IN MEMORIAM

Marion G. Miller

Professor of Environmental Toxicology

UC Davis

1956-2011

At a time when we hear a lot of discussion about whether we can expect faculty to function well in all three areas of academic life-namely teaching, research and service, we have an example of a colleague, Dr. Marion Miller, whose efforts had significant impacts at the University of California in all three areas.

 

Students often look for a role model to pattern their career development and their professional behavior; there was none better than Marion Miller. Despite the fact that she did a lot of teaching in both the undergraduate and graduate curricula, was heavily involved in demanding committee service, and ran a robust research program, she always made time for students. That was a priority for her from the day she joined our campus to her last days at work. Her unassuming demeanor and dry sense of humor put students at ease. Marion Miller had a natural ability to engage students in a classroom but what distinguished her teaching was her ability to draw all of the parts of a lecture together to build a story. No one ever left her lectures wondering what the take home message was—it was clear from start to finish and buttressed with the details throughout the lecture. One of Marion’s many interests was training the next generation of scientists, and she believed in engaging students early in their careers. For nearly 10 years she was director of a NIEHS sponsored summer program that provided research experiences for talented undergraduate students. She combined her own personal touch, which involved matching student interests with appropriate faculty, with a well-organized series of lectures which helped students understand the demands and rewards of a career in science. Many of the students coming through that program went on for doctoral/professional education and to successful careers. Reaching out to even younger and broader groups, she was the K-12 Education Coordinator and initiated the Environmental Toxicology Community Advisory team for the NIEHS Center for Environmental Health Sciences.

 

Marion Miller ran a robust research program focused on the fundamental biochemical and molecular mechanisms for male reproductive toxicity associated with exposure to hazardous chemicals. Early in her career she studied the fundamental mechanisms of toxicity of nitroaromatic compounds, a group of chemicals broadly distributed in the environment primarily through the combustion of fossil fuels and present in several hazardous waste sites as spent munitions. She then turned her attention to various pesticides, including molinate, where she was able to demonstrate with very detailed and elegant studies that testicular metabolism of the parent compound and the covalent interactions with critical cellular proteins was key to the toxicity.

 

Her reputation in the area of reproductive toxicology and her ability to critically evaluate toxicity data assured her a spot on the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee for the State of California. She was originally appointed to this committee by Governor Pete Wilson and was named chair of the committee by Governor Gray Davis. The committee was charged with responsibility for identifying those environmental/industrial compounds likely to pose a hazard to the state’s population. As is so often the case, data on many of these compounds are incomplete and most of what is available comes from animal studies. The challenge then is in setting limits which protect human and environmental health without affecting the proper use of chemicals that are essential for a prosperous state.

 

Marion Miller held several major administrative positions in her 25 years at the University. She served as chair of the Department of Environmental Toxicology from 1998 to 2003, as chair of the Committee on Committees, and as chair of the Committee on Research. For her, none of these were passive activities. She always strived to improve the academic environment. She showed a proclivity toward administrative effectiveness from her early days on campus. One of us, newly arrived, recalls vividly accompanying her nearly 20 years ago to a meeting with our Department chair and dean. The dean had great ambitions to reorganize the College despite considerable faculty reluctance. He floated a number of trial balloons to us. Marion did not accept that underlings wisely stay tacit while the upper echelons call the shots. In a gentle voice and with a sweet smile, while barely concealing her glee, she eagerly popped each balloon. She was a ready source of inside information on administrative matters. When we wished to know how to proceed on contentious issues, she provided a level headed reality check.

 

Two additional areas of major administrative responsibility included serving as the Associate Director of the Toxic Substances Research and Training Program (TSRTP) and as the Western Regional Director of the IR-4 program, both for a period of 8 years. The TSRTP was designed to enhance toxicology research and training at all 10 campuses of the university system and required bridge building to individuals at all 10 campuses. The IR-4 program, which is funded by the USDA, is in place to promote proper pest control for minor use crops.

 

Dr. Miller’s deep commitment to her university career did not prevent an ongoing engagement with her Scottish cultural heritage, frequent encounters with the oceans that she loved, both North Atlantic and Pacific, and establishment of a warm and lively home and family life with her husband, Michael Sears, in nearby Winters. Their two children, Sophie and Thomas, have attended UC Davis and are headed toward careers which will reflect their mother’s commitment to excellence.

 

As was typical of Dr. Miller’s approach to her academic life, which can only be characterized as a no nonsense, no frills, can do approach, she faced the disease, pancreatic cancer, that eventually took her life with the attitude that she was going to fight the disease to the end. She survived more than 18 months after diagnosis. Her colleagues and friends acknowledge a debt of gratitude for her professional contributions and personal support at a Celebration of Life held on April 11, 2011.