We have lost a dear friend and colleague, one of the principal architects who designed and built this department. Regents Professor Michael A. Wells died May 23 as a consequence of complications arising from aggressive treatment of leukemia. That same week, Mike’s grant proposal to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute for continued funding of the Undergraduate Biology Research Program was approved. So, even as we lose Mike Wells, his efforts on behalf of our students continue to bear fruit. Mike’s research group continues to operate under the guidance of Prof. Roger Miesfeld with the help of James Pennington and the excellent staff that Mike assembled. Mike devoted his entire career to the University of Arizona, and his legacy—excellence in both research and teaching, as well as outreach to K-12 teachers and school children—extends well beyond the university. Mike was a force on this campus, molding our current nationally acclaimed culture of involvement of undergraduates in research. He directed a world-class research program, but I think it fair to say that Mike’s real passion was for engaging young people in the fabulous fun of discovery. To say that he will be missed seems somehow trite, but I am at a loss to find a better way to say it.

Mike’s family and friends have established an endowment to support the engagement of students in research, and we are planning a MikeWellsFest (October 28-29) to celebrate his career and accomplishments. Please visit the Event Registration page for full details.

Tom Baldwin

Tribute to Mike Wells from John H. Law,
Regents Professor Emeritus