributions and their character.

James L. Goodson, Professor

Nov. 11, 1965–Aug. 14, 2014

James L. Goodson, Professor was a prominent behavioral neuroendocrinologist known for his work on estrildid finches and his passion for field research in Africa. One of his many accomplishments while at IU was to develop new testing paradigms for evaluating sociality (preference for being with a flock) in zebra finches. Jim was an avid birder and environmentalist. He loved traveling and had a great fondness for Volkswagen buses Jim’s students remember him as an impeccable scientist and as a warm, generous mentor who lived a very large and full life during his 48 years.

Read the obituary

Jim Goodson
Courtesy photo

Albert Ruesink, Professor Emeritus

Apr. 16, 1940–Aug. 17, 2014

Albert Ruesink, Professor Emeritus was a plant biologist who developed novel methods for studying the cells of plants. Undergraduate teaching was his greatest love, and he shared this passion as the director of Biology’s Masters of the Arts for Teaching Program and the annual training sessions for associate instructors. Al was a tireless advocate for the Department of Biology. In 2013, he and his wife, Kathy, created an award to recognize those associate instructors who excelled at teaching. Al was active in Earth Care, which brings faith communities together on the topic of environmental ethics and climate change. View the last lecture.

Read the obiturary Read the retirement tribute

Al Ruesink
Photo by IU Biology

George A. Hudock, Associate Professor Emeritus

Mar. 28, 1937–Jan. 24, 2015

George A. Hudock, Associate Professor Emeritus researched the genetic analysis of phototaxis in a type of green algae. George was a gifted teacher, and his students quickly learned that he cared deeply about them, despite a rough exterior. In gratitude for his inspiration and guidance, one of his students created a graduate student fellowship in his honor. George’s educational zeal extended beyond IU; he participated in many outreach activities for the public. George felt a strong, spiritual connection to the American West, finding great peace in its wilderness areas.

Read the obituary Read the retirement tribute

George Hudock
Photo courtesy of IU Archives

John R. Preer Jr., Distinguished Professor Emeritus

Apr. 4, 1918–Apr. 22, 2016

John R. Preer Jr., Distinguished Professor Emeritus performed innovative research elucidating how microorganisms live, compete, and reproduce. With his wife (the late Dr. Louise “Bertie” Preer) working with him, John developed techniques that broke new ground in the study of paramecia during his seven-decade career. He was a pioneering geneticist and a teacher who educated an impressive lineage of students who are now leaders in the field. John built two large telescopes, creating legions of amateur astronomers in his neighborhood. He learned to sail and helped Bertie grow hundreds of orchids at their home.

Read the retirement tribute

John Preer
Photo courtesy of IU Archives

Arthur L. Koch, Professor Emeritus

Oct. 25, 1925–May 10, 2016

Arthur L. Koch, Professor Emeritus has been described as “one of the true Renaissance scientists of the past several decades.” He published on diverse topics from metabolic rates and cell growth to bacterial shape to even problems faced by migrating sea turtles! His surface stress theory, among his most prominent achievements, describes how surface-tension-like forces determine bacterial shape. Arthur Koch was a one-of-a-kind gentleman—quirky, intelligent, and interested in many topics, including not only science but also music, plays, the outdoors, and his family and friends.

Read the retirement tribute

Arthur Koch
Photo courtesy of IU Archives
  • Faculty + Staff Intranet

Department of Biology social media channels

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • Department of Biology

The College of Arts & Sciences

Indiana University

Copyright © 2023 The Trustees of Indiana University

Accessibility | Privacy Notice

  • About
    • Message from the Chair
    • Faculty
      • Tenured + Tenure-Track Faculty
      • Teaching Faculty
      • Research Scientists
      • Faculty Emeriti
      • Faculty Affiliates
    • Research Associates & Postdocs
    • Staff
    • Graduate Students
    • Administration
    • Offices & Centers
    • Diversity & Inclusion
      • DEI Committee
    • Outreach
      • K-12 Educators
        • Biology Summer Institute
      • K-12 Students
        • Holland Summer Science Programs
          • Jim Holland Summer Enrichment Program in Biology (SEP)
          • Jim Holland Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
          • Jim Holland Research Initiative in STEM Education (RISE)
      • Lessons
      • Outreach Activities
      • Outreach Coordinators
    • History
      • Faculty Emeriti
      • Historical Materials
    • Job Openings
    • About Bloomington
  • Undergraduate
    • Biology
      • Biology Learning Goals
      • Biology B.S.
        • Areas of Concentration
          • Biology of Disease
          • Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics
          • Integrative and Organismal Biology
      • Biology B.A.
      • B.S. for Pre-Professional Students
      • Biology Minor
    • Biotechnology
      • Biotechnology Learning Goals
        • Biotechnology BS Learning Goals
        • Biotechnology BA Learning Goals
        • Biotechnology Minor Learning Goals
      • Program Design & Resources
      • Biotechnology B.S.
      • Biotechnology B.A.
      • Biotechnology B.S./M.S.
      • Biotechnology Minor
      • Demand and Employment Analysis
    • Microbiology
      • Microbiology B.S.
      • Microbiology B.A.
      • Microbiology Minor
    • Molecular Life Sciences
    • Research & Teaching Opportunities
      • Research Programs
      • Biology X490 Independent Study
      • Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
    • Honors Program
    • Advising
    • Awards & Scholarships
    • Student Experience
    • Graduate & Professional Program Preparation
    • Career Preparation
  • Graduate
    • Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior Ph.D.
      • Steps to become EEB student
      • Curriculum
      • EEB Faculty
    • Genome, Cell, and Developmental Biology Ph.D.
      • Steps to become GCDB student
      • Curriculum
      • GCDB Faculty
    • Microbiology Ph.D.
      • Steps to become Microbiology student
      • Curriculum
      • Microbiology Faculty
    • Biotechnology M.S.
      • Program Plan + Curriculum
      • Financial Support
      • Biotechnology Faculty
    • Multidisciplinary & Affiliated Programs
    • Advising
    • Financial Support
    • Awards & Fellowships
    • Career Preparation
    • How to Apply
    • Life Assistance
  • Research
    • Research Faculty
    • Associated Research Faculty
    • Research Strengths
      • Behavior
      • Chromatin, chromosomes, and genome integrity
      • Developmental mechanisms and regulation in eukaryotic systems
      • Ecology
      • Eukaryotic cell biology, cytoskeleton, and signaling
      • Evolution
      • Genomics and bioinformatics
      • Microbial cell biology and environmental responses
      • Microbial interactions and pathogenesis
      • Plant molecular biology
      • Virology
    • Centers, Instrumentation, & Resources
      • Drosophila Research Resources
    • Faculty Awards
  • News & Events
    • Seminars
    • Discussion Groups & Journal Clubs
      • Microphiles
    • Named Lectures
      • Distinguished Alumni Award Lecture
      • James P. Holland Lecture Series
      • Carlos O. Miller Lecture Series
      • Hermann J. Muller Award Lecture
      • Norman R. Pace Lecture Series
      • Tracy M. Sonneborn Lecture Series
      • Joan Wood Lecture
    • Newsletters
      • BioNews Fall 2022
      • BioNews Archive
    • Annual Microbiology Retreat
      • Micro-lympics
    • News
    • Events
  • Alumni & Giving
  • Contact
  • Student Portal
    • Undergraduate
      • Biology
        • Biology B.S.
        • Biology B.A.
        • Special B.S. for Pre-Professional Students
        • Biology Minor
      • Biotechnology
        • Biotechnology B.S.
        • Biotechnology B.A.
        • Biotechnology B.S./M.S.
        • Biotechnology Minor
      • Microbiology
        • Microbiology B.S.
        • Microbiology B.A.
        • Microbiology Minor
      • Molecular Life Sciences
      • Courses
        • Course Scheduling
        • Biology X490 Independent Study
        • FAQs
      • Advising
      • Research Opportunities
      • Teaching Assistants
      • Honors Program
        • Eligibility
        • Honors Courses
        • Honors Thesis
        • Honors Faculty Advisors
        • How to Apply
      • Internships
    • Graduate
      • Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior Ph.D.
      • Genome, Cell, and Developmental Biology Ph.D.
      • Microbiology Ph.D.
      • Biotechnology M.S.
      • Multidisciplinary and Affiliated Programs
      • Courses
      • Transfer credits
      • Awards + funding
      • Financial Support
      • Teaching Support
      • Dissertation & Thesis Support
      • Services & Outreach
      • Submit News to Biology
      • Facilities & Resources
        • Computing Services
        • Constant Temperature Rooms
        • Dry Ice
        • Lactation Room
        • Room Reservations
          • All Rooms
          • Biology Bldg. 123
          • Biology Bldg. 248
          • Biology Bldg. A310
          • Biology Bldg. 422
          • Myers Hall 115
          • Myers Hall 209
          • Myers Hall 311
      • Student Academic Appointments
      • Bias incident reporting
      • Title IX incident reporting
    • Seminars
    • Ombudsperson
  • Donate

The College of Arts & Sciences