Spring Break
Brandeis chemist and professor dies
by Alana Abramson and Anya Bergman
News | 9/23/08
Posted online at 5:06 AM EST on 9/23/08
Prof. Milos Dolnik (CHEM), a research colleague of Zhabotinsky's, said in a memorial speech that Zhabotinsky was modest and worked on projects in his lab "just like any other postdoc or graduate student in the group."
His brilliance and expertise, however, were not lost on his colleagues. "He is a historical figure, so it was an odd sensation that he was just a few doors down from me," said postdoctoral fellow Masahiro Toiya (CHEM).
Dolnik called Zhabotinsky not only his friend and colleague but also "a skilled mentor."
In 1992 Zhabotinsky was appointed as a visiting professor in order to keep Epstein's research group running while Epstein served as Brandeis Dean of Arts and Sciences.
Zhabotinsky was reappointed as a professor by University President Jehuda Reinharz and taught advanced courses in physical chemistry. For the past several years he had been a research professor.
Epstein wrote in his speech that Zhabotinsky also collaborated with members of the Brandeis neuroscience program in developing models of synaptic transmission. Prof. John Lisman, who worked with Zhabotinsky on this project, described him as "an amazingly fast learner. He didn't know neuroscience initially, but as he learned more about it, he started to see the implications of his own work on complex systems in chemistry."
Dolnik said that when Zhabotinsky was diagnosed with lymphoma, he did not want "to trouble others with the news about his declining health."
Zhabotinsky was "a wonderful person, colleague and friend, and I'll miss him dearly," Dolnik said in his speech.
His brilliance and expertise, however, were not lost on his colleagues. "He is a historical figure, so it was an odd sensation that he was just a few doors down from me," said postdoctoral fellow Masahiro Toiya (CHEM).
Dolnik called Zhabotinsky not only his friend and colleague but also "a skilled mentor."
In 1992 Zhabotinsky was appointed as a visiting professor in order to keep Epstein's research group running while Epstein served as Brandeis Dean of Arts and Sciences.
Zhabotinsky was reappointed as a professor by University President Jehuda Reinharz and taught advanced courses in physical chemistry. For the past several years he had been a research professor.
Epstein wrote in his speech that Zhabotinsky also collaborated with members of the Brandeis neuroscience program in developing models of synaptic transmission. Prof. John Lisman, who worked with Zhabotinsky on this project, described him as "an amazingly fast learner. He didn't know neuroscience initially, but as he learned more about it, he started to see the implications of his own work on complex systems in chemistry."
Dolnik said that when Zhabotinsky was diagnosed with lymphoma, he did not want "to trouble others with the news about his declining health."
Zhabotinsky was "a wonderful person, colleague and friend, and I'll miss him dearly," Dolnik said in his speech.
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