The Brockman Lectureship

William Warner Brockman

1942-1984

Professor William Brockman received his B.S. degree with distinction from Cornell University, Ithaca, in 1964, and his M.D. degree from Cornell University Medical College, New York, in 1968.

In 1970, following an Internship and Residency at the Baltimore City Hospital and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Professor Brockman began his postdoctoral research training on RNA tumor viruses in the laboratory of Dr. William A. Carter at Johns Hopkins University. In 1972, he broadened the scope of his training to include the DNA viruses by joining the laboratory of Dr. Daniel Nathans at the same institution. This training was followed by two additional years of research in the laboratory of Dr. Robert Martin at the National Institute of Health.

Professor Brockman joined our faculty as Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology in 1976, and was promoted to Associate Professor in 1980. Professor Brockman's research interests centered upon the viral genes that are required for malignant transformation of mammalian cells. Professor Brockman's work appeared in the major virology journals, he was the author of several influential review articles, and he was a regular contributor to international workshops and symposia on the molecular biology of animal viruses. His leadership role in this important area of contemporary biomedical research led to his service as a site visitor for the Special Program Advisory Committee of the National Cancer Institute, and as a member of the Experimental Virology Study Section for the National Cancer Institute. Professor Brockman's work had been supported continuously for the past eight years by the National Cancer Institute and he had just received funding for another three years at the time of his death.

Professor Brockman's course on the "Molecular Biology of Animal Viruses" was a major strength in the curriculum of the Microbiology and Immunology program. He also played a key role in the training of graduate students for the interdepartmental program in Cellular and Molecular Biology. His deep commitment to his science and his students was an inspiration to faculty and students alike.

Professor Brockman began spending his summers on farms in 1954 and throughout his years at Michigan farmed his land near Dexter. He also was a certified soil scientist and an active participant in community affairs.

Faculty, students, and friends will long remember Professor Brockman for his dedication to science, teaching, farming, and the community.

Brockman Memorial Lectures