Alumni
Profiles of Success
Millicent Goldschmidt Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Basic Sciences
University of Texas Health Center
M.S. Microbiology/Biochem/Mycology1950, Purdue
Ph.D. Microbiology/Biochemistry/Mycology 1952, Purdue
"My Purdue Experience has certainly helped me to have a marvelous life as a microbiologist and as a person," remarks Millicent Goldschmidt, a Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at the University of Texas Health Center. "When I was honored with 'The Outstanding Women in Science' award at the Houston Professional Women's Meeting in 1985, I was introduced as a 'Renaissance Woman'. My five years and a Ph.D. at Purdue certainly qualified me for a portion of this title." Describing herself as a "bench scientist," Millicent has led a successful and exciting career that has involved her in a number of research projects, as well as provided her the opportunity to interact with people across the globe.
Millicent began her career in science at Flora Stone Mather College of Case-Western Reserve University, where she earned her Bachelor's degree. Wishing to further her education, Millicent entered Purdue to work toward a Masters and Ph.D. "Biology in general always interested me and I took many subjects until Microbiology became the scientific area of greatest excitement," she says. "The depth in biochemistry, mycology, and bacteriology [at Purdue] provided me with a background that enabled me a broad choice of future research and teaching areas. I have taught beginning freshman chemistry as well as medical microbiology to medical, dental, and graduate students."
Teaching is an integral part of Millicent's career. In addition to her position at the University of Texas Health Center, she holds an Adjunct Professorship in the Department of Laboratory Medicine at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. "My interests have always revolved around interfacing with students from my early days as a camp counselor while in college to my present teaching on a more professional level." In fact, Millicent has even turned down offers of administrative positions at other universities so that she can continue to work in this capacity. "I have used this time to serve at the national levels of my career instead," she states. "In this manner, I can have more time to interface with students of all scholastic levels."
In addition to teaching, Millicent has also participated in exciting research areas. "I have been doing lots of fun things research-wise since I left Purdue," she says. While an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland, she was assigned a joint research project with US Army Medical Unit at Fort Detrick, where she studied the results of radiation and cavitation on bacterial survival. Seven months pregnant at the time, she jokes, "I would have liked to have had a picture of myself in my hard hat, kneeling behind a sand bag and pressing down on a plunger, blowing up a plate which propelled a pillow of bacteria into the air."
Millicent's dedication to research later enabled her to step in as "Coordinator of the Baylor Protocol," through which she helped NASA plan the biological system used to test the first moon rocks for their reactions with living systems, as well as the testing and isolation procedures to be used on astronauts. "Purdue has always 'bragged' about their astronauts. I suppose I should have let them know that there was also a Purdue Ph.D. from the Department of Biological Sciences behind the scenes who was instrumental in planning the biological experiments that tested the first lunar materials on biological systems!" Millicent proudly remarks. As a result of her experience with NASA, she developed an interest in the study of "biosensors." "While working with NASA, I realized there was no really rapid instrumentation or testing available," she comments. Finding that these elements are very important in diagnosing and characterizing microorganisms, at least half of Millicent's research has been directed in this area.
In addition to Millicent's love of teaching and research is a strong commitment to service. "Volunteerism should be directed to the community as well as to the profession," she believes. "Along the way in life should come the knowledge that part of one's obligations as a human being, as well as a scientist, is to help create a better environment for all." One project she is extremely passionate about is mentoring. "[While in graduate school] I never had a mentor to help me over the rough spots. This is why I support Purdue's 'Women in Science Program' and why I mentor students of all ages," she explains. The recipient of visiting professorships to universities in this country as well as developing countries, Millicent has had mentoring opportunities in many areas of the world. "At these visits with women," she comments," I try to use myself as an example that marriage, children and a rewarding career can all happily coexist."
Millicent also has a great deal of valuable advice to give to current biology students. "The area called 'Biology' can be represented by a big umbrella that covers many diverse fields," she states. She encourages students to keep engaged in all aspects of biology, as well as to gain a solid foundation in a variety of areas. "Someone considering one of [the biological] disciplines should plan to take broad courses in many of the sciences including chemistry, biology, math, physics, and computers. The broad basis of study enables one to opt for many different opportunities in academic, industrial, environmental, and government areas."
Professional societies are also useful for budding and established scientists. "Membership in professional societies presents the opportunity and ability to both mentor as well as help shape scientific and public policy," she states. Millicent herself is presently serving on the Council Policy Committee of the national American Society for Microbiology. The Texas Branch of the ASM recently honored her with a "Lifetime Achievement Award" and has permanently named one of the main Lectures at their Spring Meeting the "Millicent Goldschmidt" lecture. She stresses the importance of keeping up to date not only in one's own field, but also in the work of other scientists. One such organization she recommends getting involved in is Sigma Xi, which covers many different fields and allows one to interact with scientists with different approaches and backgrounds.
Finally, Millicent concludes that although many biology students may not know where they want to take their degrees, a number of career choices are available to them. "Hopefully, they will find an area sooner or later that will turn them on," she states, "so that 'work' becomes a joy, a salary a bonus, and life becomes more interesting and exciting."