In less than one month, one of the University's top researchers and administrators will hang up his lab coat and clear his desk in one of the University's highest offices.
With dozens of academic accolades and research honors under his belt, Vice President for Research Frederick Neidhardt - who has spent 30 of his 43 years as a scientist at the University - will retire from his administrative position at the end of December.
Neidhardt first came to the University from Purdue University to chair the microbiology and immunology department of the Medical School. He stayed as chair for 13 years before moving into a series of administrative posts.
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| DANA LINNANE/Daily Vice President for Research Frederick Neidhardt explains the uses of some of his lab equipment yesterday. The lab is in Medical Science II Building. |
When most people think of retiring, they probably could not begin to imagine what Neidhardt has planned.
With a rampant curiosity, Neidhardt plans to tackle the next phase of microbiology - integrative biology - continuing the work to which he has devoted decades of his life.
Much has changed in the field of microbiology since he was a college student, Neidhardt said. The study of a living cell has progressed to the point where it can enter a new stage of discovery, he said.
"My curiosity, really my whole life since high school, has been understanding what the spark of life means," Neidhardt said passionately, comparing the study of plants, animals and people to the study of minerals and rocks.
Neidhardt plans to work with two other University faculty members and one Parke Davis scientist to create a mathematical model of a living cell that would successfully predict how the cell grows, makes new cells and functions under different conditions. "Ultimately, to know that we understand it, you have to predict its behavior," he said. "Together, I think we'll make a powerful team at seeing if we can model a cell."
For the past five years, during his tenure as a University administrator within the Office of the Vice President for Research, Neidhardt said, he looked forward to the few scheduled hours each week he spent in his laboratory with his team.
Much of his research time has been spent developing how to examine a living cell through electrophoresis. Now he and others will try to determine how the cell's proteins work in relation to each other and under varying conditions.
Neidhardt equated his work with cells to that of a watchmaker with watches.
"It's ticking and moving and you want to find out how it works and you take it apart," Neidhardt said.
And Neidhardt is not only moving closer to research. He will be a student of mathematics and systems analysis. He will need to learn more in these fields to grasp new technological advancements, he said.
Although he is excited to pursue new endeavors in research and in his personal life, Neidhardt said, he reflects fondly and appreciates his experience as an administrator.
"This gave me an opportunity to see the breadth of the University in its richness that I think few people outside the administration can do," Neidhardt said, adding that he was constantly excited to see researchers from all levels and disciplines working together.
Neidhardt said that closing his lab will allow him to return to a society that has always supported him along the way.
"For me it's also payback time as a citizen," he said.
Starting Jan. 1, Neidhardt will become the president of the Foundation for Microbiology. The national organization was founded by Nobel Laureate Selman Waksman, discoverer of streptomycin.
In his capacity as foundation president, Neidhardt will appropriate funding to promote the awareness and understanding of microbiology through educational programs, including those targeting K-12 students.
Neidhardt said he will operate the foundation out of the new office he will have in the Medical Science II Building.
Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology in the Medical School Michael Savageau, one of Neidhardt's first faculty recruits when he headed the department, said Neidhardt was "very fair and compassionate" and that those qualities reflected in the offices he headed.
Savegeau described Neidhardt as a visionary scholar in the field of microbiology and noted Neidhardt's seriousness as a teacher.
"Even as an administrator, he takes the time to teach a course," he said.
A more local medium through which Neidhardt will give back to the community is through a program called Helping One Student to Succeed. The program connects Neidhardt with Ann Arbor elementary school kids who need to develop their writing skills and courage them to read.
With only a few exceptions, Neidhardt plans to partner up with his wife Geri Chipault for much of his "payback" work.
And finally, Neidhardt said, he will enjoy learning new skills for "playing" in retirement.
After flying in a four-seater plane, Neidhardt wanted to learn how to fly. Currently, he's a student pilot and hopes to get his private pilot's license next year.
Neidhardt said he also plans to visiting his grandchildren and three children and do some of the wilderness activities he enjoys, such as hiking and camping.
Throughout his years and different positions at the University, Neidhardt said he was enticed to leave, but always resisted the offer.
"When it came down to it, U of M and Ann Arbor offered me everything for my career that I couldn't leave," he said. "I just loved it here."
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