Mary Wimmer Ph.D.

30 years of service

Mary Wimmer was recognized recently for 30 years of service to WVU. Mary was recruited to WVU in 1978 by Eugene Sander. She ran a productive laboratory for many years and worked closely with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources in their attempts to manage gypsy moths. Mary developed a sensitive mass spectrophotometer assay to measure the levels of dimilin, a pesticide, that was being sprayed over West Virginia forests to control the gypsy moth infestation. The WV DNR actively supported this aspect of Mary’s research for many years, and her contributions were recognized throughout the state; even former governors knew Mary Wimmer. A number of years ago Mary decided to put all of her efforts into teaching, an activity she not only loved, but for which she has received many honors and accolades from students and fellow faculty. She vacated her lab and freezers (full of forest materials collected and analyzed over the years for dimilin) relinquished her extramural support and immersed herself into the teaching arena, playing a major role in the education of professional and undergraduate students. Congratulations, Mary...!!

Professor of the Year Finalist

Professor Mary Wimmer was selected as a finalist for the Faculty Merit Foundation’s West Virginia Professor of the Year. Last fall nominations were made for this prestigious award and nominees were interviewed in January. On March 17, the five finalists were honored at a social gathering at the Governor’s mansion in Charleston and a banquet in the Cultural Center. Dr. Fred Butcher, Vice President of the Health Sciences Center, was in attendance to introduce Mary to the members of the Foundation, other finalists and their guests. Dr. Butcher recalled helping Mary move into her first apartment in Morgantown, when both were members of the Department of Biochemistry. He described her research and teaching career at WVU, emphasizing her teaching efforts, accolades and awards she has won for her teaching. From the time Mary entered the Biochemistry Department as an Assistant Professor, she has been recognized by both students and faculty as an excellent teacher. Dr. Butcher also described Mary’s passion for the environment and the work she has done to preserve the environment in West Virginia. Fellow WVU faculty member Ruth Kershner, Associate Professor of Community Medicine, won the award and the $10,000 cash prize.